Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-06
In Convention OF Representatives Elect.

AUGUSTA. Wednesday. Jan. 5th. 1881.
In accordance with the provisions of the
Laws and Constitution of the State of Maine
the Representatives-elect OF the Sixtieth
Legislature assembled in their Hall and at
1920 o'clock A. VI. were calledto order by Or
amandel Smith, Esq. Clerk of the last
House.
Prayer by Rev. DR.. Butler of IIallowell.
The following communication was received
and read by the Clerk:
STATE OF MAINE.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
To the Clerk Of the House of Representa-
tires: In compliance with sec. 81. chap. >
of the revised statutes hereby certify that
the following are the names and residences
of the Representatives-eect TO the Sixtieth
Legislature, as appears by the reports of the
Governor and Council under dates ofNovem-
Der 90. December lst and December 2lst.
1880.
S. J.CHApBouRNE.
Secretary of State.
The Clerk then proceeded to call the roll
accompanying the communication, and one
hundred and forty-five members elect re-
sponded to their names, and quorum was
found to be present.
On motion of Mr.. HATCH of Bangor.
Messrs. Hatch of Bangor, Strout of Port
land, Goss Of Bath. Richie of Win,erport
King Of Carbon. Benner Of Wadoboro' and
Nickerson of Linneas were appointed & com
mittee to wait upon the Governor and inform
him that quorum of the members-elect of
the Honse of Representatives had assembled
in the Representatives Hall, and request his
attendance to administer to them the oaths of
Office necessary to qualify them 10 enter upon
the discharge of their official duties.
Subsequently Mr.. HATCH. from the com
mittee reported that the committee had dis
charged the duty assigned it and the Govern
or was pleased to say that he would forth
with attend upon the convention for the pur-
pose indicated
Thereupon the Governor came in, attended
by his Council and the heads of departments.
and administered to the member-elect the
necessary Oaths of Office.
Messrs. Jones of Winthrop and Lang of
Palmira qualified by affirmation.
The Governor and suite then retired.
IL House.
On motion of Mr. BRApsrREEr of Brdg-
ton. Messrs. Bradstreet of Bridgton. Went
worth of Kittery. Heath of Watervile. Park
er of Lewiston, McKusick of Calais, Staples
Of Parsonsfield and Glidden of st. George
were appointed Committee to receive sort
and count votes for Speaker.
Having attended to the duty assigned it.
the Committee through Mr.. Bradstreet re-
ported:
Whole number of votes, 143
Necessary to a choice, -
Liberty II Hutchinson had IS
Thomas B. Swan, 65
The report was accepted, and LIB
ERrY II. HUTCHINSON was declared duly
elected Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives for 1881.
10
chair bv Mr.. Swan of Minot, and addressed
the House as follows:
Gentlemen Of the House of Representa-
tires: Allow me to tender you my thanks for
the honor you have conferred upon me in as
signing me to the chair for the coming SEES
sion. I feel the responsibility resting upon
me, and shall endeavor to discharge my duties
honestly and impartally. In order that the
work of the session NAV be done "a speedily
as is proper. and with az little friction as pos
sible. it is necessary that the Chair should
have the cheerful cooperation of every men-
Der, and have no doubt that it will be accord
ed. 1t will be NV earnest desire. so far As
may he able to aid in that direction, to keep
the House at work. end dispatch business
without the waste of time. Many matters Of
importance will present themselves TO you
for your delberatOn. and must receive your
most careful attention. The settlement Of
the Gubernatoral succession. the election of
a United States Senator. the State valuation.
and the reapportionment of the State, are
questions of the first Importance to be exam
ined, and settled nv you; and it NAV be well
for every individual member to be impressed
with the fact that he is legislating not for
himself alone. but for the whole people of a
great State: and not for today or tomorrow
only but for all coming time. Rest assured
that all our acts will be scrutinized by an in
telligent public, who will pass Judgment on
them all. If every member is animated with
the determination to do what is just right
then there need be no fear as to what that
judgment shall be. Some little DELAY
must necessarily occur in making up
the several committees. and / shall
crave your Indulgence in extendingt, me the
time necessary for that purpose. You may
not all be assigned to positions which YOU
NAV prefer. but please bear in mind the fact
that it is matter attended with no little diff
fculty, and that if mistakes are sometimes
made they will be errors of the head and not
the heart. The powers behind the throne
will be the committees: they will furnish the
food for legislative digestion, and can do
more to expedite the business of the session
than all other agencies combined.
Hoping that the session may be pleasant
one TOT us all. ana tnat wnen our laDOrs are
closed we NAV depart with the consciousness
of dnty done. / now enter upon the duties to
which YOU have assigned me.
On motion of Mr.. WENTWORTH of Kittery
Messrs. Wentworth of Kittery, Cook of Lew
iston, Burnham of Sherman. True of Port
land, JOY of Union. Dickey of Fl. Kent and
Gilbert Of Kingfeld were appointed COM
mittee to receive sort and count votes for
Clerk
Having attended to the duty assigned it the
committee through Mr.. Wentworth reported :
Whole number of votes. 40
Necessary to a choice, II
Oramandel Smith has -
Wingate F. Gibbs, SIS
The report was accepted, and Oraman-
dal Smith was declared duly elected
Clerk of the House for the year 1881.
On motion of Mr.. RowELL of Hailowell.
Messrs. Rowell Of Hallowell. Tarbox of Phil
lips, BraQdon of Sullivan, Seavey of West
Gardiner, Bird Of Rockland. Crosby of Nor
ridgewock and Foss of Danforth were ap-
pointed a committee to receive, sort and count
votes for Assistant Clerk.
Having attended 10 the dnty assigned it the
committee through It's chairman. Mr. Roweh,
reported:
Whole number Of votes 1879
Necessary to a choice, 20
Franz T. Patton has