Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-13
MAINE LEGISLATTRE
SENATE
FRIDAY. Jan. 18th

The chair announced as the Committee on
temperance, on the part of the Senate
Messrs. Maxwell of York, Taber of Waldo
and Stearns of Oxford
On motion of Mr.. Lord of Cumberland
the reports of the State Liquor Commissioner
for the years 1881 and 1882 were taken
from the table anG referred to the Committee
on Temperance.
On motion of Mr.. Young of Cumberland,
Ordered. That when the Senate adiourns it
be to meet on Monday next at IL o'clock in
the forenoon.
The morning hour having expired Mr..
Young of Cumberland was recognized by the
chair and said
MT. President: 1t becomes my pair ful duty
to announce to the Senate the de ath of the
Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill, which occurred We'd
nesday morning at his home in this city
Ii has seemed to me that the decease of so
prominent citizen should not be allowed to
pass unnoticed in our proceedings; although.
as 1t generally happens, the words of eulogy
that would be so grateful to the living are
lavished the dead, and over his grave we
speak the tardy praise which would have
cheered the heart that mas now ceased To beat.
lhe life which has just closed was full of
years and honOrs. Mr.. Morrill, was born in
Belgrade. May 3, 1912, and was consequently
in his list year. He entered at Water,i lille
College, now Colby University, but left be-
fore completing the course to begin the study
of law and was admitted to the bar in 1889.
His ability was early recognized by his
fellow citizens. and he soon became one
of the leaders of the democratic party.
He was elected to the House of Representiyes
in 1854 and was President of the Senate in
| 1886. In 1857 he became dissatisfied with the
position of his party on the subject of slavery
and therefore transferred his allegiance to
the republican party, which had just begun
to gather into its ranks the thoughtful and
Independent men of both Of the older organ
izsfions. His merits rs a leader met with
early recognition, and he was elected Govern
or Of the State for three successive years.
In 1860, when MIR. Hamlin became Vice
President, Mr.. Morrill, was selected to COM
| plete the uneypired term, and was reelected
in 1868 for the full term. In 1869 he failed
of reelection. but was appointed to the va
cancy caused by the death of Mr.. Fessenden.
| In 1871 he was again chosen for the full
term, but resigned in 1876 to become Sec
retary of the Treasury. When his failing
health obliged him to assume less ariuous
duties, he retired to private life. He was.
| however, subsequently appointed Collector of
Portland, which office he held at the time of
his death. Thus for period of almost thirty
years Mr.. Morrill, was employed in public
| business.
1t is not my present purpose to consume
the time requisite for full survey of such
busy life; nor would your patience readily
accord it to me. 1t is saying much, and yet
not too much, when we put upon our records
| the fact that he was always true to his trust
| in whatever position he held; that he was
often tried in the balance and vet never
found wanting in those qualities which make
the faithful public servant Whatever he
did was well done, and bore the test of time.
| Some, II is true, excelled him in oratory,
but he surpassed most of them in consistency
and common sense-vlrtues so rare that our
modern statesmen seem almost to have for
gotten them. He had, moreover, a tact for
public business and the courage to speak his
| conv lotions, which made him a formidable,
| though courteous antagonist in debate. Affa-
BILE in his demeanor, he was nevertheless un-
compromising in his opposition to what he
conceived to be wrong. Above all, through
out his long career and amid all the acrimo-
nious discussion which grew out of the death
struggle of the slave power, he bore the
reputation of an honest mana states
man without fear and without reproach."
lie political manager in
the modern sense. He sought promotion by
merit instead of by importantly. He subor-
dinated himself to the public interest. and,
like the old Roman orator, ''watched con-
tinually that the republic should receive no
harm" Therefore the respect of his coun-
trymen has followed him even to the close of
his well-spent life. and at some later day
when our State makes up the roll of her
notlest sons. she will point with pride to Lot
VI. Morrill,. as one who was not only above
wrong but also above suspicion.
The rising has more worshppers than
the setting sun, but the close of a blameless
life has a glory that is all its own. and leaves
behind il a trail of splendor to light the path
of those who follow. Thus his career be-
comes to US noble heritage and a bright
example, and as token of respect to his
memory | offer the following resolutions:
WHEREAS bv the death of Hon. Lot NJ
Morrill,, the people of this State and nation
have been called to mourn the loss of an
eminent statesman, therefore
Resoired. That the Senate desires to place
nn record its grateful remembrance of his
high endow ments, his life of uprightness
and purity, and his eminent services in the
State and in the Nation, and its deep sense
of bereavement and loss.
Resoired. That committee of five be
appointed by the President to represent the
senate at the funeral of Mr.. Morrill,
Resoired. That copy of the above
resolutions. signed by the President and
Secretary of the Senate, be presented to the
family of the deceased as an expression OF
our sympathy and coincidence.
Resoired, That, as a further mark of
respec: to the memory of Mr.. Morrill,, this
Senate do now adjourn.
Mr.. Lebroke of Pscataquis then said:
Mr.. President: will second the spirit of
the resolutions Lot NJ. Morrill, was re-
markable man, and he lived in q remarkable
age.-an age in which the last three decades
constituted an epoch in which, if not in
science and art, certainly in the enunciation,
conferring and guaranteeing the great prin-
ciples of human liberty and freedom, the
world has made more progress than 1t had
made in the three centuries preceding. In
this progress Lot M. Morrill, has not been
silent spectator. Fortunate it will be for the
Young men of this or any future generation
if they have the ability and opportunity to
engrave their names as high upon
the escutcheon of their country as ne
! has done. His gravity might have adorned
the noblest Roman Senator in the pslmy DAYS
of the republic; yet his manner was IS genial
as June morning, when the sun bathes in
light the gentle gorges, smiling hillsides and
pleasant valleys Of his own Ksnnebec. He