Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-07
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
The republican Representatives-elect held
caucus in the Hall of Representatives, last
evening, for the purpose of nominating off
GERS of the House. At 40 O'Clock the eau
Gus was called to order by Mr.. Case OF Rock
land, and on his motion, Mr.. Heath of Au
gusta, was chosen chairman of the meeting.
On motion, Oramandel Smith of Litchfed
was chosen clerk of the caucus.
The chairman stated that the first business
to be considered was the nomination of
candidate for Speaker of the House.
Voted, that a committee of five be appoint
ed to receive, sort and count votes for
Speaker.
Mr. Field of Bangor, presented the name
of Charles Hamlen of Bangor, and the nom
nation was secondad by Mr., Gilbert of Can
ton.
Mr.. Hall of Portland, presented the name
of Charles p. Mattocks of Portland, and the
nomination wa seconded by Mr.. Stearns of
Lowell. ballot was then taken, resulting
as follows:
Whole number of votes, 1O7
Necessary for a choice, "a
Charles p. Mattocks had Al
Charles Hamlin had &C
Mr. Hamlin was declared nominated.
On motion of Mr.. Mattocks of Portland,
the nomination was made unanimous. There
being calls for Mr.. Hamlln, he appeared and
addressed the convention as follows:
Gen. Hamlin's Speech.
Whether it is, or is not, a custom more
honored in the breach than in the observance"
for nominee to appear be.ore a Legislative
convention like this, one thing is certain; it
is in perfect accord with my deep feelings of
gratitude to thank you, face to face, as
now do, for this high mark of the confidence
YOU repose in me. No effort of mine shall
be wanting to meet your just expectations, or
to satisfy YOU that your confidence has not
been misplaced.
Gentlemen, this is historic place. Our
predecessors have met here, year by year, to
enact the peoples will and promote the wei
fare of the commonwealth. The past is Sc
cure. They have added much to the prog
ress and prestige of the State. We, their
successors, will be fortunate if we make for
ourselves an equally good record. l do not
doubt that you have come here with high
resolve, each and every one OF you, to con.
slider ONLY what shall be for the best good of
all.
When we were elected, in September,
Maine rang out a verdict for broad and in
spiring American craftsmanship, under the
lead of one who if he did not, like Hamilton,
make the constitution, on its financial side,
a wonderful instrument certainly would, had
he been elected, have impressed 1t into a
science of magical fruentity, who would
have taken the country. redeemed from
possible vast slave empire, established by
military power, and placed it foremost of all
peoples. upon the firm foundation of Liberty
and Union, according to the genius of chris
tan civilization, then following on with
great tide of prosperity, when our nation
seated on continent from sea to sea. with
so prosperous variety of climate and such
AN imperial wealth of resources eff every
kind, having brought all of its powers to
hear upon its productions and opportunities,
would become absolutely invincible, because
entirely independent, and thus realize the
fond hopes of our republican party. An acci-
dent has postponed all this, and we meet to-
day, knowing that our opponents have tempo
rarly defeated our great leader
We are not cast down but are determined
more than ever to accomplish our God gwen
mission of Liberty and Freedom 70 TACT as
well as in name. Six millions OF citizens
are derived of their full right of citizenship,
and TO use the language of one who is I'M
mortal in the conception, ''all other issues
driven out of the arena, God chains the
age to the redemption of the slave.
In our leniency we have maze mis'ahes 4"
the settlement of the Southern question:
without stopping to inquire who made the
mistakes, let us remember there can De no
permanent solution of it until there has been
eomplete emancipation, land secured secured
to every negro family, either separately or In
organized communities, the school master SET
TO work in every village and the tide OF tFee
immigration turned on in those fertile regions
from which it has been hitherto excluded. III
other words, citizenship, homes, educat,on
and commerce. These are the potent tae-
tors which the republican party must foster.
To speak of matters more Immediately az
hand As the repositories OF the poiiticai
mower of the State, we, as party, VIII oe
held Justly responsible for the soundness OF
want of it. in all that pertains to Its weifare,
90 far as it may be affected and influenced BY
lag;slation. do not hesitate to ask you TO
consider we'll our institutions, whether they
nertain to agriculture, manufacturing, eduea,
ZION. temperance and the public morals. Deai
w;th these all wisely and not meanly, gener-
allv and not lavishly. Again, l return you
my sincere thanks. A.. Tho
The chairman then announced that Tue
newt business in order was the nomination OF