Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-09

kcuucmuuly UcaIluk ouu htuuhcco w" osSS
me. Our work is done, and as we separate,
and go to our several homes, permit me to
say that shall never cease to cherish with
fond remembrance sentiments of esteem, and
respect for you all. Pleasant have been the
friendships formed here, and long. may they
continue. The four terms that have spent
here as member of the Legislature have
been full of pleasant associations, and now
| am aware that my legislative duties are
over, that to-day l shall bid adieu to those
who have been to me like brother or father.
The acauaintances formed. and the pleasant
hours passed in this chamber will come back
fresh to my memory, in the future, as among
the most agreeable recollections of the past
and now when time has come to say the last
good bye, implore Him in whose hands are
the destines of nations, and without whose
notice not sparrow fslleth to the ground, to
guide US through the future path of life.
Mr. Ray read the following sonnet:
Two months of swift events have come and gone.
And now we stand at parting of the ways;
Whether the world condemn our acts, or praise,
We can no more undo the things we've done,
Much less begin what still 10 unbegun:
Too brief the time lin sixty heeting days
We scarce adapt our own to others ways;
No wonder that we leave so much undOne-
So much und0ne of all we wished to do!
What blghted hopes along the path of each.
Successes, browning efforts. Oh. how few!
And yet we bear from hence what passeth speech
The friendships here begun, steadfast and true;
Sweet shall their memory be, as far as time shall
reach.
The resolution was unanimously adopted
by rising vote.
President Pencil responded as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
In accepting this gavel which has been an
assistant to me in the discharge of my duties,
and which in your generosity has been pre-
scented to me, thank you most heartily, and
desire to say, that it will be to me a con-
slant reminder of pleasant acquaintance and
the many happy hours spent together
in our efforts to frame laws for the relief and
better protection of the people we represent.
For the expression of kind feelings mani
Tested in the resolutions, and in the remarks
of the gentlemen who have spoken this evening
wish to return my sincere, heartfelt thanks.
When the Senate assembled in the month of
January. and l was selected to perform the
duties of presiding officer, being the youngest
memt er of the body with single exception,
entered upon the discharge of my duties
with extreme ditidence, relying much upon
the kind offices and fOrbearance of my fellow
Senators to sustain me in the discharge of the
arduous and responsible duties of the position.
have not been disappointed in this respect,
for the confidence reposed has been nobly
repaid. | have earnestly endeavored to make
the faithful effort which on taking the chair l
pledged you, and if any measure of success
has attended me, owe it mainly to the gen.
erous and liberal support which has been ac-
corded me by every member of this honorable
body, and | should do an injustice to my own
feelings if should allow this last opportunity
of meeting at this board to pass without an
nouncing my heartfelt gratitude to you all for
the ability. integrity and good care exercised
in dispatching the business committed to your
hands for consideration, and for the uniform
courtesy shown me at all times.
Having made a careful and thorough ex-
animation of your doings, am confident that
the record made will be heartily endorsed by
the law-abiding citizens of our commonw ealth,
and no act of yours will be more fully alpre-
ciated by the whole people, than that which
causes reduction IN the State tax. of nearly
seven per centum to every city and town in
the State.
cannot refrain from publicly acknowledge
ing my high appreciation of the valuable SER
vice rendered by Gen. Tilden, our Secretary,
and Mr.. Dunbar, Assistant Secretary. who
have at all times been courteous, painstaking
and faithful in the discharge of the laborious
trust committed to them. feel very grateful
also to Mr. Small, our accomplished reporter 4;
Messrs. Lovejoy and Voter, messengers; Mr..
Chadbourne, folder, and to Ernest H. Wheel
er, page, for their courtesy and efficiency.
Friendship is burdensome only when sep
aratiOn comes, and then the chain is thorough
ly tested. The sundering of daily associa-
tons and the thought of final separation nat
urally touches the heart, and as we are about
to separate, some of us possibly never to
meet again on earth, my hearts desire is that
our lives may he such that we may re-assem-
bic in that brighter and better world above.
Permit me again to tender thanks of full
heart and to assure you that the associations
and friendships formed in this chamber will
be cherished among the most pleasant and
agreeable recollections of my life, and when
ever in the future we scan our past lives,
memory will unfold no brighter page to me,
than that which contains the record of the
brief period spent in this Senate Chamber.
now have to perform the painful and sad
duty of declaring the Senate adjourned with
out day.
Upon the conclusion of his remarks the
President, at ~ Is A. NJ, declared the Sen.
ate of the 62d Legislature adjourned without
day.