The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-06
THE REUNION.
All Unite in Declaring 1t Grand
Success.
Over Eight Hundred Ex-Members in
Augusta.

Augusta.
What a Press Reporter Says OF the
Event.
Especial to the PREss.l
AUGUSTA, Jan 5-The reunion is an as
sured success, so says each of the executive
committee; so says Hon. Hannibal Hamlin,
(who on this occasion is figuring as distin-
guished ex-governor, Gov. Robie and ex-
Gov Dingley, and all who have had an OPP
portunity to see chow she heads" as a ven
cradle Aroostook member puts it. There
was more enthusiasm than was expected,
and if the interest increases as it has today,
with the arriving trains, the affair will go
down in history as one of the events of the
Pine Tree State. There are in town this
evening about 500 old members. The Angus
ia House is full, also the Cony House and
Hotel North, while many of the private resi-
dences of the city have been freely opened
to visitors.
The morning trains brought wise men from
the East, and the afternoon trains Solons
from the West The o'clock train landed
distinguished company of about 200, among
whom were noticed from Portland, Hon. w.
W. Thomas, Jr., Hon. W. G. Davis, Hon.
Elias Thomas, Mr.. S. A. True and Clarence
Hale, Esq The same train brought Harri-
son Hume, ESQ.,, who represented Cherry
field in 1870; Hon. John G. Talbot, the Ma
chias veteran; A. G. Stockin, formerly OF
Monmouth; Charles E. Runlett formerly of
Thomaston; Oren Douglass, formerly OF Ma
pies; N. A. Farwell, formerly of Rockland;
Eli johnson, W. D. Eaton, and Mr.. Thorn
dixie, who commanded the attention of the
House fifty years ago as "the gentleman
from East Thomaston.'
Mr.. and Mrs Hamlin and ex-Gov. Dingley
are the guests of Mr.. Blaine; other citizens
of the city are entertaining some of their
own particular friends, and others those who
cannot find rooms at the hotels.
A very unpleasant feature of the inaugu-
raj ceremonies is the wretched weather. 1t
has rained continuously and in torrents here
all the afternoon and evening. However
this does not dampen the ardor of the ex-
members.
The ceremonies of the reunion were inau-
gurated this evening, by reception tender
ed by Gov. Robie and staff and the ex-gover-
nors of the State. Of the living ex-goyer-
nors first of all comes Hon. Anson P. Nor
rill of Readfield, 1855. Then follow in order:
1S57-Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Bangor.
lS57-Hon. Joseph Williams, Augusta (acting).
lS67-Hon. ]. L. Chamberlain, Brunswick.
1871-Hon. Sidney Perham, Paris.
1S7AHon. Nelson Dingley, Jr., Lewiston
1876-Gen. Selden Connor Augusta.
1879-Hon. Alonzo Garcelon, Lewiston.
18so-Hon. D. F. Davis Bangor
1SS1-Hon. H. NJ Plaisted, Bangor.
82-86-Hon Frederick Robie, Gorllam.
OF these there were present this evening,
besides Gov Robie, ex-Govs. Hamlin Ding
lev, Connor and Plaisted. The reception
was held in Representatives Hall, and was
an entirely informal affair, consisting OF
hearty handshaking and recollections OF
times gone by, and Notwithstanding the
storm the hall was crowded.
Conspicuous everywhere, whetheri it be ho-
tel corridor, on the street, in the rotunda OF
the State House or in the reception hall, is
Hannibal Hamlin. He comes from the city
on the frozen Penobscot, without an overcoat
as usual This evening he was arrayed in
the proverbial swallow-tail, and although
now in his 10th year he appears the youngest
of them all. He took great pleasure in
handshaking and the meeting of'so many old
friends. One lady in the long line which
passed through the hall, friend of Mr..
Hamlin in his younger days, was so exceed
ingly pleased to see him that nothing but
kiss would satisfy her, and when asked II
such thing was in order, Mr.. Hamlin replied,
ssit is always in order" Mr.. and Mrs. Blaine
arrived about 8 O'Clock, and were
among the number to shake the hands
of the ex-governors. Hon. j, H. Manley
and Attorney General 0. d. Baker were also
present. Among the veteran legislators,
Major Dickey, the Aroostook orator, and
John c. Talbot, who has served East Machias
for fifteen years, were noticeable. Many other
of the States noted men were there, and all
Joined in the informal reception with will.
The survivors of early legislatures are as
follows:
Jason Fuller, Boothbay, 1884.
Josiah Morrow, Bowdoinham, 1854
John 7. Walton, Portland, 1885.
BENJAMIN f. Eastman, Strong, 1885,
Syyanus r. Lyman, Portland, 1886.
Mr. Dunn, who represented Poland in the legis-
lature of 1882, and is the sole survivor OF that
body.
Marion, Washington county, wishes to be
named as having the Oldest ex-representa-
tives living-Capt. John Smith, aged IS years
and Abram Bridges, aged 81 years. twas
regretted on all sides that neither of these
gentlemen were able to be present this even
ing.
ElStationed in the rotunda was Prof. Pullen
with his excellent band, and the musicians
with their music lent pleasing charm to the
nformalities in the hall above.
The old members present the puritanical
custom of their forefathers, and are early to
bed and by 10 o'clock the State House was
deserted, and legislators were gaining sleep
preparatory to the festivities of tomorrow.
Alto o'clock tomorrow the much talked of
reminscence session will be held in the Rep
resentatives' Hall. Hon. Bion Bradbury,
president of the legislative reunion associa-
ton, will preside if he is able to be present.
Short storiec and amusing incidents will be
in order. Ex-Speaker Blaine is expected to
relate experiences of his own. AT II o'clock
the State is to be presented with an oil por-
trait of Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill,, a very elegant
thousand dollar bit of canvas, the gift of the
deceased Senator's personal friends. The
presentation speech is ftly assigned to Hon.
j. w. Bradbury, ex-United States Senator of
Augusta. The response will be made by
Gov Robe for the State. And adjournment
will follow this, when Photographer Lamson
of Portland, will take the law makers from
the State House Steps. But the event of to-
| morrow will be the banquet at Granite Hall
in the evening, provided by the Quincy
House caterer, with half hundred assis-
tants. Post prandial speeches of high order
are expected. Toastmaster Drummond says
that he shall have no formal toasts, but will
call for short speeches from many.