Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-07
AT THE STATE House.


OF "Reminiscences ANU speeches. IL was me-
morable occasion, an impressive gathering
one unprecedented in the history of the
State While it was in many respects happy
event, an almost serious feeling pervaded the
meeting. There was a realization that many
of those who in previous legislatures had
been leading members had passed off the arena
of life and had stood in legislative halls for the
list time. Several instances were cited
where but one member Of Legislature was
living. large number Of the gentlemen
present were well along in years and there
were comparatively few young men on the
foor But it was in every respect a dis
tnguished gathering which occupied the hall
a, the hour of meeting. Seldom, if ever,
have go many eminent and venerable
citizens of Maine met together. Hon.
Hannibal Hamln, as vigorous and ener-
geric as in younger days. occupied front
seat at the left Of the Speak desk. Hon.
J G.. Talbot, who has served Hiore years in the
legislature than any other nan, sat at the
right Of the President. did William
Dickey, the veteran legislator of Fort
Kent. One of the oldest gentlemen
present was Hon Seth OBrien. aged
81 years. and who represented Warren in
1853 Many ex-members made successful
effort t. obtain their Old seats There
was large attendance of ladies most Of whom
were seated at the left of the President.
The Governor and ex-Governors the Coun-
ell and State officers were IN the hall as well
as the MAN. gentlemen whose names have
been published. Every SCAT in the hall found
an occupant and standing room and the CALLER
les were crowded. There was not large
number Of citizens in attendance and there
4 boo Co. -, I'D tl,.
come. Mes.rs. william J. Smith and John
+. Chase Officiated messengers and Horace
Philbrook and Fred B. Hill as pages, they
having filled similar positions in the last
House. The members Of the executive com
mttee occupied positions about the Presi-
dents desk and were attending to their duties
the occasion demanded
The proceedings in the session are report
ed on the second page.
Painting Of Ex-Gov. MorriII Presented
At ~ O'Clock noon, came the impressive
ceremony Of presenting the oil painting of
the late ex-tiov. Morrill, to the State Early
IN the morning the picture had been brought
into Representatives Hall aud placed on
stan | at the left of the Speakers desk. A
Union flag covered it and beautiful
bouquet of Gala lilies, provided by Mrs Nor
rll, sat AT the foot. The dimensions of the
painting are four feet by five and il
il enclosed in a heavy gold frame.
1t was painted by that talented artist Mr.. A.
II Bicknell of Boston, who was native Of
| Turner, and is an exact counterpart of the
famous painting of Mr. Morrill, now hanging
! in the treasury department at Wash
! ington and said to be the finest
work of the kind there. This mag.
nificent gift was donated to the State by
/ ~ Ia,
Mr. J. w. Chase, Capt. Chas. f. Nash, Mr..
b b. Murray Of Pembroke, Maj. A. O.
Morgan, Maj. II. A. Shorey and others. The
presentation was made by Hon. J. w. Brad
bury. in an eloquent reminiscent address.
| Mr.. Bradbury stood in front of the Speakers
! chair and as he uttered the first words, Mr.
HAYNES stepped forward and uncovered the
picture.
Hon J. w. Bradbury's Address.
May ii please your Enceiiency:
A few Of the many friends of the late Lot
NJ Morr;l have pr" rr"d life-like portrait
of their disiupu sheet f llow-citizen. the work
of AN emlndnt "r.jst. which they desire to
present to the State, 10 be placed with the
portraits OF other memorable men which
adorn the walls of the capitol, that the feat
ures of one who has ably filled so many high
public positions, and who was so beloved tor
his private virtues, NAV be preserved for those
who shall come after him.
Mr. Morrill, was native of Maine, an cut
growth of our institutions and society; and
his lite and public career reflect honor upon
the State of his birth. He was one of the
men who have left such footprints upoa the
sands of time, that it is instructive to trace
them, and to note the steps by which he as
cended to the eminence he attained.
He was born Mt Belgrade, in the county of
kennebec. Msv Sd, 1912: one of fourteen
children of Peaslee Morrill, an intelligent
farmer and magistrate, in comfortable cir
CumstanCes for that dav. Ten of the children
lived to become men and women; and one of
them the venerable Arson Z. Morrill,, late
Governor and member of Congress. is stll
vigorous at the age of 50. Their mother,
remember as woman of unusual native
mental strength and vigor
Mr. Morrill, enoved only the ordinary ad-
vantaxes of education then afforded to the
families of farmers He was graduate of
our common schools. Teaching and toiing to
obtain a higher education he fitted for and en-
tered Waterville College but remained there
less than year. His ambition was awakened
to enter the legal profession and he fastened
to d. so. He read law at Readfed. was adj
mitted to the kennebec Bar in 1887 and
his youth up he was a hard student, self re-
liant. and determined TO succeed. Industry. ap-
plication and perseverance, experimenting his
native power, were the basis of his success.
While pursuing his practice of the law at
Readfield he had for a competitor. the late
Timothy O. Howe, afterwards Senator from
Wisconsin Both met again in the United
States Senate, and both became members of
the Cabinet.
On the 10Th of November, 1874, he married
Miss Charlotte Vance. daughter of William
Vance, Esq who had removed from Wash
ington to Readield. where he died in 1912.
In ls47. Mr.. Morrill, moved TO Augusta and
opened an office there.
You will pardon me if | now allude to
events that brought me into intimate relations
with Mr.. Morrill, and tend TO liustrate his
private character. In January 1913. while
was at Washington. | received intelligence
from the late Judge Rice whom had taken
into partnership and left in charge of very
large business, that he had the opportunity of
an app0in ment upon the Bench and should
leave the practice at the Bar immediately
wrote to Mr.. Morrill, inviting HIM to 90 into
NV office and take charge of the business,
and saving we would form partnership upon
such terms as should be fair. He replied. ac.
cepting the offer, and such was my confidence
in him that these two letters for years consti-
tuted the only articles of agreement of a
partnership in an extensive business. For