Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-07
LEGISLATIVE REUNION.
Members in Session Appropriate
Speeches - Presentation Of the
Portrait of Hon Lot NJ. Morrill,.
REPRESENTATIVES HALL,
AUGUsTA, Jan. 6, 1856

Prayer was offered by Rev. D. b. Randall.
chaplain of the present House of Representa-
tiyes.
Secretary Of State Smith then read list
of the officers of the Association. and the or
der of exercises during the week, issued By
the executive committee
Mr.. Atwood, of the executive committee,
then announced that the Hon. Bion Bradbury
who hal been elected President, found it nee
esssry 10 decline on account of business en-
| gagements and stated that the election of a
| President would be in order.
| Hon. Harrison Hume suggested the name
of Hon Henry Ingalls, of Wiscasset, and tina,
gentleman was accordingly chosen President.
| Mr.. ingalls, came forward and, in assuming
the duties of the chair, said:
| Gentlemen of the Legislative Reunion:
| For the honor conferred upon me by my
! election as President of this body. | extend
to you my sincere and heartfelt thanks.
accept the position, and with the best abilities
| | have am ready to enter upon the discharge
| of the duties of the Office. The meeting l.
now open for such exercises as are proper
for the occasion 1t is hoped that all will
participate by making short speeches and by
such other exercises will make this an
| interesting occasion. l see exG1vernor
flamlin present, and / take the liberty to
call upon him Applause
Hon Hannibal HamIin.
Mr. President: Fifty-sx wears ago to-day
| assumed the position Of a representative in
the legislature Of Maine. The interior con
struction of this hall at that time differed
from its present construction. We had cir
cular seats. But in looking about me now
think the seat which | then occupied must
have been precisely the point at which | am
now standing. Fifty long years have rolled
their course away, the cycle of half century,
and when | come back with all the emotions
of pleasure that are excited in meeting those
who have mingled in the councils of the
nation, it can be but tinged with emotions of
sadness at the thought of the faces we shall
never see again. Not one of the members OF
that legislative body with whom mingled at
| that time have | met to-day. And while
| have come to pronounce no eulogy upon
their memory, pay passing tribute to their
| worth.
Mr. President, can say truthfully that IN
all nv long experience of political life the
most pleasant of them all may be numbered
in the five consecutive years that held d
position in this hall. | witnessed then and
at other times within this House debates that
would honor and grace the halls of any legis-
lative body that ever met on earth. APP
| pause And retur to that period of time
with unmixed plea ure. | remember the
| friendships and associations which we Their
formed. We have gone along in the rugged
| pathway of life from then until now, and
| deeply regret that there are none of those
with whom | first associated now here t..
mingle with us on this occasion. But
haven't come here to make a speech.
don't know but that | was limited to five
minutes in what might say. But | sec
some young men here to whom, perhaps,
may give a word of advice | want to eau
ton my young friends from my long expert
ence. | am going to speak experimentally
and it renders it little unpleasant to speak
of myself But it is an incident from which
want them to draw lessons Of experience
and profit.
| "An earthquake may intermt to spare
| man who strangles b. single hair
And il is to that single hair alone that
am going to invite your attention for mo-
ment Be careful and not exercise your vii
or your mirth carelessy Sitting in that
chair one day as the presiding officer while a
| long and tedious debate was progressing,
noticed sitting in one of the seat. one of the
gentlemen who was remarkable for the man
| ner in which he dressed his hair. Why, he
would furnish pattern in that respect to any
| lady on earth. | think he went by the So
| briquet of the ''peeled onion" Applause and
| laughter. During the debate | told TIE
page to call William c. Allen to the Speak.
er's chair, as | wanted to speak with him. He
came very readily and wanted to know what
the Speaker desired of him; and the
Speaker said to him very pleas
antly, and perhaps a little mischev
ously, Mr.. Allen. as | sat here
noticed upon your head one hair that crosses
another, and | thought you would like to
know it," Laughter. The man jumped
like pea in hot skillet, and he attracted
the attention of the whole house. II didn't
come here to be ipsulted," said he. | asked
him if he couldn't take a joke, ard he an
swered, mot such a joke as that" Laugh
ter And he turned and went to his sea
with the dignity of major. Now, the mora
comes here. By my mirth on that occasion
lost an election rs Senator of the United
States, Laughter "strsngl4d by single
| hair" But the incident never crossed my
mind for wears until some friend in the Stat,
| suggested nv name for Senator, and nv cleo
| ton was defeated bv the vote of William c
Allen. No power on earth could move him
and the result was that withdrew and james
W. Bradbury was elected. Nov I hsv,
given an illustration which will show how
careful one should be in using his mirth ant
wit.
am glad that | am in as good health as
ever enjoyed in nv life, and | rejoice t
meet and mngle with you on this occasion
And now, boys, let us have a good time
Applause.
Hon. William Dickey.
Hon. William Dickey said
| M, Speaker. Gentlemen of the House and
! Ladies:
Not expecting to be called upon in this as
sembly for a speech. | am entirely unpre
pared. Knowing that We should have ou
learned friend of long experience 70 address
u.s. did not think should be called upon t,
make anv remarks
But, gentlemen. | am most rejoiced myself
and think all of YOU are, to be here upoI
this glorious occasion. There is one subjec
that has impressed nv mind, and that is tn,
tn ught of our friends that have passed owe
that unseen road into that happy and bette
life. l think of them, their numbers and the
worth for instance, our Lincoln, and all on
great men down to the present day, thos,
who have passed from US and are not here
who have passed down through the vistas o
life, where dwell the mysteries of life, of leg
islation. of government, and the mysteries o.
Gnd and eternity.
leave our legislative marks in such a nanne
that no one will ever find fault, and no on.
will ever reflect upon our memory.
remember well when our friend who ha
just addressed US. sat in the chair of thi