Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-14
WORDS OF PRAISE.
The Closing Speeches on the Passage
OF Resolutions OF Thanks.

Mr. O'Brien of Thomaston said
Mr.. Clerk and gentlemen of the House
This session is about to close. We met here
but short time ago as strangers. We shall
all part as friends. While we are all glad to
return to our homes. still we have some feel
ings of sadness and regret. | wish TO say a
few words in regard to the treatment that
has been received by us as the minority of
this House. feel that | should not do
justice to myself, | should not do Justice to
that minority, were | not to express our high
appreciation of the manner in which the
Speaker of the House has at all times treated
us, and to you, gentlemen of the House, for
the kindness and the courteay you have
shown me upon all occasions, allow me to
express my sincere thanks. | have a resolu
ton that wish to offer, and when the vote
is taken | hope it will be a unanimous and a
rising vote
Resolved, That we hereby tender to the
Hon. Frederic n. Dow our thanks for the
distinguished ability, the uniform courtesy
and the dignity and impartiality with which
he has presided over the deliberations Of this
House.
Mr.. Chadbourne of Bddeford said
Mr.. Clerk | can say from the bottom
of my heart that do second the resolution
which has been submitted When came
here, from past experience knew something
of the courtesies usually extended but con-
fess had then no idea of the kindly, tender
feeling which would spring up, aud largely
by reason of the courtesy and leniency and
Kindness with which we have been treated by
our Speaker. In looking back over our
course as legislators can find no occasion
when we have any right nay, any desire to
find fault with any of his rulings, they have
been so unanimously fair, they have been so
high toned, they have been so far above
mere political sentiments or mere party pref
erences. As one who upon one occasion or
another has given him opportunity to even
ohide me for some of my awkwardness, for
my lack of knowledge of parliamentary
rules, yet there has been no occasion in
which he has even called me to account or
| suggested any other course than that which
suggested itself to me as fair and honorable
| DO second this resolution because person
ally feel toward him only feelings of ten
der regard. feel that am under obliga-
tons to him for his kiudnesses and his
courtesies, and when so apply this to my
self personally know ! voice the sentiment
not only of the small minority to which be-
long, but1 feel that voice the sentiment
of the whole House. When we came here
many Of us came perhaps with the idea that
we should have 10 enforce our political pre-
ferences, our ideas of party policy
with all the vigor and all the
earnestness that We would in campaign.
How much have we been mistaken Why.
party lines have hardly been drssn! We
have all met upon the same plane, We have
met here with eommOn interest, with a
common purpose, with a common desire to
~.
| faithfully and well, having first in all o.r
| thoughts the the best interests OF our whole
| State, and second the ARRANGEMENTS of our
political notions, and | am happy that
no occasion has come up where we were OBJ
| Ii led to draw party lines. lam happy that no
occasion has happened when there has been
any division other than that of conscience,
other than the division tha. would naturally
come up in the consideration Of any question
| and that division is oniy our own estimate a,
to what is right and what Is wrong. I, is not
for US ~ congratulate ourselves upon the
work we have done. 1t is for US to 20 to oui
homes and abide the decision of the tcople
Of this State, bnt believe we have no fear,
as to what the decision Of that people will se
! The intention, tie desire ha. been 40 mani
fest that all questions should be discussed o.
their merits and the conclusions arrived a
should be honest and conscientious tina,
know our people will sustain us. II We nay,
made mistake. tits nothing more than human
II We have erred incur judgment it vas moth
| ing more than vas to be expected hut belle "
there ia no person in this State who can "a,
that We have made any mistake or c0mmitse,
any errcr resulting from any dishonest o,
| wrong motive on the part Of any member o
this House. The matters that have
come before us We have discussed on thef
merits With only the one purpose Of arriving
at the beet conclusion, all things considered
believe We have acted honestly in this an,
while and perhaps many others knew yer,
title Of the course of legislative proceed
ings ve have been assisted 40 sbl, and |.
much BY our Speaker thai believe we or
il TO him that We should not only present hin
this resolution formally but that we shou,,
take the matter home TO ourselves and ran
and every one Of US should give this re.olu
ton a heartfelt secqnd- Personally I an
under obligations no, only to the Speske
but TO every member Of this House for tn
courtesy and kindness with which you hsv
treated me. can say that have tried I
do the duties Of my position honestly an
fairly and can only say tina; have been ms
in the same spirit of honesty aud fairness
: and 90 70 my home with no other feeling
In any single instance but those Of ssnlerei
, regard and highest respect for every men
+: Der of this House. and yoz will pardon m
gentlemen, If upon this occasion with tn
kindly feelings that have come up betvee