Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-14
MAIZE LEGISLATURES.
lcontinuea from first p.ge-l

gentlemen Who represent the democratic par
ty upon this floor, 70 far a. have met them
and known them. have done wha, they con-
sidered to be for the good of the State and
have at 10 tine wished to take advantage of
the republican party. or to make political
espitaI for themselves. IL would certainly
be unjsst 10 adjourn without saying that
much Of ihlm. Personally admire and res
Pc ct Their. and feel that If by any mutation
Of politics, they should ever have charge Of
the rrsad old State Of Maine. the State would
no. sgffer thereby. I have also been i'm
ps. ,sed very much indeed by the young men
sho have sat in council in this legislature. I
have become acquainted with them and I
must say that those young men are men of
promise. have found them 20 be of excl.
lent moral character and Of good attain
ments. For my part I never expect and new
er desire to stand again within these halls.
but believe that the State can szfely be en-
trusted 10 the young men who are sprinzing
up within her borders, and are 70 take the
place of older men. IL ia somewhat sad to
think that We Who are nov about 10
part will never, in all human probability
meet each other again; that before
another legislature is convened more or less
Of ns will have gone over to the silent ma
ioTiiy but believe that each and every one
Of as. NILE many of US met az strangers.
when ve part, will part as something more
than mere acquaintance. We will part ~
friends, mutually respecting each other,
mutually coneeding 10 each othar honesty Of
purpose. II We have made mistakes here,
or even committed fanlt., believe the PEG
pie Of this State will eondone those faults
and give u. credit for having acted hJn-
e.tly and fairly. To our Clerk and his As
.s.tant ws owe much. | know that some
times have almost felt that they might be
inpatient with me for the many demands
that have made upon them, but | have found
them always gentlemanly, and they both
have my thanks for their uniform courtesy
kindness and attention. The same Is due, |
think, 10 every employee about this Capitol
and while bid you farewell. gsntlemen,-
aud with me this will be the closing session
Of my life must say that the time | have
spent here has been spent most agreeably
While have many friends among the older
members | have found many acquaintainces
among the new. our association here is one
we shall always be pleasantly reminded Of
and the friendships engendered here will al
ways be true and lasting.
Mr.. Turner said
Mr.. Clerk As representing the younger
members of this House, as we'll as the new
members who at the beginning of this SEES
sion, were unfamiliar with any legislative
proceedings and parliamentary practice,
feel that | should be doing violence to my
own conscience, and that | should be leay
ing my duties incomp etc, and thai, In short
| should be acting the role of tho basest in
CRATE. should not ere the gavel falls for
the last time, avail myself of this opportun-
ty to express to the old members, to the Off
GERS of this House and to our honored
Speaker the deep gratitude and lasting obli-
CATION due them for the kindly treatment
the generous consideration and the patient
fOrebearanee which are here so uninterrupt
eddy received at their hands, Eleven week.
ago we all met together for the first time
in these halls. Together we plighted oui
sacred honor IN support OF the Constitution
and laws Of this State. Together with will
ling hands and honest hearts, we took up the
burdens and responsibilities of our office
and together through all the mutations ar,
vicissitudes of long and busy session, We
have honestly striven for the common goal
the highest good q the whole State. Az legis
la.ors our duties are flushed. Our WORKS are
behind US. Our deeds have passed to be
engros ed by tie brold-roirt.d aud bold
writing pen of scrutinizing and exactnl
public By the .t,rn judgment of exper
fence, their wisdom must stai d or fall
They are beyond our reach to recall or mod
ify. We cannot change them if we would
aud would not if we could. Into the ire
trieyable past have gone our words and acts
and the lust rcspou ability of them Is upor
US. We have transacted an unusually large
volume of business and considering il.
variety div, r.ity and multiplicity to nv mind
it has been done with wonderful degree OF
harmony and unanimity. Coming from SC
many different sections of the State. and
rerrpsentinga as we do so many different shade.
If political sentiment religious belief. and
social status-each with his own peculiar
tllosyncraci. of education, prejudice, and
local affinity and attachment. it is not strange
teat W. should not on all questions have
been N perfect mental alignment and accord.
But whatever differences have existed have
been the fruitage of sober conviction aud
honest judgment. and not the product of bias
or premature conclusion. MANY of our
polemic battles have been hotv contested,
and assertion has often been characterized
by that declarative postiyity which marks
the really earnest man. But when que--
ii IN ha. once been settled BY the fair ex-
preston of the will of the majority, there
has never been any appeal from that decision
the yarqu shed have submitted and ac-
guessed, aud the victorious have always
generously RETAINED from demons,rative
exultation. Each with his own peculiar
weapon, whether the bludgeon or the Damas-
Gus blade, has done earnest battle for the
cause he has seen fit to champion. and at the
time inflicted serious wounls. but these
are wounds which leave no scars. kancor
of spirit and asperity of expression have ever
been absent, and partizln elimination and
denomination have never been indulged in.
While We have insisted on decent respect
for our own honest opinions. we have &C
corded the same to the opinions of others,
and the result has been kindly feelings and
mutual good will. As we are now about to
lay aside the sober duties and responsibilities
of legislative work, it is fit and natural that
reference should be made to those pleasing
amenities of acquaintance and friendship to
which the past few brief weeks have given
birth. At the opening of the session the
great body of US were strangers; but our
intercourse here, and our associations in the
committee rooms have given rise to many
strong and lasting friendships. which, We
trust. may often be renewed, and which the
angel of death may alone dissolve
And now "a we are about to shake the hand
in many instances for the last time, and to
pronounce the reluctant goodbye we are
brought to a realizing sense of the attach