Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-04
Farewell Speeches

FJilowing are the farewell speeches de-
livered in the House Of Representatives
Thursday evening, April Cd.
By an error in Yesterdays report Of the
| evening session Mr.. Osaood Of Lewiston
| was reported as presenting the portrait to
Speaker Wiswell in behalf Of several Of the
members. We desire TO state that the pre-.
| senta.ion was msds In be5slf Of Al, OF the
members. House STENoGRArnERs
Mr.. Peaks Of Dover:
Mr.. ClsYk-I have q resolution which l
wish TO offer to the House:
Resolved. That the thsnks of the men,
bers OF this House are due to the Speaker,
the Hon. Andrew p. wiswell, for the con
spicuous courtesy. fairness, courage ard
impsrtislity with which he hiss presided
over our deliberations.
Mr. Pesks--And. gentlemen. wish to
say just few words. Some time before
this Legislature met, 10 my misty imssina-
tion | saw = gentleman other than the
Speaker presiding over the deliberations of
this House. Since / have come here and
sat here A. member Of this House l have
watched with some degree Of care to see il
| could notice snyihing. any act, any word,
any ruling Of tia Speaker which could be-
criticised in any way. ard l am free t, say
to you that have seen none, and with all
respect to the Distinguished gentlemen who
have occupied that chair in years gone by,
sm free 10 say that recollet no man that
| think has filled the position with more
honor. more integrity, more fairness. more
impartislity. and mors courage than the
distinguished Speaker Of this session and ]
hope that this resolution will have ubani-
nous passage.
MIR. Stesrns Of Csribou--Mr. Clerk. l,
too. will add my testimony to toe dis
tioguished character and services Of him
who has presided so fairly, impartisily and
courte ously over our deliberations. Coming
here rs he did with reputation extending
beyond she confines of this State. we ex-
pected much from him, and not only have
our expectations been realized, but more
thso realized. The first tack that he had
set to him to perform vas the forming of
bis committees, aud submit. and believe
that all the House will agree, that in the
forming of those several committees be
showed skill and judgment that could
hardly he expected. After his committees
were formed heard no word of complaint,
no word of fault iitding. no person TO say
that he hsd rot been we'll and fairly treated
As he entered upon ihe work Of the House
L know the members will agree
with me that his ratings have beeo
fair and impartial to that extent,
Indeed, that although we have had
exis'ipg debates here upon this floor, al
though many questiors Of parliamentary
law have been raised, there has been, 20
far as recollect, no one appeal taken from
his decisions. Courteous and kind he has
been to US all, patient. indeed. so that there
can be none Of us, the members on this
floor, who can complain Of ought that he
has done We bsve bad busy, and in scme
respects,stormy session, ,aod nov, Mr.. Clerk.
with to take this opportunity IN say come
words ihst may address to the members
of the House upon this floor. During the
stormy, long and busy session that 10 now
drawing 20 its close, there has been to me,
At least. manifested and discovered by the
members feeling Of kindness and friend
iiness suc1 as must slssys be pleasant 10
my recollection. When we have hsd
qIsstions before us calling out the zeal. the
srdor and the fire Of the members, there
hsve been no words said in de-
bate, TO my recollection now.
thst have been unkipd t. any pet.on
Our york must be adged by the people
Oar woik is not only and has not only
hee for present DAYS, but perhaps for fu-
iure generations. whether we have done it
~eil or rot the verdict Of the people will
pronounce, but that there has been q pur-
pcss fixed and stesdfsst, never sveryed
from By members Of this House think no
one will deny. We shall never NEE, again
hare, gentlemen Of this House, ALI toge her
Il is lsot possible. 1t IL not in accordance
si;h the laws Of nature. There are mem.
bers on tins floor who have slready Jour.
beyed up the eastern slope across the sum.
NIT and sre row on their journey down on
the &c stern through the dark valley, hey or q
Tbieh will lie and will be seen the beautiful
vista o! i'm mortality. There are the mid
die aged among us. Then there a-e the
young. The young may go before the
old. Two yexrs ago, when the
final, last words OF parting were
ssii upon this flor, ieco,Iect tha.
one man, young. bright, talented, able,
full of promise. ms3e 10 the members on
this floor most feeling and most beautiful
speech. None of those then presen. could
have conten plated that in ons short year
that life of LIs, so valuable to the State, SO
precious TO his friends and family, would
go Ont, but thus il was, and who Of Us can
ray which one Of u. may frat go? Ger
tsiniy, indeed, s0De must before this Lesis-
isturr shsll assemble sgsin. Mr.. Clerk,
hoye that this resolution will receive =
unanimous passage be this House.
Me- Payson OF Poitland--I should feel
that ! had Kissed opc Of ths pieassniest
privileges OF the entire session il 1 failed
a, this time to express nv appreciation Of
the marked abilities Of the Speaker Of thi.
House. The session has been . long one,
and matter. Of great importance have been
Considered ard disposed Of. At times the
in,srss. In impsrdisg questions has been
intense, sod yet fsUm the beginning Of the