Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-03
In House Of Representatives.

On motion of Mr. Hamlin, Messrs.
Hamlin of Ellsworth, Briggs of Auburn,
Spear of Rockland, Patten of Bath, Hill
of Portland, Doyle of Biddeford and
Kecgan of Van Buren,, We're appointed a
committee to receive, sort and count votes
for Speaker
Having attended the duty assigned it,
Mr. Hamlin from the committee, reported
as follows:
Whole number of votes, 1877
Necessary for a choice, 69
Llewcllyn Powers had 1876
William Dickey had
aud Hon. Llewellyn Powers was declared
duly elected Speaker of the House.
Mr.. Powers was conducted to the chair
by Mr.. Dickey and addressed the House
rs follows:
tives:
accept with unfeigned gratitude the
office of speaker of this legislative body,
which you have 50 generously rendered
me / appreciate not only the honor con
ferred but also the various duties and
responsibilities that must obviously at
tend the formation of committees and the
presiding over your deliberations; and l
earnestly bespeak from you all a charita-
bic Judgment and forbearance and your
friendly assistance ard support both indi-
viiually and as an organization.
IN We have left our several avocations in
life and have assembled here not merely to
legislate for our own localities and our
several districts or to crafty personal
ends and aims but rather to be imbued
with views board enough to embrace what
is best for all and to work for the pro-
gress, the advancement and the future
prosperity of our great and noble State
Fortunately indeed no great emergency
or crisis confronts us as state or nation
at this time. Peace, plenty and evil
dences of returning prosperity on every
hand gladden. our hearts and fill our hills
and valleys witllsretined and happy homes
1t might not be inappropriate for me at
this time to state briefly what has I'M
doubtcdly already presented itself to the
minds of you ALL that it is our privilege
and duty to assist i'll enacting only equal,
Just and wise laws; in caring for the I'M
fortunate and suffering; in preserving or
der, individual security and personal lib
erty regulated by law in righting wrongs,
correcting abuses, promoting the welfare
and the better education of all classes re
CARELESS of their conditions in life. These
and kindred objects, which | will not
trcspass upon your time to enumerate, de
mand of us our wisest and best efforts as
legislators, and we should conscientious
ly do whatever may be necessary to pro
duce these beneticent results. Tho bur
den of taxation should be made as light
as possible and should be SO placed as to
bear equally and equitably upon all
classes and upon all the property and in
dustries of our State. To this end every
appropriation of money should respond to
a we'll defined public need and should be
demanded by wise discretion and rigid
economy.
Not every change in laws is necessarily
an improvement. That people is not nee
essarily governed best that is legislated
for most. Certainly the burden of proof
is upon those who would initiate extraord-
mary legislation, or open new avenues
to the treasury, to justify the wisdom and
propriety of SO doing. If l might be
permitted here and now to indulge in a
wish or hope it would be to express the
desire that this Legislature so peculiarly
constituted might not find itself COM
PEELED to create new office or to increase
the salary of any office now in existence.
1t is eminently fitting and very desirable
that the session here be as short as is con-
sistent with the proper consideration OF
public legislation only. Let us, then,
with this end constantly in view, strive
to expedite and discharge the business
that shall come before us in such a man
ner as shall meet with our own approval
and the deserved commentator of our
fellow citizens.
Trusting that all of your deliberations
and debates will be characterized by an
earnest desire to determine what is right
and then resolutely to do it, and that the
friendships and associations here formed
may be pleasant and lasting, and thank
ing you most sincerely for this expires
sion of your confidence and esteem
await the pleasure of the House. GAP
plause.)
On motion of Mr.. Haines, Messrs. Haines
of Waterville, Knowlton of Portland, Bar
rctt of Camdens Packard OF Blanchard
Holbrook Of Brunswick, Hurd OF NORTH
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