Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-28

ldDoIS VI tulS ScSSlOu. IOuI WoAh A'sAS
been carried on the silent watches OF the
night. We have been thonghtless, per
haps, in regard to it; and yet, sir, we
know that you have kept up with the
business of the House, pace by pace, step
by step, and that today You have the
satisfaction of knowing that you have
been faithful servant and that no neglect
or infidelity lies at your door. And tor the
Speaker realize in some degree the i'm
portant responsibility which rests upon You
in the government of this House. We should
indeed be but mere stock arena or school
yard but for the fairness, sthe dignity, the
impartiality which presides over the de-
alterations of this body. l believe, sir,
that you have done all to the utmost OF
your ability TO preside courteous1y and
fairly and in spirit that would carry for
ward the work of this session Your rul-
ings have been unchallepged and sus-
tanned by the body of this House. You
have lent kind assistance to the unframed
members OF this body in helping them on
to their feet for the first time and in
drawing forth their latent powers of de-
bate. / believe that you will carry to
your far home in Aroostook the affection
and the love and the respect OF every MEM
Der of this House.
And now the hour of parting is at hand,
an hour eagerly sought for as returning
IL; to our homes and the pressing engage
ments of business, and yet an hour when
now at hand we would gladly turn back
on the dial OF time The true e1oquence
of this occasion now becomes the eloquence
of silence, the eloquence of full hearts and
of tender memories. The old dramatists
of human nature has well said, The
friends thou hast, grapple them to thy
soul with hooks Of steel:' and as l look
about me on the eve of the final adjourn
ment, and into the faces of these, my
brother representatives. l feel that While
| have gained much in knowledge and ex-
perience in the arts of debate, in the diplo-
macy of politics, the highest gift that
shall carry home with me is the gilt OF
your friendship, more fragrant than the
breath of the morning, sweeter than the
perfume of the lily or the rose, richer than
the mines of Solomon and more enduring
than our own native granite. The Thought
which lies last in my heart and which
now wish to finally express before l take
my seat is this, that each ono of you as
you return to your homes may take this
sentiment for your future guidance, that
we live in deeds, not years; in thoughts,
not words; in feelings, not in figures on
the dial. We shall count time by heart
throbs He most lives who feels most,
feels the noblest, acts the hest. Gentle
men, Mr. Speaker, Mr.. Clerk, / bid you all
adieu. (Applause.)
Mr.. Pattcn of Bath: | rise to second
this resolve on behalf Of the members OF
this House from Sagadahoc county. l
think every member of the House from
Sagadahoc has been eminently satisfied
with his treatment and with the treat
mcnt of every member OF the House by
our presiding officer. Sagadahoc is small
in area, but in Republicanism she is the
largest county in this State. (Applause.)
And sturdy little Sagadahoc hopes yet to
see our presiding officer holding the high
est office within the gift of the people OF
this State. (Applause.) And she hopes
moreover to see our faithful clerk yet
promoted to q higher office, that of secre-
tary of State. (Applause.)
Gentlemen, so far as am concerned, l
have to say that this winter has been to
me not only most valuable experience
but a most pleasant one, and feel for you
each and all the most hearty friendship
which l hope is reciprocatcd. (Applause.)
Mr. Larrabee of Portland: 1 desire to
add a word to the sentiment contained in
the resolution presented by the gentleman
from Ellsworth. | feel under great obi
cations to our distinguished Speaker, not
only for the constant and Envarying
courtesy and kindness which he has
shown to me- but for the great fidelity and
ability with which he has discharged the
duties of his position and dispatched the
business which has come before this
House We have daily assembled here
for nearly three months, and | presume
that each of us believes that we have been
fairly faithful to ourselves, to our duties
and to the interests of our constituents.
And yet there are few if any who can say
that they have been in their seats through
every session of this Legislature. have
not been present in this House when the
distinguished gentleman whom we now
honor did not open the business of the
House and direct it at every session that
we have had this winter. Can any
stronger proof of fidelity to your interests
and to the interests of the State be shown:
Of the ability with which he has dis
charged the duties of his office. results ut
test. The Legislature of 1895 is of the
same duration TO Il day as was the Legis-
lature of 1898. The volume of business
which this Legislature has transacted is
far in excess of that transacted by pre-
vious Legislatures; and that we have been
able to accomplish SO much more in cx-
actly the same length of time is largely
due to the dispatch with which business
has been handled at the Speakers desk
can say no kinder thing to our dis
tinguished friend than that hope he may
live long to enjoy that perfect health which
has enabled him to be so constant and
faithful to our interests and to the in
tercsts of the State. And while we say
goodby to him, do not forget that we are
to say goodby to each other. Men who
have hearts, men Of honest purpose and
thought who have been associated together
as long as we have been, when they are
about to return to their homes and break
the associations of the past few months
cannot fail to have mingled feelings of
pleasure and regret, feelings much more
kcenly felt than can be plainly stated |
can only say that am sorry to leave. yet
I am glad to 90. You have been very kind
to me; / shall bear from this hall the
kindcst recollections of our associations.