Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-23
The Capitol in Readiness for
Gov. Powers Reception.
Session, Hearings and Reception Wi
! Make a Busy Day.
Washinston's Birthday Al the State House
Features Of Today's Programme.

omission of the usual Monday after
noon session. The elaborate display of
flags and bunting through the building
was not In honor Of the Father of his
Country. as casual visitor might
have Imagined, but was in preparation
Tor the Governors reception. today.
The Offices were all open and the
routine of daily work went on. A few
oil the members came scattering back
on the various trains from visits home
over Sunday. but the halls of the Sem
ate and House We're pretty well de-
serted during the day.
On every side there was the hustle
and preparation for today, the gala oc-
casion of the whole winter, when the
Governor of Maine will welcome the
people of the State to the Capitol The
reception of the Governor is always a
feature of the session and is an occa-
sion long looked for by many No
efforts have been spared to make the
reception of Governor Powers, this
afternoon, success in every respect,
and only the advent Of the threatened
storm that was so common a topic of
conversation yesterday. can mar the
affair." storm on the day of the
Governors reception would be in fla
grant violation of the constitution and
laws of the State.
Mr.. D. b. Allen. who has charge Of
the decorations. had crew of men at
work at the Capitol all day, Sunday,
and the work was continued, yester-
day. until everything was in readiness
except the flowers, which Miss Sanborn
win arrange, this morning. The deco
rations are both profuse and pretty.
everything being done in perfect taste.
AS we enter the large rotunda a beau
tiful scene is presented to the eye.
Everywhere there are the national
colcrs, red, white and blue, in flags,
bunting, and streamers. The pillars
are wrapped, and there are clusters of
flags and bunting at their tops Long
streamers reach from the pillars to the
walk. The stand for the orchestra,
completely concealed with pretty
draperies. is at the right of the rotun-
da, as one enters. before the large case
of battle flags. In former years the
stand has generally been in the center
of the rotunda.
Every available place in the rotunda
and its approaches is made the most of
in the display of decorations. The
broad staircase and the landing at it's
head are also decorated as are the
stairs and landing leading from the
left of the rotunda to the executive de-
partment. The private room of the
Governor and the Council chamber
have been given much attention by Mr..
Allen and his assistants and also by
Miss Sanborn. They are the scene of
the reception proper and their natural
ATTRACTIONS are improved upon in every
possible manner. In addition to the
many flags and streamers and masses
| of bunting. artistically arranged. over
head and around. and from chande-
Tiers to walks. there are to be masses CT
flowers in both rooms. In the Council
chamber the large pastel of the Gov
ernor, painted by Miss Cross, stands
] in bank of flowers on the desk. The
/ desks of the members of the Council
have been removed. giving all the
space possible.
| The reception begins at p. NJ. and
will continue most Of the afternoon,
and if the day is pleasant, the largest
| crowd of the winter will be present
representing every section of the State.
During the whole afternoon there will
be the best of orchestra music in the
rotunda. The reception will be in the
! executive rooms. In the private room
of the Governor, Governor and Mrs.
Powers will receive. assisted by Presi-
dent Day and Speaker Larrabee with
Mrs. F. NJ. Simpson and Mrs. Larrabee
The full staff in uniform will be pres
ent. The ladies of the Council with
others will receive in the Council cham
her where the guests will pass from the
Governors room. The exit will be by
the door from the Council chamber to
the House folding room, which is gen.
orally closed.
The reception is the chief feature of
the day at the Capitol. but it is not the
only feature. There will be session
OF both branches, this forenoon, at 10
O'clock. which will probably occupy
the time till noon.
There are also good number of COM
mittee hearings scheduled for this
afternoon. but no doubt some of them
will be postponed. The committees on
legal affairs, education, insurance,
financial affairs, salaries. ways and
bridges. State lands and roads, and sea
and shore fisheries all have hearings.
many quite important. on the pro-
gramme for this afternoon.
/ Governor and Mrs. Powers and the
staff with a number Of others who at
tended the dedication of Powers hall
at Pittsfield, last evening, will arrive
! on the forenoon train.
So with the session the hearings, the
reception and the grand ball in City
hall, this evening, the day promises to
! lie a busy and pleasant one for the
! Maine legislators and their friends,
! and they will need all the energy they
have stored up in the recess over the
past three days.
Very interesting exercises were held
| at the Hewins school, Monday after