Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21
FORMALLY OPENED.
Beautiful "New" Senate Cham
Der Fittingly Dedicated.
Exercises, Tuesday Evening, With Dis
tinguished Speakers.
The AssembIase Look for First Time ,,non
The Handsome Decorations.

nc oiu senate chamber in its new
dress, was on exhibition, Tuesday even
ing, and its doting parents. Sunarin-
tendent of Public Buildings E. G. Stew
ems ana the COMMITTEES of the Cover
hofs Council, We're more than prond of
their beautiful prodigy. IF that sa,ot.
chamber was but human and it had
heard all the good things that were said
OF it. Tuesday evening, there would nor
ne room enough for it in the whole
state House and in the addition that is
70 De built in few years. II would
give mortal what is termed swell
ed mead to hear so many compliments
al one time. But the Senate chamber
is but one of the things of beauty mada
so by the cunning of artists hands and
py money, so it stands, today. more
beautiful and worthy of notice than
ever.
The occasion upon which the cham
Der was exhibited. was what might be
termed the formal opening, though the
projectors Of the opening claim for ii
merely a little informal affair, TO show
the place to the Governor and Council.
with their families, as we'll as to others
who would be interested to see the
place.
1t was an elegant affair, however,
and Colonel Stevens, who conducted 1T
from the issuing of the invitations to
the receiving of the compliments upon
his selection of the speakers, music and
readers, is certainly deserving of all
the praise that could be given HIM for
moved off.
The Senate chamber is not a large
place and in consequence, he could not
invite SO many as he wished TO do. He
|ascertained the seating capacity by ar
invitations were accordingly issued.
He said it would be better not to
have the affair at all than to have the
chamber crowded, so he had to select
about 800 including the State officials.
their families, the State House en-
pioyes and their families, and those of
the city people who are interested in the
place.
1t had been planned to have the OPEN
ing in November at the time of the last
meeting of the Governor and Council,
but the shocking death of Councillor
Freeman on the Inflated Portland, of
course put an end to all thoughts of
having it at that time.
| a pretty sight to those who are used to
| seeing it in all its sombreness. The
! front was a blaze of light for beside
| the Senate chamber opening, was the
meeting of the pedagogues in the Hall
| of Representatives. The new corners
| could easily recognize from without
the section of the building where the
| Senate chamber is located, for the
stained glass windows plainly marked
it.
| The visitors entered and laid off their
| wrans in the adjutant generals office
/ and in that of the secretary OF asrl-
culture. then taking the elevator to the
second floor. All had to pass the new
| of the Sanat4
| which is to many far prettier than the
| chamber itself, but it is the cosiness
that makes that appearance. me
desks. mantles and all about were pro-
| fusely decorated with chrysanthe-
NUNS in colors that blended we'll win
rho tints of the walls. Every man,
woman and child who passed tiis
beautiful room had to look in and ex-
claim at it's beauty, for the door Was
o, wide as if inviting the guests to
enter.
Attendants stood at the nam ooors
of the Senate and at the foot VI 'ne
gallery stairs SO that none Passe'
without a ticket. Once lnsloe tne
o,iest beheld the chamber IN All us
piorv. The greater part of those VINO
attended had not been lnsiue the
chamber since it was renovated aho
thew exclaimed at it's beauty. All 'he
scores of lights in the ceiiins' aoo"
tbo walls and in the great chanaeiiei
ware ablaze. making the colors OF the
wal, and ceiling as well as the re'iel
work show up to a great advantage
Those who participated were sea'e.
conveniently. and the others were a'
shown to seats by the courteous ush'
erS.
Nv the hour appointed for the com
,,encement of the exercises nearly 'o'
nao,,e including Governor Powers MS
council and many of their LADIES' nat
assembled Then the assehio'as
c,i,ed to order by Colonel stevens am
The following programme carried OUT
yachting Glee'-Culbertso,n .
Seieclio'' Abnaki Club MAZE V Her,,e
Inc Finder the Norm S star, R,,tle