Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-19
WEDNESDAYS WORK.
BRET Sessions and Little Bust
ness Transacted.
Joint Convention Formally Declares
Hale Elected.
view Presiding Officers Committee Hearings
Notes Of the Capitol.

"hen the Maine Legislature was
called to order, Wednesday morning
there were a large number Of vacan,
seats in both branches. The session
was about Is minutes long. the shortest
yet. and then came a recess till II. so
when the two bodies met in joint con-
vention for the announcement of the
result of the vote for United States
senator. Both the presiding officers
We're with the large party that at
tended Mr.. Dingley's funeral i'm Lewis
speaker pro tenn in the House. and Mr..
Reynolds of Cumberland, president pro
| tenn in the Senate. Both won MANY
compliments for the manner in which
they acquitted themselves in their re-
spective chairs. The session itself was
as embarrassing asst was brief. Very
few new measures and only routine
business was done. Then came the
long loaf till the hour for the joint con-
vention arrived.
At 11.50 both bodies were called to
order, nearly all the members having
remained. \ little later the members
of the Senate proceeded to the hall of
the House. Senator Reynolds presided
over the joint convention. At exactly
the hour of noon they proceeded to the
business in hand. The records of
Tuesdays session when the balloting
for senator occurred, We're read, and
an order was given unanimous passage
declaring Hon. Eugene Hale elected to
the United States Senate for the terra
beginning March 4. 1899. The cere-
mony was very brief and simple. and
at 1910, the joint convention was dis
solved, and adjournment was made 20
the usual hour, today.
Among the few new measures that
appeared in the House these may be
mentioned. Sargent of Portland, pre-
sented bill for the appointment of
fire commissioner in Portland to have
entire charge of the fire department.
Livermore Falls and Newport both ask
for the establishment OF a municipal
court There was batch of petitions
for the repeal Of the road commissioner
law Merrill of Skowhegan, put in a
bill for the establishment of a town
council in Skowhegan. This has been
previously explained in the Journal.
a bill by Abbott of Dexter. providing
for continuance of one-half of the
salaries of judge of the supreme court
after resignation or non-appointment.
A resolve was presented carrying 5000
for the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary
in Portland "A long Oxford county
petition was received with 2l2 names
urging that game wardens be elected
by popular vote.
In the Senate there was even less
new business. Bishop James A. Healy
petitions for the usual State aid for
St. Elizabeth's orphan Asylum in Port
land. Weeks of Somerset. presented
the well known bill of Mr.. Barrett of
Canaan. to amend the ballot law. This
provides for ballot printed by the
State having the party ballots pasted
upon it. The voter merely tears off the
vote he wishes to use and casts 1t with
no mark upon it, 1t was ordered thas
The committee on public buildings IN
| u,,ire into the expediency of providing
a room in the State House for an office
| for the commissioners of inland fish
cries and game, and also place where
snecimens of the game and fish of the
state may be exhibited.
| Governor Powers, President Clason,
| Sneaker Stetson, the joint special COM
| mittee. and numerous members ana
state officials went to Lewiston on the
40 A. Nj. train to attend Mr.. Ding
,cv.s funeral. They returned on the
afternoon train. From 10 to IL the
various department offices in the Cap
i:ol were closed as mark OF respect
to the memory of the dead statesman
The meeting of the Maine Press AS
ISOLATION and the State Board of Asrl-
cu,ture at the State House brought
MANY additional visitors, yesterday
whose presence made things iiveiiei
there. Full reports of the meetings. 81
tthese organizations are given else
where. These meetings Will continue
today.
The Penobscot county delegation
! had a meeting after the session, Wcdnes
. flay. and talked over several matters
.. rf nroposed legislation affecting tina
section. The meeting was an informa
. ono. and no definite action was take'
5 an any of the various matters dis
: cussed.
!, Representative Albert X. Buck OF Or
: land. was. yesterday, granted a week
4 ,v.va of absence on account OF illness
,1> ,vaS here the first few daV