Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-05
ORGANIZATION,
The 69th Legislature Meets
and The Gave| Falls.
Seats Drawn and Officers Elected as
Nominated.
Governor Powers Administers Oaths. -This is
Inauguration Day.

The 69th Legislature of Maine is now
in working order. The formal organ
ization came, yesterday, and it will be
followed by the Inauguration cere-
monies, today, and then will come Il
recess over Sunday. The stages of
anticipation and preparation are now
over and with the announcement of the
committees. today, all hands will be
ready for business. Besides the or
ganization exercises, yesterday morn
ing, in the two branches, much inter-
est conferred in the general Republican
caucus. last evening, for the nominal
ton Of State officers, seven councillors
| ard a United States senator who will
be elected. this morning. after the
Governor reads his address.
The crowds filed into the State House
early, yesterday morning. Besides the
/ legislators there were a host of their
friends, many past legislators and
many interested in present and future
legislation. A large number of specta-
| tors looked down from the galleries
upon the busy scenes on the floor. 1t
was the largest and liveliest crowd
that the Capitol has known since the
! adjournment of the |6Sth Legislature,
almost two years ago.
At $50 Clerk Cotton called the noisy
assembly in the hall of the House 70
order and for an hour the drawing of
seats was in order In past sessions
there have generally been two or three
members who by reason of age or long
service were allowed by unanimous
consent to select their seats before the
general drawing, but this year no
members were given such considera-
ton, and the drawing at once began in
Alphabetical order. The numbers Were
placed in box and each member came.
to the clerks desk and drew, as his
member drew for those absent. Alb
bolt of Dexter drew 40, Adams of May.
field 50. Beal of Bangor Sc, and so on
down the long list of 151 members.
The two Augusta members Jared well.
Mr.. Macomber drew 46 in the front
row, just before the speakers desk.
Mr.. Manley drew a seat in the rear,
but by a number of exchanges secured
seat 81, just beside Mr.. Macomber.
This seat is the one held SO long by
Major Dickey. Judge Philbrook holds
the same seat as two years ago. Mr..
Guernsey, another prominent candi-
date for the speakership, secured a
seat in the front row. Mr.. Stetson OF
Bangor, in an hour to be elected
speaker. drew seat $50. way in the
rear. The drawing of seats was the
occasion of much good natured ban
tering. and there were a number of
exchanges made.
At 1920 A N. the drawing was COM
plete, and the members-elect We're
called to order by the clerk for the
formal organization of the Goth Legis
lature.
The opening prayer of the session
was made by Rev. James S. William
son OF Augusta. The roll call showed
| JAG members present. leaving eight alb
| sent, some of whom appeared later.
| The galleries and floor space were filled
with spectators during the organiza-
ton ceremonies, many prominent men
from all parts of the State being among
them. The first step in the organiza-
ton was the administering Of the oath
to the members by the Governor. IT
was an impressive sight. The men,
| bers stood, held up their right hands.
and repeated the oath in concert after
the Governor. Then the officers nomi-
mated at the Republican caucus OF
1 Tuesday evening were elected in turn