Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-08
ORGANIZATION.
The Senate and House Now
Ready for Business.
Hon. Harry Virgin Elected President
Of the Senate.
The House Chooses Hon. Oscar F. Eel.
lows as Speaker.

oN'iiiSoo. lie organization OF both
branches was completed, yesterday,
ana now everybody merely awaits the
inauguration ceremonies, the appoint
ment OF the joint standing committees
and the adjournment over Sunday be-
lore beginning the real work of the
session.
Shortly after 9 o'clock, yesterday
morning, the members elect to the
House assembled for the purpose of
drawing seats. This procedure was,
as is usually the case, attended by more
or less merriment, especially when a
member happened to draw some seat
in an obscure part of the House in
stead of somewhere in the front part
of the hall. The members of the Ken
nebec county delegation in the main,
secured fairly good seats.
Gannett of Augusta, didn't fare quite
so we'll as some of the others Seat
No. % fell to his lot 1t is at the ex-
IRENE end of the section near the north
east entrance and was occupied by
Davis of Waterville, last year. His col
| league, Dudley, is located at the other
side of the hall within three seats of
the rear. Davis of Waterville, drew
seat "a near the center of the third sec
ton, While his colleague, Pooler, landed
away down front in one of the best
seats in the hail. Bodwell of HalloweH
| is located in the seat occupied by
Chase of Portland, last session, which
| Is next to the front row at the extreme
| end of the room. Thompson of China,
drew the seat which Xix of Rockland,
| occupied in the last session. 1t is
somewhat in the rear, but the gentle
man is gifted with a good voice and
when he wishes to say anything will
find no difficulty in making himself
heard. Directly behind Davis will sit
| Reynolds of Winslow, while to his i'm
| mediate rear Snowe of West Gardiner,
has ensconced himself Norton of Gar
| diner, has a fine seat, well down front
| and to the left of the Speaker. Blake
of Sidney, is across the aisle from
| Thompson of China, and Lamb of Ran
| dolph, is only one or two seats away.
Libby of Oakland, has seat 100 in the
rear row near the center. On the
whole the members of the Kennebec
delegation have no reason to COM
plain.
After the drawing of seats was COM
pleted the business of organizing each
branch was begun and the program
| outlined in Monday mornings Journal
was followed in every detail.
In the Senate, Secretary Dunbar
| called the certified roll and in the
| House, Clerk Cotton performed the
same duty. Every Senator elect was
present, but nine members-elect of the
House were not in attendance when
their names We're called. Six of these
were about the building, however, so
that only three were really absent.
Gov. Hill was first called to ad-
ministrate the oaths to the members
| elect of the Senate, and he entered the
| chamber, attended by members of his
Council and various State officers, and
| took his place at the Presidents desk.
| He then requested the members ELECT
to stand, hold up their right hands and
repeat after him the necessary oaths
| to qualify them to enter upon the dis
| charge of their official duties. None
of the members affirmed; all took the
prescribed oaths, and in addition sub
scribed to the same. Later on, the
Governor visited the House and ad-
ministered the oaths to the members
elect of that body.
| Then came the election of officers.
In the Senate the candidates nomi-
mated by the Republican caucus, Tues
| day night were elected. Senator
| Staples of Knox, the lone Democrat
of the higher body, refrained from vot-
| ing. The speech of acceptance de-
| Iivered by President Virgin was a gem.
In it he referred to the fact that 81
years ago he was inspired with the
ambition to fill this honorable and ex-
| allied position which his honored
and respected father at that time oc-
cupied. There is little doubt that
President Virgin will make a model
presiding officer fair, impartial and
always courteous.
over in the House Speaker Fellows,
on taking the chair to which he was
elected. also made a brief speech, in
which he assured the members of the
House that he was grateful for the
honors bestowed upon him and that
his earnest endeavors would be to give
| to every member just, honorable and
courteous treatment during the term
of his office.
The Democrats of the House voted
| for their caucus nominees through
out Davis of Waterville, receiving the
Iull complement Ol NoleS IoI TIC
| Speakership. He was courteously APP
pointed to escort his successful COM
| petitor to the chair, which he did in
a graceful manner.
After the work of organization was
completed the Senate charged Senator
Goodwin of Somerset, with a message
to the Governor and Council that the
Senate had organized, and delegated
Senator. Manley of Kennebec to i'm
part the same information to the
House. Each attended to his respec-
tive duty.
The House empowered Representa-
tive Pettingill of Rumford. to notify
the Governor and Council that the body
of which he is distinguished member
was ready for business. and Repre-
sentative Eaton of Calais, was sent to
the Senate with the same message.
Then came adjournment until 10
O'Clock, today. when the Inauguration
ceremonies will begin.
Thrao pafients were discharged from