Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-28
Connecticut Legislature.


 near the platform at the right. They were accompanied. by Mrs. John A. Lilley of Waterbury, wife of a brother of the late governor.
 On the platform with the presiding officer were Gov. Frank B. Weeks and Executive Secretary Charles A. Good win, Attorney General Marcus H. Hol- comb, Comptroller Thomas D. Brad street and State Treasurer Freeman F. Patten, and the chaplains of the senate and house. The governors staff in full uniform were seated at the right of the platform and back of Mrs. Lilley.
 After the opening of the convention by President Brooks, Chaplain Sexton offered prayer.
 Address by Senator SearIs.
 Memorial resolutions offered by Sem ator Searls and Representative Hayes were adopted.
 Senator Searls in moving the pas sage of his resolution said in part:
 Tt is enough to say that Governor Lilley, after a successful business life, was elected to office in his own city, and in due time he became a member of the general assembly and was aft erward elected congressman large. He was elected by the people of the state to the highest position in their gift-the chief magistracy of the state. Then the end came. The bolt fell. Governor Lilley left us. He was never defeated. When elected to his high position there was bright future for years to come. In the old Roman days the Roman senate thought that no greater honor could be done a man who filled positions in public life than to declare that he deserved well of the people. The verdict of the citizens of Connecticut is that Governor Lilley deserved well of the people. Do good men who have faithfully worked for their fellow men, pass away and vanish when they cease to live? In sense. yes; but, no. neveri They remain as as beacons of light that answer to each other down the Illuminating ages.
 Let him sleep until through the air the Angel of the Resurrection is heard Peace to his ashes, honor to his memory and rest to his soul"
 Senator Luther's Remarks.
 Senator Luther of the First district spoke in part as follows:
 This man whose untimeIy taking off we mourn had filled and was filling a large place in the political life of Con necticut. And when I use the words political life l refer to about the highest expression of the conscious ness of human brotherhood It is pol itics through which is achieved and must be achieved every step in human progress. Politics is not a selfish scramble for advantage, 1t is not an arena for the convention of the baser elements in human nature, not the profession of the insincere. It is the opportunity of our best and greatest it is the divinely ordered process of evolution. Our late governor was a politician. He busted himself largely in public affairs. He concerned him self much with matters that should be of the highest interest to every American and should engage the serv- ice of all loyal citizens. His career was stormy. He made bitter enemies and devoted friends. His last year or two of life was spent in the midst of tumult and the shouting of manifold voices. Here in this chamber he pro- claimed but yesterday his resolute purpose to lead the people of this commonwealth, if they would follow him, along what seemed to. him the path of progress. He announced, a purpose to undertake, not that reform which is content with fault finding but an effort toward unceasing better ment. which is the condition of all healthful life. He died with it all un- accomplished. Ills aspirations, hopes ambitions, plans, were not to. be full filled by himself This is the dark tragedy of today. The brighter side we shall realize if we resolve that whatever of high purpose and resolu- tion animated our leaders soul shall find it's expression in our words and acts. We shall best record our sym pathy if we consecrate our public ser vice to the completion of great under takings in the interest of the people who called our governor to lead them We may think one further thought at least; we may resolve that from this day forward we will be kind in pub lie speech. slow to wrath unwilling tc believe evil Taking a lesson from the finest feature in Governor Lil- ley's stormy life. from the dignity 0. it's last half-year, frem his silence uhen silence must have been difficult