Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-02
The LeaisIative ORGANIZATION.

cells post and rev other Things came
in together sunny. smiling, happy.
The coincidence is prophetic and aus
pieious. II presages better things in
1913 than we enjoyed in 1912. 1t be-
speaks happy outcome of some of
the knotty problems that have dis
turbed us all, in recent months. Names
good sense, native honesty and char
aeteristic fairness have, as ever, won
at the crisis.
We are now ready to go ahead I'M
derstandingly, tolerantly. giving to
and accepting from those whom we
find opposing us such concessions as
make for mutual progress and better
ment.
We find in existing conditions on
Jan. |. 1918. ample reason for facing
the new year with courage and hope
il is not the dawnine of new era.
but rather the unfolding of the forces
of time and enlightenment We see
with increasing light the solution OF
our destinies. In obstacles overcome
We find new inspiration. We bow
1912 into eternity and greet 1913
cheerfully and with confidence. We
see more clearly. today, the ignorance
and bigotry of yesterday. We turn
10 erstwhile opponents with gladness
in our. hearts and warmth in our hand
clasps.
In the opening of the legislative
session we find much for congratu-
lation. II the party now in control
has suffered tribuation and ehastise-
ment, let us accept it as in some
measure deserved and regard it as one
of the agencies for the correction of
old mistakes and the curing of old ills.
The organization of the Legislature
is credit to both houses and to the
State. There was everywhere mani
fest the l<indliest spirit, and the sin
gle aim of putting the most efficient
men in the various positions.
The presiding officer of the Senate.
Hon Carl i. Milliken of Island Falls,
unusual promise. He is a trained par
Humanitarian. a man of calm and
sound judgment, and a speaker of
exceptional grace and felicity of Ian
guage. No Progressive could have
been more earnest or enthusiastic for
the election of Mr.. Milliken than was
every man of the straight Republican
faith. He was the logical as well as
the popular choice for the Presidency
of the Senate and there was no OPP
position.
In the House, the Hon. John A. Pc
tiers of Ellsworth. was the unanimous
choice OF the nominating caucus, Pro-
gressives participating, for Speaker.
His selection could not have been i'm
proved upon by any party in this
State, ard he has strong friends in all
parties.
With such presiding officers, both
of whom are well known to nearly all,
If not every man of the Senate and
House, there is no question in any
mind regarding the facility and in
tegrity with which the sessions of
both bodies will be conducted We
have had occasion in the past 10 ex-
press our approval and admiration for
both these able gentlemen. We need
not repeat; but OF some of the other
officers chosen, young men who have
their records in public service to make,
We wish to say good word so far
as our personal acquaintance and
space will permit
William r. Lawry, secretary of the
Senate. is newspaper man and so
geodza journalist that some of his
newspaper friends will regret his
breaking away from the profession
He has had experience in positions of
trust and responsibility in Portland,
in Lewiston. as associate editor OF the
Kennebec Journal and later as Asso-
ciated Press representative in Angus
ia and correspondent for various daily
newspapers i'm and out of the State.
Mr.. Lawry has the ability. the energy
and the disposition TO give the Senate
as good service as ever received. We
bespeak his best. efforts in his new
position.
In the House. William r. Roix of
Ashland is the. efficient, painstaking,
courteous and popular clerk. The
State might have been raked from
end to end without finding a more
competent or Jealous officer for this
position.
il is gratifying to those interested
in the affairs of the State as well as
10 the senators and representatives
themselves. that the legislative ma
chinery has been set in motion with
a corps of such efficient young men
as Gardner X. Heath Of Augusta, as