Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-04-16

and gentlemen. as sons, nor knows she
either race or color or creed or party
This Is tie sentiment around which we
gather and which claims the allegiance OF
our hearts.
! again repeat, Mr.. Speaker, that l
esteem II an honor that the bad man of
the House should be chosen by your fell
low-mcnbers and mine to bring to You
message OF respect and regard You have
been the speaker OF this House, sir, and
we all have known it, and we know IL
now This has not been an easy matter,
for this House in its party lines is without
precedent in the history of this State. 1t
has required a strong hand to WELD .he
gsvel.
We recall many things here during
these long fifteen weeks. / recall that
there have been more points of order
raised here than in any previous legisla-
ture OF which 1 have been a member or
which have observed; and your rulings,
sir, have been fair, and we like to say it
to you to-day. (Applause.) Only once
did the exigency occur for an appeal to
the Hoase. and then the speaker was sus-
tanned, No other appeal has been taken;
no other question raised after you have
decided questions here, because the
House has seen the fairness OF your at
| titude and the ability behind your
rulings. Nor can any man recall once
| even in sll these fifteen weeks of session,
attitude OF fairness, in the recognition Of
a member on this floor OF high or low
degree. (Applause.)
| Nor have you once left your high posi-
ton to descend upon this floor in all these
| hours OF debate and contention to address
| this House upon any partisan question or
any other question; and because OF this
you have keep the respect of this House,
and you have earned, this high regard
which to-day this House tenders to you.
/ We have come together from many parts
/ OF the State to work together, and to-day,
| after all the contention, we are together.
I bring to you, sir, from the members Of
/ the House, your fellow members and
mine, not only q message OF respect and
a simple gift. IL Is a gift OF gold; you
have earned It. Many men of ability have
preceded you in this State in this high
/ office OF speaker. When the roll Is made
up, sir, and your name goes among the
rest, we say this, and we say 1t from the
heart because we mean it, that you will
be considered inferior to none and the
equal OF any.
Mr.. Speaker, say this is gift of gold,
type of what Is least furnished in this
world and most enduring; 1t marks the
hour, sir, and should teach you and us
that life goes on by the tick of the clock,
and that no man OF us lives in yesterdays,
nor yet in to-morrows, but we all live in
to-day; nor should you nor we borrow
which we have come, nor from the I'M
known tomorrow which spreads before
US. You will bear this gift, Mr.. Speaker,
to your home; it should abide with you
throughout your life, and when you look
upon its face, whether at midnight or at
noon time, we would have you remember,
sir, that scattered over the hills OF Maine,
upon the farms of Maine and in the cities
and villages OF this State there are at least
$50 men who are iyour friends; they are
your friends because you have made them
your friends by the high, honorable and
liable attitude which you have assumed
here In these fifteen weeks behind us.
Don't forget this, that the hearts OF $50
men will beat for you, though we may
never gather together again 70 look into
the faces OF each other.
SO Mr.. Speaker, bring you this small
gift bearing with 1t an expression OF the
respect, regard and affection of this House
prolonged appiause.l
SPEAKER PETERS REPLY.
Mr.. Nssrbert and gentlemen Of the House,
my friends:
Ithank you cordially and sincerely for
this gift. OF course / shall always keep it,
and OF course / shall always treasure it al
one OF my most valued possessions, and as
q memento OF the most pleasant, interest
ing and valuable experience OF my life
But beautiful and valuable as this is, Mr..
Newbert and gentlemen, 1t is as nothing
compared with my appreciation of the
sentiment expressed by you through Mr..
Newbert.
1t is said sometimes that duty done or
attempted to be done is a sufficient reward
in itself, but, gentlemen, / cannot deny
that 1t is sweet to hear an appreciation OF
an attempt TO perform duty only wish
that felt that deserved II in any degree
as expressed in the too kind words OF our
friend from Augusta (Mr. Newbert) and
apparently seconded by you with your
expression OF sympathy with his remarks.
1t has not been by reason of my efforts,
gentlemen, that any success has been at
tanned in the conduct OF the business OF
this House; could not have done any
thing without corporation on your part.
feel that owe you, gentlemen, as much
and more than you owe me. When we
came here we had no idea - had no idea
that the difficulties of this session would
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