Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-02


with you the best wishes and the KIND
ly feelings Of the men Of the 18th Leg
islature. (Applause)
1 Mr.. WALKER of Somerset: MI.
President: So rapidly does time fly
that almost before we are aware OF II
the end Of the session, which In the
beginning seemed SO far away, Is mere.
The work Of the 18th Legislature OF
Maine is finished. That work must
now stand the test Of time and trial.
The wise laws which we have mace
will stand to our credit, the foolish
laws to our discredit. Our refusal to
pass pernicious laws and ill-advised
measures is perhaps the highest ser
vice which we have performed and
the people Of our State Will thank
us most for what we have refused to
do.
We must now part each going to
orr several homes and places of bus
mess. To me the session has been an
ENJOYABLE one, made SO largely by the
pleasant acquaintance which l nave
formed. l should be false to my con-
victions Of duty did l not thank the
members OF this Senate and Its OH
GERS for the very many courtesies
which l have received.
Up in the town Of Skowhegan on the
Wesserrunsette river, is little ham
let known as Malbons Mills. In that
little hamlet is my home and from It's
door long latch string hang1 out ana
you are all cordially invited to come
up and pull the string. And. now, l
say to you, Mr.. President. and to you,
the officers of this Senate and to you.
it's members, one and all, God prosper
you. (ApplauSe)
The PRESIDENT: 1t was not necessa-
ry that this beautiful bouquet should
have been placed upon my desk to exem-
plify by it's 80 pinks the true affections OF
the senators in this body. 1t was not
necessary that, in accordance with the
ancient custom and usages of the Senate,
this beautiful gold watch should have
been given to the Chair as further me-
mento of your affection and remembrance,
for when this Senate assembled and gave
me through my party associates it's UNI
divided and unanimous support, and those
of the other political faith the warm
handshake of friendly support, it was
sufficient to show to me, outside of any
material gifts. that l had your heart and
your Warmest support; and all through
this session of the Legislature, which in
one sense has been the most strenuous ell
the history of the State, where men have
met in legislative session to carry on the
business of the State, where they stand
with divided ranks almost equal, where
what is called a Republican Senate, with
majority of only three, is opposed to a
Democratic House, with almost like ad-
vantage, with Governor not in accord
ance with the faith of the Republican
party-so that the people of the State
said, and the newspapers reported, that it
was impossible under these circumstances
that the people should have any bust
ness done in this Legislature, men ev-
eryWhcre in cynical words said that you
couldn't do the business under those cir
cumstances. because men intent upon
getting political advantage would kill
things between the two houses.
We know that We met under those pc
culiar circumstances to organize the Leg
islature, to organize the Legislature to
elect our State officers, and, as was per-
fectly natural. political feeling ran high
in the opening days of this Legislature,
when in joint convention we struggled
day after day to elect our State officers
and almost every honest advantage was
taken by both sides that they might elect
their own officers. 1t was my honor and
my privilege to preside over that Joint
convention under those circumstances.
While l endeavored to do my duty as
saw it, had to contend with that feeling
on both sides. Two appeals were taken
from the decision of the Chair, one by
Democrats and the other by Republicans.
and l am pleased to note and always to
remember that those appeals were not
sustained, and l have reason to believe
that when the future comes to write the
history of the present the Chair will be
sustained.
] am pleased to note that at that time
We came from that joint session with no
bad feeling. without any malice, with
out any enmity between the different po-
litical parties, and l am pleased to know
today, looking into your faces, with the
strenuous life we have had in all the mat
ters between the houses, that We have
been trying to legislate for the people
that in all the trying scenes and circum-
stances of the Senate there has been no
appeal taken from the Chair. ] don't wish
to say that my rulings have always been
right: perhaps they were not but l wish
to say that the Chair all the time felt,
not only that he was right. but that he
wanted to be right; and l thank you,
thank you. senators, for the patience with
which you have borne my rulings; and
mite harsh, or little bit like my old
friend Tom Reed, that in your heart of
hearts you have forgotten it and placed
it on the side of the ledger to my credit.
l have endeavored to keep the scales
even. ! am man of strong opinions
you might call them. l hope not preju.
dccs. When 1 believe in a matter l am
in it with my whole life and soul. l can.
not help it. and if at times in my rulings
something of my opinion creeps in, I hope
you will allow it is human nature and
overlook it.
came to this Legislature eight years
aso' see only few in this body who
came with me, and not one in the House
Senators Colby, Emery and Boynton came
with me. They have remained with me
ever since. Through the years, around
the tendrils Of my heart has grown the
friendship of these men. They are worth
something to the State of Maine. / see
other men in the Senate who have beer
with me shorter time, but are what we