Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-01

The several departments at the State
House will be closed today, on ac-
count of the New Years holiday, al
though some OF the State officials and
their STATS will be obliged to forget
the holiday. in order to close up their
years business. Saturday. after the
departure of the Governor. Council
and the many visitors. 1t was again
busy place, owing to the many callers
to sec about arrangements for the
Legislative session. which will open
Tuesday and in regard to the end-of-
the-year business.
The lawmakers and officials of the
incoming 18th Maine Legislature will
find the big granite Capitol spic and
span in every part. as Supt. of Public
Buildings Harry A. Plummer has had
his force at work for some time in put
ting everything in apple pie order.
Some of the Solons have arrived and
practically all will be here today. The
Republicans are of course strongly in
LEGISLATURE, yet the old time cam
paigners allow that there will be plen-
ty of interest and spice in the coming
session, beginning with the caucuses on
Tuesday evening. The sessionwill open
on Wednesday. with the inauguration
ceremonies on Thursday Some of the
interesting points which may be
watched appear about as follows:
Presidency Of the Senate
For the first time since 1882 when
Hon. Henry Lord of Bangor defeated
Hon. Herbert NJ. Heath Of Augusta for
the presidency of the Senate by one
vote there will be contest for the
position of presiding officer of the up
per branch at this session ard no one
can tell at this tme for a certainty
who will win. The candidates are Sen
ators Taber D. Bailey of Penobscot.
Martin f. Bartlett of Kennebec, AL
fred K. Ames Of Washington and Will
liam L. Walker of Somerset as a dark
horse, SO to speak.
1t is forecasted that William E.
Lawry of Augusta and l.. Ernest
Thornton Of Houlton will be reelected
secretary and assistant secretary OF
the Senate respectively.
Contest for Speaker
It is a three cornered contest for the
Speakership of the House between
Percival P. Baxter of Portland, Will
liam L. Bonney of Bowdoinham and
Clarence w. Dutton of Bingham. It is
claimed tina. no human being can
foretell the result Of this election, al
though various conjectures are natur-
ally In the air. Quite a lively contest
is on between William r. Roix of
Pressure Isle, and Edward E. Chase OF
Bluehill for the Office Of clerk of the
House. Mr.. Roix was the assistant
clerk at the session of 1909 and clerk
at the session of 1913 while Mr.. Chase
will on the first of the year retire from
the office of register of probate for
Hancock county.
For State Offices
More than one candidate is in the
lineup for the State Office the occu-
pants Of which are elected by the Leg
islature, secretary of State, treasurer
of State, commissioner OF agriculture
and attorney general.
The candidates for secretary OF State
are Joseph E. Alexander of Richmond,
WHO SGTNcu III lllS Capacity uui MS SiAN
last Republican administration. Charles
F. Sweet of Bangor, who was for
many years the clerk of courts for
Hancock county. Willis B. Hall OF
Portland, who served as a member OF
the lower branch of the Legislature
while resident of Caribou, and Frank
w. Ball of Dover the present clerk OF
courts for. Piscataquis county.
The process of elimination has mar
rowed the candidates for the office of
attorney general down to five candi-
dates. Raymond w. Fellows of Bangor,
Frederick w. Hinckley of South Port
land. Guy II. Stu.sis of Portland, the
member of the Republican State COM
mittee from Cumberland county. ex-
Senator Frank l.. Dutton of Augusta
and ex-senator Ransford w. Shaw of
Houlton.
The candidates for the position of
commissioner of agriculture are John
A. Roberts of Norway and Howard L..
keyser of Greene, while those in the
running for the office of treasurer of
State are Joseph w. Simpson of York
and Col. Frederick l.. Boothby. mayor
of Waterville. Messrs. Roberts and
Simpson occupied the positions which
they are now seeking under the last
Republican administration.
Former Secretary of State Arthur /.
Brown of Augusta is said to have a
strong endorsement for the position of
deputy secretary of State, while some
of the friends of Henry A Shorey, Jr,
who was for two years the election
clerk in that office. are equally as GER
tain that he.will be appointed
Tho Councillor Contests
The candidates for the Executive
Council from the LIST District are ex-
Senator Horace Mitchell of Kittery,
ex-senator Edward F. Gowell of North
Berwick and ex-senator George H.
Smith of WATERFORD.
George w. Norton Of Portland, the
editor OF the Express Of
that city and the treasurer of the Re-
publican State committee. will be
elected as the councillor from'the End
District without opposition,
It is the turn of Sagadahoc county
to name the councillor in the 3rd Dis
trtct and the candidates are Frank B.
Nichols and Charles w. Clifford of
Bath and William B. Kendall of Bow
doinham.
Ex-Councillor Fred w. Bunker of
North Arson and Frank w. Briggs of
Skowhegan are the candidates in the