Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1880 — How the Republican Members Organized Their Legislature in Maine. [ARTICLE]

How the Republican Members Organized Their Legislature in Maine.

An Augusta (Me.) Associated Press dispatch of the 12th gives the following account of the organization of the two houses of the State Legislature by the Republican members thereof: At twenty minutes to six this evening the Republican-members of tbe Senate and House of Representatives proceeded to the State House for the purpose of organizing the Legislature. The movement was entirely unknown to the Fusionists, and but few of the Republicans outside of the immediate members were aware of the position of affairs. The news that the Republicans had taken possession of the State House spread rapidly and caused great rejoiclDg among the Republicans, who have been impatient to have this result brought about. Mr. Lamson, President of tbe Senate, proceeded to General Chamberlain’s headquarters, and excitedly said: “I protest against these men coming, in.” The General informed Lamson that he should permit the men to oome In and stay as long as they pleased. There was no forcible resistance whatever. The halls were lighted, minor officers of the previous Legislatures, familiar with the premises, taking hold and lending their assistance. IN THE SENATE. i Hon. Jeremiah Plngley, Jr., callod the meeting to order, and Austin Harris was called to the chair. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr, Butler, member of the House. Charles W. Turner, Assistant Secretary of the last Senate, called the roll, and eighteen Senators responded to the call. A quorum was announced present, ail being Republicans, who proceeded to qualify, the oath being administered by the Hon. William M,Btratton. Andrew R. S. Smith was declared Senator from Lincoln County on the face of tbe retlJosepb A . Locke was chosen President, receiving all the votes thrown, 19; Charles W. Tilden was chosen. Secretary; and George R. Brackett, of Belfast, Assistant Secretary. Tbe following older was passed: ‘•Ordered. That a committee consisting of three members of the Senate be appointed Dy the President to report to tW Senate for its action whether the Senate shall call upon the Justices of the Supreme Court for their opinion touching the legal organization of the Senate for the Fifty-ninth Legislature, and to report for the action of the Senate such questions as the law and facts require In the premises.” IN THE HOUSE. The members of the House were called to order by Mr. Hale. Mr. Wentworth, of Kittery, was made temporary Chairman, and Smith, Clerk, who oailed the rwl of membere-elect. Ail the Republicans responded, but the Fusionists did not. Eighty-five members of tbe House responded to the call, and were qualified by William Stratton, Clerk of the Court of Kennebec County. tDutoeequontly six members who were not, by the race of tbe returns, elected, on account of defects, which were amended under the IAW of 1877. were admitted by a resolution submitted by Mr. St rout. r George K. Weeks, of Augusta, was elected Speaker. After the organization Mr. Hale offered a similarroaolution to that passed by the Benftf*dll|k tor thy appointment Of a commitdee Ac request the opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court as to the legality of the organisation of the House. In making the resolve, Mr. Hale spoke of the extraordinary circumstances under which they met. He said the objectWTtijc organization was to settle vital west ton* - affecting the organization of the Legislature and State Government. The House will obey the decision of the Court. i HaM’fl resolution wad adopted unanimously, tnid A*: a: Btrout, of Portland; L. Ifmvhlnson,