.MTczNA.MTk0MjM

The Clerk being thus duly qualified, the chairman retired from the desk, and the Clerk presided during the further organization.

A committee, consisting of Messrs. Smith of Bobleboro, Bourne of Kennebunk, Shaw of Wiscasset, Selden of Norridgewock + Folsom of Eastport, was appointed to receive, sort and count the votes for a Speaker; and on counting the same it appeared the whole number given in, was One hundred and forty four, - necessary to constitute an election, seventy three - that George Evans Esquire of Gardiner had ninety seven and was duly elected. on being notified on his election, he took the Speakers Chair + addressed the House as follows "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I request your acceptance of my most respectful acknowledgements, for the token of your confidence + partiality, with which I have been honored - To be esteemed worthy of this distinction, by so large a proportion of the representatives of an enlightened community, embracing so much worth, talent + legislative experience, demands my warmest gratitude, and inspires the strongest solicitude + the most powerful motives so to discharge the trust with which I am invested as to retain that good opinion now bestowed in advance. Sensible of the responsibilities and the obligations connected with the expression of your favor, I entertain a just diffidence of my ability to answer your reasonable expectations in the discharge f the duties to which I am called; yet I may hope with confidence not to fall short of that degree of success, which will ensure your kind and liberal indulgence for unintentional errors + imperfections, against which the best exercise of my humble powers will not always be an adequate security. To discharge the duties of this place with fidelity, accuracy, promptitude + impartiality, will be my unceasing endeavour , and I shall rely much upon the wisdom and experience of the House , for the attainment of this end.

In deliberative assemblies, especially under a popular form of government, entire unanimity of opinion will rarely if ever be found to exist, and it is hardly to be anticipated that we shall furnish an exception to this general truth convened at