Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-12-15
THE LEGISLATURE.
FR0.u Our CoRREsPnvDE.,-T
RICHMOND. DEC. :. Iss

TN Monday last. the period hxed by
law FOR the meeting Of the General
Assembly. both houses were organized.
In the Senate, WA. E. Hour, Esq. was
reelected Speaker,without opposition;
and the old officers re appointed. In
the House of Delegates, a contest took
place for the Speakers chair; and the
vote stood thus:-
For LINN BANKS, Of Madison, SC.
JAMES II. GiIOLSON, Of Brunswick, So
Gro. w. MusFoRp was unanimous
y reelected Clerk, and the other off
GERS OF the last session were reap
pointed.
As some Of your readers are not fami-
liar with the method Of organizing a deli
berative assembly. IL may not be ami.s
here TO state il. The member. having Ia
ken the oaths prescribed by Law, lay upon
the clerks table their cer;ific ates OF cleo
tien. and certificate from a member Of
the Executive Council, that they have du-
ly qualified. Al the hour Of IL. the oldest
member Of the body, that is, the one " no
has served the longest period in regular
succession. (who is called the Father Of
. the Hou:c.) rises in his place. and calls The
house TO order. lie then addresses them
thus: Gentlemen. the hour having ar
rived. II Is our duty TO organize this house ::
and for this purpose. propose to your
consideration, as Clerk. the name Of Geo
w. Munford, who has for many years fill
ed the situation with great ability. and to
the entire satisfaction Of this house,
Taking his seat a moment. 10 give an op-
portunity for any other nomination. he
then and ". -.
son being IN nomination. / will put the
quesiion-sll who are in favor. sc. will
say Ayc-ihose Of a contrary opinion, will
say No." sc Upon this occasion, the
duty of calling the house TO order, de.
vol,ed upon Mr. CnuNp. Of Surry
The clerk having been appointed. and
conducted into the house by the gentle
men nominating him, he takes his seat at
The table, and for the time being Is chair
usn. A member then rises. aud proposes
The election Of Speaker. and makes
nomination, stating the qualliic atiors Of
The candidate. In this case. Mr. Bryce
OF Goochland, nominated LISs BAxEs for
reelection. and cited his experience and
o'her qualities IN support Of the nomina-
iion. Mr.. Shell. Of Brunswick. nominated
his friend and colleague. JANIS RI GioL.
SON. as a gentleman combining the ply
sical aud intellectual qualifications neces
safy 10 dignity and adofn the station The
nomination Of Mr. Banks was supported
by hIr Whcher. Of Piusylvsnia and thst
OF MIR Gholson by Mr.. Brodnsx. Of Diu-
w'ddie. The remarks Of these gentlemen
were ofs courteous aud liberal character.
and not entirely destitute Of amusement
The speaking done. the clerk called the
roll, and each member designated his
choice by a rira roec vote The result is
stated above. The clerk then requested
Mr.. Bryce and Mr. Witcher 10 eonducl
the Speaker 60 the Char The speaker
having taken bis seat. rsse and returned
thanks FOR the renewsi OF the honor -
Those Who have not Witnessed such
ceremony. will al least excuse the minute
ness of ihis detaill
A Resolution, admitting The editors
"i newspapers within The bar 81 the
house. TO report the proceedings. was
then passed ard the Speaker stated
that ne would to morrow announce the
standing committees. A short inter.
val then occurred. under the cxpeSta
ton that the OOVefBUr would transmit
his annual commObiC alton. tot II be
ing animated that the senate bad adj
J"ufned without RECEIVING ~, the house
also adj"urrcd.
On Imadoy, the standing coWuit.
tees were announced by the hair. Bs
ihe present rules 81 the house. u.e
number o. members upon these com
mitiCe,, Is confined To- not less than
Hre nos more Than Thirteen. This Ger.
'aInly renders tie Speakers task less
pleasant, o. u - more inydiOU.. an
fannot be d,siinsu,,hcd- 80 the, sonps
moH ne,essaiily be disappointed
The Go,crhor's mes,sgc wasteeeiv.
rd and read. II embracos many sound
aud saluiafy sieNs: and although tis
so'neN lat lInetpred with notification.