Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-03
SENATE OF VIRGINIA.


The Senate assembled in their Chamber; when Mr.
Ope nominated John w Nash Of the Chesterfield Dis
trict as Speaker Of the Senate Mr.. Nash elected
without any further nomination, and with some scatter
nr votes; / for MIR Anderson, ; for Mr.. Carter.
Being conducted 10 the Chair, Mr. Nash addressed
the Senate as follows:
Geatismcn: Before proceed TO the discharge Of the
duties Of the Chair, I" which have just been called,
beg leave to express 10 the Senate my thanks for the
compliment which they have paid me- and TO assure you,
gentlemen, that am in no degree unnndtul Of the
delicate and serious responsibilities which will BE- I'M
posed upon me By th" station that about
10 assume For while il will be readily admitted that
abilities of extraordinary character not necessary
10 qualify an individual 10 discharge the duties of pre-
siding officer OF dciberntive body; yet all know,
that there certain qualifications Of peculiar charac
Ter both of mind and manners, which are necessary to
enable any gentleman 10 discharge with success the du
lies OF the Chair. Among these may be enumerated Il
perfect knowledge and familiarity with the rules and
PRINCIPLES oi para!In tary law with pronptitudr and
dcx,rriiy Of manner, th". application to the business
Of TIE Senate, accompanied by great moderation and
rood temper NJ the same time united with rnncss and
decision. ihcs" qualifications fear may not possess
III Sufficient degree, 10 render my lection Is desirable
rs that which would hay" resulted from the choice of
many other gentlemen of this body. shall therefore,
eniicmcn promise Won but little, very little indeed,
except assidy III the discharge of my duties, impair
tiai in my decisions, and sacred regard TO The rights
and feelings OF every member of the Senate.
Having said this much, gentlemen, 1t Is due to my
self 10 add that having been selected as the mere or
man OF the Senate execute their will, and not my
own shall confidently expect from every member OF
this BODY hearty cooperation, every proper effort
on my part TO preserve the good order and the dignity
Of The Senate of virginia. In times of high party rx-
crmcnf wr all know the great liability Of running INTO
extremes IN debate, and of violating those rules OF good
order and dccorum which should all be ANXIOUS to
Observe when free from excitement. II IS fact, too,
which cannot be disguised that We are now upon the
eve of important and eventiul session OF the Gc-
neral Assembly of Virginia. during which we shall pro-
badly he called deliberate upon some OF the most
interesting and exciting questions which now occupy
the attention of the American people, questions upon
which many of the wiscs and best patriots of our
country have Differed and may fairly differ. Let us
then cherish our respective opinions with rmncss but
with moderation and forbcaranco, for the varying OPT
Mons of others who may differ with liz, and whose mo-
lives and patriotism are little liable to question our
own Acting under the influence of these feelings,
We shall give constituents the best guarantee Tor
a successful discharge Of duties And with be-
lief that such will bc course, VII! now proceed
10 The discharge of those duties which the Constitution
has deyoIvcd upon US lcgsIating with single eye to
the Interests and honor of our ancient and beloved Com
monwcalth.
All the former officers then reelected, witho
the smallest opposition; viz: Mr. a. fanstord as Clerk
Mr. Littebury Allen, Sergrant-at- Arms-and Aessrs.
Julius Martin and Thomas NJ Nelson as DoorkeePcrs.
The Governors Message was read and ordered to be
printcd-And then the Senate adjourned