New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-01-01
Hon, John L. Kennedy,

House OF Representatives, made the following adj
mirablc remarks on taking the Chair
GENTLEMEN This distinguished proof of your conf
dencc which has assigned to be the station
py cxacts of me- my first duty in taking the Chair
the acknowledgment of my obligation to you for the
honor you have conferred. may in part ecquit myself
of that obligation most appropriately, and in manner
the most agreeable TO you by assuring you that sha
endeayor faithfully to administer the office committed
to my charge | cannot but be aware gentlemen that
YOU have set higher estimate upon ability to perform
this function than am justly entitled to claim. may
presume that you have looked rather TO The experience
am supposed 20 have gained in legislative career, be-
ginning many years ago in this House and continued IN
more recent periods, the Congress OF the United
Sta,os than To- the actual qualifications BRING 10 'he
post which your friendly consideration mas Just con
signed To me II l. true have had many opportunities
10 study the characteristic duties OF Legislative BODIES.
their course business and rules OF Government put
am obliged confess TO you that 1t u equally true nave
bestowed but little pains upon the enOrt to make NY
master of these subjects. have generally been con
tent To trust 10 the guidance OF those VINO nave gwen
more attention than have to that peculiar orsnch oil
legislative service which refers to the control ana con
duct of it's action and been willing 10 regulate my own
course almost without inquiry. by their example ana
better nd gment For the hrst time therefore IN my
life do md myself IN position Nnicn leads me
To regret that have not more assduOusy improved te
oppoItuntes which have fallen in my way TO cultivate
more intimate acquaintance with tho questions arising
out Of parliamentary law.
Nv imperfect experiences, however, gentlemen has
taught me some useful truths: that good Legislative
body in grea, degree governs Itself that that decor
Gus se respect which is OF the higher qualities OF
legislator naturally beges courtesy dignity subordna
ton to rules orbearance from each member to the
House and from all to each and leaves the Speaker III
tie else to do than to point out the ordinary and pre-
scrbed routine OF business that the collisions wncn
sometimes arise in the heat OF debate never better
sabdued and tempered than by the good of nte
cent men timely invoked to preserve the ORDER OF ne
body: and that the most complicated questions may ID
general be settled To the satisfaction oil ALL wnen tneie
Is sincere desire the part OF the members TO pro
mote and sustain the harmony OF their deliberations
Trusting implicitly TO these considerations eel assured
that in the present representatives, OF the STATE nai
md all the aid toward the proper discharge OF the du.
ties OF the chair, which be derived from men IN
every respect worthy Of the confidence reposed tnem
and whose characters may justify the highest eXpects
| tons of the people.
To YOU gentlemen your constituents have assigned
the exercise the functions OF State sovereignty
The character honor prosperity oil Maryland are com
United to your charge and every man must ee tnai IN
his allotted and individual share OF this great trust he
acts in the presence of obseryan community VINO
hope 10 see their Legislative council both collectively
and personally exhibited wse sateemanship dl5nnen
by calm deliberatlOD, by moderation OF temper oy re-
spectfu submission to law. and by amenity OF deport
men,-uuates which invariably facilitate the tianeac
ton of business and the contented acquescenee
OF the people in the general aud particular fcsus vi ''
session. 800 81,
do not doubt that your abors will be crowned VIII
this rewardhe highest certainly, that the ambition
| a lover OF his country should coyet
| So far my eXeTtOns may contribute 10 tns ehe
they shall not be spared IL shall be my ann 10 dispense
of the chair in spirit OF the kndest ane
most respectful feeling 10 every member and 10 1ec
| the deliberations Of this body in manner when ma
believe most conducive to its harmonious and successiu
accomplishment of all that expected oil by the S'ae
In this task shall constantly stand IN need oil your IN
diligence and support and venture to ask, now ri tn
outset that may be freely counselled by the House
all cases OF difficulty that when am wrong may b'
set right and when right cordially and chectuay sus
| tanned II,
would take the liberty on this occasion, and Tor TIL
ask the indulgence of the Houseto suggest the pro
prety OF some revision Of the rules heretofore adopteu
These rules are somewhat different from those mos
familiar the general legislation OF this country and
some respecs | think, tend to unnecessary accumu
laton OF business, while they also remove some oil h'
guards which have been deemed requisite IN other lie
qislhtiyc bodies against hasty and improvident acts
thew were more nearly concerned to those OF the Ma
tonal Legislature, which are approved and ioruheo o.
the progressive experience OF more than nal centus
persuaded that the business Ci ms oody might
expedited under circumstances much more propitous
safe sation than those which exist that both Inn
would be- saved and more careful deberauon be secured
Another most important ADJ antage would be gained
thus enabling this body TO proht by the asccrtaneu an
settled pariamentry law and usage that law is ioun
in the recorded decisions OF parliamentary pracuce
| present you have such guide and the peculiarly
the proceeding heretofore adopted IN THIS House rem
ders many OF the established decisions oil other podie
inapplca5e II is truly said by writer OF some rcpl
taton on this subject that it is well worthy oil the car
State Legislatures 10 assimste their proceeding
az nearly as possible those OF Congress first becaus
il gives them the benefit OF the Congressional Manual
practice and second because on transfer oil men
Der of the state Legislature TO the broader sphere Oh 20
National Council he comes there no stranger TO j
forms of business but strengthened by an cxpenenc
which he may Immediately turn to good account
have thrown out these suggestions, gentlemen, i'
vour consideration If you approve OF them ! thin
YOU will lind but little difficulty in bringing them I'M
practical use.
, And now, gentlemen with renewal OF my thanks i'
the good opinion implied in the distinction you have co
ferred upon me ready to unite with you in the b
sincss of our session.
FROM PoRro RIco-By the Kate Pendergas