, 1855-02-10
CLOSING ADDRESS OF Mr.. cROsHrE
Late Speaker Of the House Of Representative,


Washington Territory Legislative Assem-.
bly,, was unintentionally omitted in their
appropriate place in the published proceed.
ings, where they should have appeared
In reply to a resolution of thanks on the
part of the members of the House, for the
able, efficient and impartial manner in which
he had discharged his official duties as pre-.
siding officer, during the session
Mr.. CRosBIE said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPREsEy.
rATIvEs:
The hour has arrived which terminates
this session Of the Legislative Assembly 3
but before performing the only duty now
deVolVing upon me--in justice to myself,
cannot repair from saying q word or two
in answer to the resolution Of thanks Just
placed upon the Journal Such testimo-
NAL as that-the highest that can be ae-
corded to presiding officer is always graf
flying but taking into consideration the
attending circumstances, l should be recre-
ant to my own feelings, and subject myself
TO the serious charge Of ingratitude, did !
not acknowledge that deemed it doubly
valuable on this occasion. -.
Indeed cannot deny that approached
this Chair with distrust that might well
entertain, when looked forward to the OK
citing debates that would arise. In all leg
islative assemblies the location Of the pub
lie buildings Of the Territory or State has
been a theme, fruitful Of bitter discussion
and it could scarce be expected with the
different local interests involved, that Il
would be avoided in this.
was well aware that this position would
prove not to be an envious' one that at all
sessions trying one, tWould be peculiarly
so at this. therefore approached it as |
have before said-with distrust / shall
leave it without regret, with the honest
consciousness that to the best Of my abilf
ty, have carried out the determination
with which entered upon its duties to be
strictly impartial-no matter what my own
views might be with regard 10 the question
under discussion-to lean neither to the one
side nor the other, but fairly to apply and
administer the rules this house had adopted
for its government.
l doubt not that on some occasions !
have erred. could not always expect 10
be right, for claim to be no more infalli-
BILE than is allotted 10 poor human nature
1t may be that more than once have been
indebted 10 you for your generous forbear-
ance, and for that and your kind co-opera-
tion, render you my most cordial thanks.
And l would here say, that II there is any
,f h.. ek.a l.
any of the decisions Of the Chair, he has
cause to complain Of injustice, / offer him
the only atonement that have in my pow
er to make, in this public svowal Of my sin
cere regret.
trust that however earnestly members
may have contended for what they regar-
ded as the rights and interests Of their res
pectiVe constituents, that the debates Of
the present session will be remembered only
as part Of the legislative history Of the
Territory. With the Victors is the grati6-
cation Of success; with those who have
been defeated remains the equally as high
satisfaction, that they labored to the best
Of their ability for the interests Of their
constituents.
By all means let us endeavor to prevent
political predictions or sectionalprejudiceD
from encroaching on sphere which should
be the last that should be permitted to en-
ter our social relations.
This is the second session Of the legisla-
tive assembly, and congratulate yoh up
on the promise that awaits our Territory.
Young as she is, we can look forward with
bright anticipations-though dating back
only one year, yet that year has been Of
such progress, that, taking it as an index Of
what the future Is 10 be, We can 60 forth
boldly to meet it. The scant space Of
few years only separates US from the do
tendency Of territory to the sovereignty
Of q State commonwealth In the glo-
rious confederacy.
1t is not Imagination that pictures forth
q prosperous state, 1t Is rather the certain
history Of the development Of the resources
the territory possesses.
The day (even now, may not be far die
tAnt, when the waters Of this territory VIII
be whitened with the sails Of busy com
merce, and numerous steamers hurrying 10
and fro like vast shutiles, weaving together
the old world and the new. Uniting the
primitive regions Of the East with the but
recent wilderness Of the West
l have said more than intended.
had merely desired TO thank you for tho
consideration have received from your
hands during the time have occupied this
Chair, but the subject Of our future opens
up so grandly that may be pardoned for
having faltered moment BY the way-sids.
And now after rendering my warm wish
es to each member for bis health and pros- &.
perity, it only remains 70 me as my last Of
6cial act to declare this House adjourned
sine de.