St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-18
USE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Tuesday, Dec. I'd, 10 O clock A. M.
The house met at the hour of adjournment
and the journal Of yesterday was read. The
committee on credentials, by their chairman
Mr. Mcfarland, reported that they found them
in order, and the persons bearing them emit
tied to seats.
Mr. Woodin of johnson moved that the
members elect be called according to districts
to take the oath Of Office, which motion pre-.
vailed. The members then came forward and
on the reading of the oath by the clerk, sub.
scribed their names, the speaker pro tenn. adj
administering the oath to the members, and Mr..
Holmes administering the oath to the acting
Speaker. Thereupon the House proceeded to
vote for speaker viva voce. Samuel Mcfarland
received thirty eight votes and Green T. Clark
eighteen. Mr.. Mcfarland, being declared du-
ly elected, was, introduced to the chair by
Messrs Dorland and Hardie.
The speaker elect on taking the chair ad.
dressed the House as follows:
Gentlemen of the House Of Representatives:
~ thank you for the honor you have confer
red upon me, in calling me to preside over
your deliberations. acknowledge my ina
bility to perform properly the duties you have
imposed upon me, and ask in advance your
indulgence for any error may commit.
hope to receive your counsel and cooperation
in explaining and enforcing the rules Of order.
We come here as strangers, l trust we shall 60
away as friends. Our country has Just passed
| through another exciting and interesting pres
idential campaign. Party spirit has run high.
Bitter animosities have been engendered. May
we in our deliberations forget all these feelings
and go to work to advance the interests and
increase the prosperity of our young and -four.
ishing state. Dwelling here in the great val
ley of the West-the central state of the
highest empire the world ever saw-wt
should seek to make our laws a model for 9th
er states and nations, and, by their observance
our people happy and virtuous.
Messrs. Anderson and Coolbaugh, as a com.
mittee from the Senate, announced the or
ganization of that body.
The House then proceeded to the election Of
other officers. viz:
]. w. Logan of Muscatine county editor Of
the Journal was elected chief clerk; w. P.
Hepburn of Marshall county assistant clerk;
Geo. A. Hawley of Decatur county, enrolling
clerk; Alexander r. Fulton of Jefferson county,
engrossing clerk; VIM. Said of Keokuk county,
sergeant-at-arms. considerable discussion
arose here on the question of doorkeeper
and it was finally voted to discontinue that Of
fce.l E. Wilson of johnson county, chief mes
senger; o. J. Stratton second messenger; B
Westcott, third messenger; Rev. C. Billing
Smith, chaplain. ION the election Of chaplain
several gentlemen went into q somewhat ex
tended discussion in opposition. Mr.. Frank
lin said he had for long time had little to d.
with church affairs; he was opposed to AM
chaplain, as throwing away more than on,
hundred dollars. He believed in one God ant
reason was his prophet. There was something
disgraceful in the matter. Two years ago the
clergy of the city proposed in rotation to ten.
der their services without pay. Then as they
could not agree, there being Universalis,
among them, chaplain was elected. wish
to wash my hands of this corruption
Jesse b. Brown was elected assistant ser.
geant-at-arms. Messrs. Dorland and Barker
were appointed committee to inform the
Senate Of the organization of the House.
Messrs. Price, Holmes, Clark, Barker, Noble
and Bigelow were appointed joint commit
tee to wait ON the Governor and inform him
that the House was ready to receive any com.
munication from him.