Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-10-18
VERMONT LEGISLATURE.

Constitution and Laws of the State, the
General Assembly of the State of Yer
mont convened in the State House to-
day.
SENArE.-At 10 o'clock the Senate
was called to order by His Honor Levi
Underwood, President, and on calling the
roll all The Senators were present.
Resolutions ofered.-By Senator Will
lard, providing for the present adoption
of the Rules" of last year, with the
exception of rules 6 and II relating to
the appointment of Committees by the
President; amended by Senator Powers
by striking out rule II, providing for two
assistants in the Senate and passed. BY
Senator Harris to proceed to the election
of Secretary. Senator Willard sug-
eested the name of c. J. Gleason OF
Montpelier, the present incumbent. Sen
ator Edmunds advocated the election Of
VIM. Henry Hoyt Of Burlington.
Two ballots were then had without
choice,
Senator Harris read a communication
from the Committee having in charge the
arrangements for the inaugural ceremo-
MES of Mead's statute of Ethen Allen,
inviting the President and Senators to
seats on the platform erected for the Or
ator.
On motion of Senator Stewart, the
Senate adjourned till o'clock this after
noon.
HoUsE.-The House was called to
order by Benz. w. Dean, Secretary Of
State.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr..
McGaffe.
The names of those who had presented
their credentials were called, and most
of the members were present. The oath
was administered to the members, as re-
CURED by the Constitution of the State
Of Vermont.
The Secretary of State directed the
House to the election of Speaker for the
ensuing year.
Mr.. Pingrey of Weathersfeld moved
that Mr.. Dennison be admitted as repre-
sentative from Royalton without present
ing his credentials; agreed to. Mr..
Synder of Huntington moved that C. W.
Brownell of WiIliston be allowed to take
his seat in the House without presenting
his credentials; agreed to.
The House then proceeded to the
election Of Speaker--tbe Secretary of
State appointing Mr. Pingrey of Wealth
ersfeld, Mr.. Noyes of Burlington, and
Mr.. Thomas Of West Faree, tellers.
Mr.. Seymour of Vergennes nominated
A. p. lIunton, as candidate for Seaker.
For Speaker, 23l votes were cast, of
which Augustus p. Hunton received
1877, and thereupon was declared elect
ed,
Messrs. Seymour Of Vergennes and
Gardner Of Bennington were appointed
to inform Mr.. Hunton of his election
and conduct him to the chair.
The Speaker was then conducted to.
the chair and took TIE oath Of office, and
proceeded to address the House as fol-
lows:
1t is gratifying to me that you should
have such confidence in me as to give
me a second election to the office of
Speaker, In view ofthe many talented
experienced and aged men who are
members of this House, cannot suppose
that it is ov,ing to talent of mine, or any
merit which may possess; But receive
il at your hands as mere favor. The
duties Of the Office for the past year were
much less onerous than ! anticipated
they would be when | entered upon the |.
duties Of the office, for the reason that
the last years assembly had in it many
men of experience in matters of lcgsla-
ton, ana all Of Them were courteous,
ready to pardon errors ana ready to as
,ist me in matters in which | was aware
at the beginning | very much needed the
assistance Of the House. ] enter cheer |
fully upon the duties of the present ses-
sion, for ! find the House fully as well
made up as before, and l confidently
that the same courtesy will be
shown me as in the past year.
We meet at this time in the darkest
hour that has been known since the for
nation of this Government. Perhaps
at this very moment our volunteers are
striving tor the maintenance of our lib
critics. confidently hope that we shall
show ourselves worthy of the rich inner
lance which our ancestors preserved Cor
Is, and that we shall transmit them to
,ur posterity unimpaired. In view of
his l expect that aid will be sent to those
Who are preserving those rights, and that
We shall only limit the aid we send by
he wants of the Government and our own
means. If we are not willing 70 devote
ourselves and our property to the main