Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-04-12
Editors Correspondence.
NASHVILLE, April 9th, 1868,


Tho House Hall aud Senate Chamber, well clean
ed out and ventilated, with furniture vanished are
handsomely draped In United States flags, The
flags, the music by tho brass band, and the roar Of
cannon in honor Of the fall Of Richmond and Peters
burg, and the immense throng Of people around tho
Capitol, all consprod 10 impress the spectator with
sensations TINT viii long mako him remember the
day Of organizing the new Legislature, to resume
the exercise of power which traitors, thieves and
robbers had suspended,
The Senate organized with harmony and dispatch,
and Samuel r. Rodgers Of Knox, was elected Speak
or without opposition addressing the Senate as fol-
lows
Gentlemen Qf the Seaate | accept the trust you
have been pleased to confer upon me, not without
many misgivings ms TO my qualifications for tho
proper and efficient discharge of the onerous and
responsible duties Of the position. ] trust ] shall
have the aid and hearty cooperation of Hon. Son
alon, thereby enabling me 10 meet 10 some extent
the reasonable expectations of our people, We,
gentlemen, are assembled here moi rs pOrtisans but
as loyal Senators, all having been elected by the
same constituency, and trust all having in view
the same important object, that is 10 say as far as
may be- TO restore this once proud, prosperous and
happy State TO It's original place among the loyal
States of the Union Gentlemen, we have a hercu-
lean task TO perform and il will require great care
and much thought TO devise ways and means to re-
place our heavy losses. A storm of desttution de-
for now nearly four years. literally uprooting the
resources of our wrath, and demorazing our peo
pie. In view of which we should most favorablJ
implore the Almighty TO give us wisdom from
above TO enable us at least to lay solid foundation
by our Legislation for the future peace, happiness
and prosperity Of the loyal citizens. We should dc
nothing in haste, but everything should be done
upon due and proper reflection we should see tC
it, we act the part Of enlightened statesmen, our act
are not confined 10 us and ours but will extend TO oul
future generations. Good order being indispensable t.
success hope each Senator will feel that he has
part to perform in maintaining the same.
] thank you, gentlemen, for this manifestation o.
your kind Partially in selecting me to preside over
your deliberations
4. p. Cone, of Davidson, was elected Principa
Clerk, and Maj. Flag, of Hawkins, was elected En-,
crossing Clerk. G. o. Cate, of Bradley was elected
Door-keeper and Lieut. Bars, of Davidson, was
elected Messenger-all without opposition.
In the House, the members were qualified by
Gen, Milligan, Of Greene, who administered the
following oath;
Do you and each Of you solemnly swear upon the
Holy. Evangelist of Almighty God that you will
faithfully support the Constitution of the State Of
Tennessee, and the Constitution of the United
States, Do you further solemnly swear that as a
member of this General Assembly, you will in all
appointments vote without favor affection, PARTIAL
ty or prejudice and that you will not propose as
sent to any bill vote or resolution which shall APP
10 10 ha 10 hp nj
to ally act thing whatever, that shall have ten
dency to lessen abridge their rights or privileges
as declared by the Constitution of this State, 81
help you God.
The rest Of the day was consumed in balloting for
Speaker j. r Hood, of Hamilton, and Ed. Coop
or, Of Bedford being the candidates. They receiv-
ed 30 and 81 votes each and as few votes scat
tered each time, no one obtained majority of the
votes cast.
The balotng was resumed the second day and
upon the second ballot VIM. Heiskoll, of Knox, was
elected. Col. Shelby of Roane, was chosen Prin-
cipal Clerk Of the House and Anderson Hill, of
Knox, Principal Door hoopo. Thy iSe'"liJ ST.
East Tennessee all the offices and one good-natured
fellow said to me that he believed they would give
us both Senators, if we claimed them. ] replied
that we should only claim one,
/ must be allowed to compliment the Treasury
Agency at Knoxville ms it has furnished the State
with Governor, Speaker of the Senate Speaker
Of the House, Judge of the Circuit Court, and a
member Of the House for McMinn county Mr.
Speaker IIeisSell swears that he don't know but that
Agency may yet turn out President ! tell him
that it only shows that the late Assistant Special
Agent is Judge Of men, and selected good materi-
ais as his subordinate officers
The Inauguration of Governor came off to-day,
in the Hall of the Capitol, before the most large
and brilliant assemblage | ever saw in the Capitol
consisting of the civil and military population
There we're three Major Generals five Brgadier
Generals each wi tn his staff, in full uniform The
day is pleasant and the order was perfect Every
thing went off satisfactorily. My voice was fortu-
nately good, and | was distinctly heard by the
entire assembly. As to the merits of the address,
he reader will lind it in the VINO, and can Judge
for himself. Judge Milligan administered to me
he following oath, in substance:
That you will support the Constitution Of Ten
lessee and of the United States TO the best OF your
abilities, &c.
then delivered my address, with Speaker Rodg-
rs and Chaplain Holtsinger on my right, and
Speaker Heiskell and Gen Thomas on my left. So
ends the chapter for this day w G. B.