The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-01-17
House of Delegates.

The House was called to order at II
o'clock by the Clerk of the last House
and opened with prayer by Rev. J. L,
Mcclure. All the members named in the
list published in the Intelligence. on
Monday, appeared and were qualified,
with the exception of Messrs. Beard
Chapman, Cooper, French, Higgins,
Hinkle, johnson, Thompson, Vawter
and Withrow.
| Mr.. Withrow, the delegate elect from
Greenbricr, responded to his name but
declined to take the oathS required by
law, and i'll few words stated his posi-
ton.
He said that he, in common with a
large majority Of the citizens of his
county, had favored the cause of the re-
bellion, and in consequence, he could
not conscientiously assume the oath
rendered him. He had never borne
arms against the United States, neither
had he sought or accepted office under
any authority hostile thereto, and his
fellow citizens believing him the most
eligible man they could choose, had
sent him to ask IL seat in this House.
While he could not take the oath pre-
scribed, he offered to take the oaths of
allegiance and fidelity, and thus placed
the matter before the House for its flu
ture action.
On motion of Colonel Curtis the rules
of the last House of Delegates were
adopted for the government of tho pres
ent House.
Nominations for Speaker being in or
der, ...-
Mr.. Hagans nominated David. S. Pin
nell of Upshur, and the nomination was
seconded by Mr.. Trainer.
Col. Witcher, seconded by DIR. Mairs,
nominated Henry G. McWhortcr, of
Mr.. smith, of Berkeley, nominated
81 ENIanintT nF HnrriCnn
Both the latter candidates declined,
and DIR. Pinnell was elected Speaker by
acclamation. 'i 'i.'
DIR. Pinnell was escorted to the chair
by Messrs. McWhOrter and Fleming,
and addressed the House as follows:
Gentlemen of The House d Delegates:
Before taking the seat to which you
in your kindness have seen fit to assign
me, permit mo to offer my sincere
thanks for this manifestation of your
confidence and esteem. ....-f-
In accepting Mt your hands the respon-
sibIe position to which you have called
me in so tlnttering n manner, am fully
aware of the grave duties it enjoins,
and the responsibilities it involves,
and accept it rs duty I owe to you,
gentlemen, in return for the compli-
ment YOU have bestowed upon me; and
feel assured that in doing so, ] shall
have your earnest support in the dis
charge of the responsibilities devolving
upon me. ....-... ..r vi. .t..g pol.
Gentlemen, the circumstances under
which you are convened are more nus
picious than those connected with any
preceding Legislature of our State.
Our State was formed during the
existence of one of tho most terrible
civil wars recorded in the annals of
history. All that the preceding Legis-
latures could do was To defend her
against the parricidal attack of her
enemies, and by judicious system of
legislation, crush out the then existing
rebellion. I...5-....'
Since the converting of the last Legis-
ture, the din of battle has been hustled,
and peace has again dawned on our
then distracted country. 1t is for you,
now, gentlemen, to loosen the ship of
State from her moorings, and pilot her
onward and sright to the development
of her resources and career of future
prosperity.
Never before since its organizati on,
has the Slate been SO nearly represent
ed as at present, and the agricultural,
educational, and internal Improvement
interests of the State will be before you