The New York herald., 1868-01-08
The STATE CAPITAL.
Organization of the legislature
of 1868.
Election Of Vim. Hitshman for Speaker and c.
W. Armstrong for Clerk Of tho Assembly.
TIE FIRST POLITICAL TILT OF THE SESSION.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.

ALBANY, Jan. Z, 1858.
TWAS few minutes past eleven by the old mahogany
framed clock imbedded in the wall tho south
IN The Assembly chamber when that body called
srdcr to-day by the clerk OF the previous session. The
members had already assembled in the House. while
miscellaneous crowd OF both sexes had gathered in the
sebbies and corridors. The male portion included for
shs most part lobbyists and others interested in tho
work OF the coming session. The females widows
sr indigent mothers seeking appointments for their
youngsters as pages and messengers The galleries
were densely thronged and the portion reserved
for the ladies almost wholly occupied by the serner
Dex.
The Assembly chamber since Its vacation by the
Constitutional Convention has been restored to its
snginai arrangement OF upholstery and has been fur.
nished with very rich and elegant carpeting It's
bad ventilation is stii unremeded that like many
previous session. the present will doubtless prove fatal
20 more whose lungs and constitution are
unable withstand the noaious effects OF three four
hours daily sitting in its close ed atmosphere The
desks have been all newly vanished and the apart.
ment is quite ight-looKing from the paint. Tho
same black strip runs along the wall the speakers
head, inscribed In white with the words OF Lincoln =
u nave the most solemn oath regsterd in heaven-to
preserve, protect and defend the government
The Assembly, personally speaking IS n fine appear
ing body. The men are net handsome and very few
are dgnihed looking; the semcirces Of desks pre-
sent rare array OF earnest practical men. They seem
sor Tue most part 20 ce farmers merchants and work.
1ngmen There are few lawyers professional men in
comparison with previous bodies. Tue press has about
dozen representatives among the members in the
Legislature The New York delegation has a remarxa.
BILE number OF young men; but their older compeers
feel proud OF them for they have certainly shown brief
AZ The time has been, uncommon ability and eoquepce.
The swearing in OF the members next proceeded
with As their names were called parties OF three or
four advanced the front desk and all touching
the same Bible took the oath, which administered
by the Secretary OF Stalc Homer A. Nelson. Several
member affirmed
The eliza vote for Speaker resulted as follows-
William Hitchman, IS; Edmund L. Pitts 55. Mr.
Htchman yotea for Mr.. Pitts Mr. Pitts voted for
mi nhara urnrr JOot
number-an attendance which experience teaches will
seldom be equaled on any future day OF the session.
Mr. Pitts, who was the Speaker OF the last House.
appointed enc OF the committee which conducted Mr..
Htchman to the chair.
Ine new Speakers man of gentemanly presence.
and although quite nervous on assuming the chair gave
promise ater III tAe day Of becoming unexceponable
presiding oitcer
Cornelius W. Armstrong was chosen clerk by de.
sded majority He has been long acquainted with the
routine OF business In the capta and VIII be efficient
officer.
The Senate in the meantime was called to order by
Lieutenant Governor Woodford, who made the body
quito radical speech. The work of orgauza.
tion being completed, message to that effect was
sen TO tue Governor and to the Assembly II looked
though the Lieutenant Governor was facetio lsiy
inclined W show the extremes Of the other
House, for IN making up this committee he selected
Messrs Tweed, whose porty proportions are well
known, a6o Williams, gentleman considerably below
even the medium height A smile stole over faces
Of tue House and gallery when the "Big sachem"
ptivo brother Senator.
When the Assembly had been duly organized tho
usuui WtIc HASTINGS
the Governors private secretary after the
Governors Message. scene rather uncompimentary
80 his Exceepcy ensued The Clerk took the Message
and had hardly commenced, when the crowd tho gal
lsries caped the benches in their anxiety to get
out OF doors Even the members to the extent or fully
one-haf their number, from their Seats donned
their overcoas and departed the Chamber, leaving TO
their more polite and stocal brethren the duty OF
hearing the reading of the document
The hrst Gun between the two political parties was
nred to-day The democrats have declared their nten
tion mako this model Legislature rstrcnch
ment - concerned. In the Senate Mr. Murphy opened
the ball by Offering resolution down the number
OF Offices and the salaries. The republican majority
subsequently amended the resolution to mako It
concurrent This shrewd piece OF strategy tho
work uf Hr. Folger, who determined 10 head Oh
the democrats ia this little plan to make capital. Con-
currence in tne resolution would force the
majority in the lower house TO abandon the sTbation
Of patronage which would confirm their ascendancy
subsequently Mr. Pitts, republican, introduced resolu-
zion in tho Assembly TO cut down the Offices il was
beaten BY straight rary voeagan lay ing the charge
OF Inconsistency the democrats In the little Al of
skill thus far the republicans nave obtained adyan
tage cf tnoir opponents.