Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-15
EVENING STAR.
HAIL COLUMBIA"
OUR NEW GOVERNMENT
E.T.1TGUR.fTIGJ' D.9Y.
FIRST MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE
ORGANIZATION OF THE TWO HOUSES.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Mr.Wm. StissEey, President Of Couneil
Mr' (has. L. Hnlse, Speaker of House.
Their Opening Remarks.
IMMIGRATION OF GOV. COOKE.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Report Of the Board Of Public Works.
Their Opening Remarks.
INAUGURATION OF GOV. COOKE.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Report Of the Board Of Public Works


Distr-c IT o. Columbia" approx ed February Dist
1871, Governor Cooke appointed to-day. noon
IOr The meeting of the Council and House o.
D ,legates of the Legislative Assembly of the
ID str-et, and designated "Metzerott Hall Build
ing in this city, as the place OF meeting
As the horr thps fixed for the Inauguration o.
he new government approached, large numbers
I citizens assembled in and about the place of
reetng, viewing the preparations made for the
ii pss Of the Legislature and discussing the in
teresting and important event about 10 take
place.
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
The north end OF the third story of Metzerott
Hall ha. been tastefully prepared for tie
Council CT amber; the presidents chair bein,
in the south end of the room and fronts north.
The ceiling OF this room Is not very high, but
otherwise the apartment is we'll adapted 10 the
purpose for which it Is intended. Two sEy
nights Immediately over the part allotted to tho
me nc bers and speaker, with live windows in the
north end afford ample light and ventilation
The ceiling and walls are Of lilac color, and
in the center is chandler with reiect,rs. A
Iall divides the members from the spectators.
The furniture is OF the same kird as that in the
hall OF the House Of Assembly, which is de-
scr1bed below. Three large committee room,
have been fitted up IN the south end OF
this floor. Retiring rooms and cloak rooms are
ako conveniently arranged on this floor, ali
some BRUSSELS carpet has been laid in ali tn as.
rooms except the part 81 the hall assigned 10
the spectators, which has been Ibid with graz
desks and bookcases of black walnut for the
convenience Of the committees. The stairs and
all the passages are covered with new grass
mating, and water coolers and spitteons have
been placed at convenient places.
HALL OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
The large room on the second floor OF Metze-
ttte up neatly for the meetings OF the Houst
of Delegates. The Speakers desk Is on the
north end OF the room ON an elevated platform:
with the Clerks desk immedi atey in front AMI
tables for reporters are on the door fronting the
Clerk table. a handsome railing OF ash and
walnut has been plac ID across the room which
divides the spectators from the members desh :,
when are arranged In q semi-circular form in
eide tue bar The room is well ventilated with
hve large windows in each end, which lie We
been handsomely upholstered with rich
CorDices and appropriate hangings The
tOCr is covered with new grass mating for
the summer e,son, the platoon being covered
si'h Brus ellis carpet On the Tight OF the
Speaker is a retiring room and hat and cIoIk
room, which have been properly furnished TFp
decks and chairs of tie members are OF biacA
walnut
Previous to the hour OF assembling of The
Council there were present within the Coupc!.
chamber William Laird, clerk or Georgstoyn:
Judge Fisher, James A. Magruder, George W.
Beall, Esau Pickrell and John Marbury. of
Georgetown, and the Mayors OF We shingtor
and Georgetown. Besides the abo we men ored
there were within the bar John Hitz, Swi !
Dent, Col. Robert Douglas, W. w. Wo.dsp. Col
1hoe. Il. Florence, Chief ustice Cartier j Judge
Macarthur, and members Of the Boards or A.
dermt n and Common Council Of George )wn
and many other spectators.
The seats OF the members-a aemi-crcular
row-Were o coupled as follows, from the west
Nsrd; ADOLF hus Hall: Frederick Douglass, Johu
Eaton, George r. Gulick, VIM. Stickney, k
Browne, Samuel Gross, and Daniel Smith.
At ~ o'clock m; Governor Cooke appsared
having arrived the Council win come to order
The members having been seated, Rev. Mr..
Atkinson, OF st; Johns Church, Georgetown.
roll OF the members vas then called; ali
answering to their names. The Governor th en-
directed the oath of Office to be administered
and Chief Justice Cartier called for q Bible
saying that they could not set up houc ,keepiny
without Bible. The oath OF Office (,he sam:
ss printed below in the House Of Delegates
vas then administered to all the the member,
at one zine, after which each member signed
his name to the blank form which had bee:
previously nlled up.
The Governor then said that tue election OF a
presiding Office would be in order.
Mr.. y. w. Thompson offered the following.
"ReSCloed, That VIM. Stlckney be declared tn
presiding officer for the present term" which
Messrs. Thompson and Peck were appointed
committee 70 csc Tt MIR. Stickuey TO the chair
Following address.
PKxsiDENP sTIoKSHY's REMARKS.
L thank you, gentlemen, m embers OF this first
Council, tor this kind expression OF your CONT
dence and regard; and while I distrust M
qualifications for the honorable position To
which you have elected me, promise By my bssv
forts to justify your good opinion,
[ This day marks an important era in the his
tory of our national met ropoiis. We are about
to inaugurate local government of larger
powers, more eomprehensiy sc In the sphere o! It's
action, and Of larger territorial magnitude than
b as hitherto existed in our District.
The educational and material interests OF
OF more than sevsnty-f i've millions OF dollar.
ere large comn itted to our care. The accept
sn , OF such . trVst Involves responsibility
Government was ordained OF God ii for wise And
oenincent purposes. III rightly administered, IL
Is source Of inettimable blessing; but 1t may.
mischievous men, become . potential instru-
ment Of oppression and wrong. It remains to
he seen whether the government about to be
ns,nuted nsTs shall prove to the people of this
national pride or Disgrace. :
, HE opportunity is q rare one, and IL rightly
reFroach hitherto raised against us, but COMP
the respt ct nd admiration of All good me
Let US, members Of THE First Council, prove
selves adjusted BY pure motives, arm In our
purpose TO do hight, uncompromisinZ with
wrong, whether it approaches in rags or broia-
cloth, wStchful for the rights and welfare OF al,
We are ell accountable, and seeking His AID
and blessing, Les US resolve to quit ourselves
Ike n en-, like honest men, and thus prove orr
selves faithful to the trust and worthy the con-
hdepce reposed In us.
futting beneath our feet all prejudice and
Iielng above mere party, let the corner stoue of
the Structure We are about to build be justice 10
al. f1rorissm 10 none
Inc name of Washington, "the best of great
men, and the gre ltest good men" Is enshrir-d
millions o. ne arts, let Ii be our highest amhi-
ION 20 render the District OF Columbia, so ir-
uinateiy ssocisied with him. equally dis
tnguished for its good government and w,ss
le sislation. "' "Ne
ELxcrloS OF oTHRR OFFICERS
The Chair then stated that the nomIna,ia,
for Vice President would be next in order
John A. Gray nominated Frederick 10 IsI asa
which WAS seconded by Me-. A. X. Browne. woen
he vas unanimously elected.
Mr.. Peck offered the following :-"R .sorued.
That Mr.. Francis H. Smith 6e the chief CLERK
Of this board" which MAS adopted. 80
pan pafs r,ra