Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-01-11
ORGANIZATION Ofthe LEGISLATURE

U
The Pennsylvania Legislature assem-.
bled at Harrisburg on Tuesday, the Sd
instant, and opened the session by
electing a Democrat (Mr. Wallace, }
as Speaker, and filling all the minor
Offices in the Senate, while the House
elected all Radicals. The election of
Senator Wallace without an "if' or a
"but' on the part Of tho Democrats,
is the highest tribute which could be
paid to his talents. SucL singular
unanimity never occurred before:
Speaker White called the Senate to
order at Q o'clock, p. m, and the
opening prayer was offered up.
The Secretary of the commonwealth h
presented the official returns of the
elections for Senators, list of whom
has already been published.
The Speaker then stated that since
the close of last session Senator Watt
had died. Upon being informed OF
the fact, he had deemed it his duty
under the Constitution to issue writ
for an election to fil the vacancy.
The writ had been issued and an
election held, the result Of which
would appear on the return.
The clerk read the writ and return,
showing the election of Mr.. Dcehert.
The new Senators were then sworn
in.
Senator Davis moved TO go into an
election for Speaker. Agreed to, and
a ballot was taken, resulting thus:
Messrs. Albright, Brodhead, Bucka.
lew, Crawford, Davis, Dechert, Dill
Duncan, Findlay, Knight, Miller,
Nagle, Petrikon, Purman, Randall
Turner, and White, Speaker-17,
voted for William A. Wallace.
Messrs. Allen, Anderson, Billingfclt,
Brooke, Connell, Delameter, Evans,
Graham, Henszey, Kerr, Mumma,
0lmstcd, Osterhout, Rutan, Wallace
and Warfel-l6, voted for Harry
White.
Mr.. Wallace was declared elected
and on taking the chair spoke as
follows;
SENATORS; Accept my thanks for
the honor you have conferred upon
me. shall endeavor TO discharge
the duties ofmy post with impariiality
| pray your aid and support in The
administration of our rules and In the
preservation of that decorum which
becomes the Senate.
In assuming the control Of this body
for the first time in ten years, w,
retoghize our full responsibility, anC
forgetful of the calumnies that hav,
been heaped upon us during all thost
years, and faithful always to thu
great doctrines of free government
long at their ebb, but now approach
ing their full tide in the public mind
We trust by their power to guido tn,
, future. Taking no step backward, 4
is our mission to remedy the evils o
the present. Accomplished facts anc
their logical sequences arc to be justly
estimated, and in their light we mus
f mould the policy 10 lead the Safe anC
control the Nation. Expcrimcnta
reforms arc worse than useless, bu
healthy progress, under the guidanc,
of established truths, becomes neces
sity and a duty. To lead in such rc
forms, TO guide our much loved StatI
in such a channel, TO increase and tC
develop her resources, TO cause "bel
waste places" to rcsound with th,
hum Of busy industry, TO give equa
and honest representation to every
citizen, TO retrench in her expendi
lures, to pay her debts, to check tn,
) tide of special legislation, and to ban
! ish corrtipting and debasing influence
from the seats of power, are object
! worthy the intellccts and energies o
, each of us.
, Uncontrolled power BY one politi
! cal organization during long tern
of years, inevitably begets misman
5 aVemcnt and extravaganza. The nd
, ministration of affairs of this common
wealth has been no exception 10 thi
r rule. In the correction Of thes
wrongs, Senators, We invite you
cordial co operation.
n The Constitution commands us i
: this year "to apportion and distribut
; equally throughout the State" Sena
tors and Representatives. This pre-
vision is mandatory. To perform !
nor is sworn obligation 20 pcrforr
8 it in n spirit of equality, of honest,
/. and of justice, is distinctly enjoined
To fail in either is violation of on
5 official oaths All apportionment G
/ the State by which the voice of he
n people expressed at the ballot. .bo
shall he fairly and justly representc
e in these halls is imperatively demand
@ cd from this Legislature. Just repr,
sentution for all tho people and fai
hearing for every shade Of scntimon
O in Constitutional Convention, il
c shall be your pleasure to call one, ar
n vital prerequisites to the creation {
= an acceptable organic law, and thei
4 denial will ensure its defeat.
J. Tho rights of one-half Of tho pcopl
Of your commercial metropolis in th
matter Of the selection OF their elcS
r tion officers have been outraged an
a trampled upon by preceding legisl;
,fI ture, and they are denied voice !
their choice. They are thus disfrar
n chised in one of the most vital ma
o ters Of local self government. 4
e correct this violation of fundamer
r tai American principle we earnestl
/. invoke you.
a The reliefofan overworked suprem
Y court demands and should have ou
earliest attention.
|, Special legislation has become th
!, vice of our system. Tho prevalent
d Of q general rule Of law over OF
|. whole territory, upon subjects usual
g within the scope of legislative actiol
}. is now the exception, and speech
}. enaclments and special privileges al
7. found upon almost every page Of OF