The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-06
evening State Sualrmat.
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.


House Of Delegates.
At an early hour this morning consider
able crowds gathered around the Capitol to
catch glimpse of the members and to
watch for the opening of this body.
Precisely at IL O'Clock the gavel of the
clerk called the House to order, who re-
quested Col. Crittenden to act as temporary
Sergeant-at-Arms.
On obtaining silence, Rev. DIR. Wood
bridge was invited to deliver prayer. He
appealed to the Throne Of Grace to impart
wisdom to the counsels of the body present,
and to relieve it of all unjust and illiberal
feelings--to free it from passion and make
its deliberations those of wisdom and JUS
| tice.
The various members having previously
selected their seats, but little confusion
was created in finding them. The roll be-
ing called ll3 delegates responded.
Nominations for Speaker of the House
being in order, General Walker, of Pulas-
XII, took pleasure in placing in nomination
the name of Marshall Hanger, ESQ.,, of
Augusta. General Walker payed a high
compliment to the ability of Mr.. Hanger.
Peter X. Jones, on the part of the Re-
publicans, placed in nomination the name
ef Q. P. Ramsdale, of Surry. Mr.. Jones
urged that the nomination of Mr.. Ramsdale
be made unanimous. s,.
On calling the roll Mr.. Hanger received
IS votes Mr.. Ramsdale 27, and MIR. Cox
III
On being conducted to the chair, Mr..
Hanger, returned thanks to the House for
the honor conferred on him and that while
his legislative experience was not great, he
should endeavor to discharge the duties of
chairman with fairness and justice to all.
Mr.. Wall placed in nomination as clerk
of the House, j. Bell Bigger, whose nomi-
nation was warmly seconded by George w.
Booker (wayward George, of Henry. Mr..
Kelly also favored the election of MIR. Big
ger, and consumed the time of the House
in complimenting him as an efficient officer.
Everybody knows Mr.. Bigger's ability
and we see no use of wasting time so early
IN the day. But gentlemen must talk, and
there's no use trying to prevent it. There
being no opposition to MIR. Bigger, he was
unanimously elected, the Republicans vot-
ing for him also. -
Among the visitors we noticed the old
war-horse of Democracy, Ex-Governor
Fayette McNlullen, of Smythe. The Gov
ernor looked very much as if he would
like to have finger i'll the plum pudding,
but alas it can't be so!
This body is not likely to do a bigger
/ thing during its session than the election OF
| its present very excellent clerk.
1 Col. G.. L. Crittendon having no OPPOSE
| ton for sergeant-at-arms, was elected by a
vote of 104.
AT o'clock, message from the Senate
was received, informing the House Of its
! organization for business. Chapman Neale,
of Alexandra, is the youngest member OF
the present body; should there be any dis
pute upon the subject, we are open, ol
course to conviction. We dare not name
the oldest or ugliest, as we have no idea Of
falling out with the members thus early.
To General Walker, Of Pulaski, we yield
the palm of being the finest looking and
handsomest member Of the House. We
trust the General will make as useful a
member as he is ornamental.
Kelly, Gilman and Walker, were ap.
pointed committee to wait upon the Gov
ernor. and inform him of the organization
of the House, and its readiness to heal
from him.
The vote for the Speaker pretty clearly
indicates the relative strength of the two
parties. This vote gives to the Democrats
i the yery handsome majority of 81.
We have taken the trouble to ascertain
the political and personal complexion of the
members. with the following result:
There are IL colored members, all Q
whom are Republicans. We append thel
names, viz: Peter j. Carter, Asa Cole
man, Henry Cox, Mcdowell Delaney, D.
Dungey, Joseph b. Evans, John Freeman
William Gilman, Ross Hamilton, Pete
X. Jones, Rufus S. Jones, James Lips
combe, John w. B. Matthews, Rober
Norton, r. G. L. Paige, Wm. ii. Patter
son and Henry Turpin.
Col. Owens, secretary Of the Governor
presented to the House the Message OF tn
Governor, which had already been printed
The Message was being read in clear an
pleasant manner by MIR. Bigger and listene
to with profound attention, when on motto
of the member from Albemarle, the reao
ing of the Message was dispensed with an
/ 500 copies ordered to be printed for dis
tribution.
On motion, at 25 minutes TO ? O'Clock
. the House adjourned.
Beside the colored Republicans we repol
the following white members: w. W
!. Douglas Joseph Jorgenson, G. w. Lassite
/ ArmisteadS. Nickens, James Ii. Nobl,
Allen Pierce, VIM. I. Perkins, G:
o Ramsdale, Mesback Ratclitfe, Joseph I
. Russell, j. b. Stovall, Jr., George |
. Southall, j. H. Vanauken, Watson |
Wentworth and George w. Young. "
fail to discover among this list the name
: e. B. Fitzgerald, of Roanoke, whose ele
= ton is due entirely to the votes of the K
7 publican party. II Mr.. f. can stand I'll
!; somersault, why certainly we can. A d.
4 of reckoning will come in the not far dl
tant future.
J, We would be glad if we could offer sor
" encouragement to our friends througho
the State, but when we see around us su
y small band of patriots so oyerwhelme
our hearts sink within us. and we O
forced to acknowledge ourselves in t
complete power Of our political adyersarl'
~ Senate.
. The Senate was called to order at l2:2
by Lieutenant Governor Marye.
! Present, the following Senators: Mess
z Anderson, of Pittsylyania, Anderson,
a