Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-05
ON the State House.
Mr. CudwOrth Elected Chaplain of the
HHOuse-Fhc Assignment of the Seats
Brief Sessions.
IcoRREsPoNDENcE OF THE srY.I
BosToN. Jan. 4. 1872.

Boston, Jan. 4, 1872.
The force of precedent alone prevented the
ceremonies of Inauguration from occurring to-
day. Mr.. Washbun was ready with his mes
sag, and the two branches performed all their
business in about an hour, so his excellcncy
might as well have been sworn in Today as to-
morrow. Hitherto the inaugurations have &C.
Cured on Saturday, and this year one day will
be saved by swearing in the new governor on
Friday. Only about half the members Of the
house were in their seats this morning when the
speaker called to order, but the seats were rap
idly filled up after a few minutes. Prayer was
offered by the Rev. member from Newton Mr..
L. D. Wnslow, after which the secretary read
over the tedious narrative of yesterdays pro-
ceedings. The election of chaplain resulted
in the choice of Rev. W. II Cudworth, the
pastor of the Unitarian church of Our
Father in East Boston. He received 1872 votes.
The R:v. Alexander J Sessions, an Orthodox
clergyman of Brookline, received 81 votes, and
the Rev. Geo. H. vlbbert who was prominent
member of the house last year, and is now a
Universllist ncighbor of Mr.. Cudworth in
East Boston, had % votes.
lit ulSlilDullol VI Stllo bNbuplNu luG dAtcll-
tiOp of the house for about thnee-Quarters OF an
hour. Messrs. Towne of Fitchburg and Cod
man of Boston superintendent the drawing
while the Jerk called the roll. The senior mem
Der, Mr. Hall of New Bedford, was allowed the
customary privilege, and selected seat number
81 on the right of the speaker. The only talk
ing member who got an absolutely bad seat was
1owne himself, who dew place in the center
of the house, almost back to the arches. An at
tempt was made to give Mr.. Steadman of Bos-
ton, who is the oldest member, the second choice
Objection was made and Mr.. Steadman said he
didn't want any such favor, but the drawing
gave him an excellent seat in front of the
speaker. After the drawing was concluded the
house adjourned, and the ambitious members
who were badly placed attempted to better
their positions by swapping seats with Others.
The senate was in session but few minutes
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr.. Coe of New
Bedford. The committee on elections was au-
thorized to send for persons and papers in the
case of Henry NJ. Brown, a petitioner for the
seat now held by William l., Smith of the first
Hampden district. The drawing for seats re-
suited in giving Mr. Stafford the first seat on the
left OF the president. Mr.. Wakefield being the
senior member was all wed to take the seat on
the right Of the president Mr.. Richardson of
Lowell drew good seat very near him. The
senate did not elect a chaplain this morning, and
the matter comes up the first thing tomorrow.
The candidates are the Rev Edward Abbott of
Cambridge, the Rev. A. o. Hamilton ofAshland,
and the Rev L. A. Grimes, colorcd clergyman
in Boston. Mr.. Abbott is the strongest candi-
date. There is some talk about electing Mr..
MURRAY, but he probably will not take the ofiicn.