Smyrna times., 1873-01-08
TEE LEGISLATURE.


members arrived yesterday, except Mr.. Wilson,
of Kent, who is detained by sickness.
Great interest was manifested last night,
when the Democratic members Of the House
held their caucus meeting to fix up their
slate" This caucus commenced about 9
o clock and lasted well on to midnight. Those
who were after The ''feshpots of Egypt" the
applicants for Clerkships, &C., waited eagerly
outside and were so numerous as to literally
throng the Railways of the Capitol. 1t is esti.
mated that there were fifty applicants for the
positions of SergeantS-at Arms Of the reSpec-
tive Houses, and a more hungry set never
button hOled a Legislature.
| The caucus, at one time, was rather stormy
| If we may believe what the members whispered
around among their friends, and for while it
was feared that the slate" would be smashed
to atoms
The plan was, it seems, to give Sussex the
Speaker and Kent the CIerk>hip, or at least to
divide the positions between the TWO counties
| When the vote was taken for the Speaker
| Mr. Burchinall, of Kent, received eight votes
out of the l4-Mr. B. himself acting as proxy
for Mr.. Wilson He was therefore declared
the caucus nominee. The result, it is said,
rather surprised some of the caucus, who sup
posed that Mr. Davis. Of Sussex, would receive
the vote for Clerk was next in order The
vote was according taken, and c. Fl. B. Day,
also of Kent, was the fortunate man. He got
votes, the other six being scattered among
the rest of the applicants. At this Sussex
fired up and demanded her rights. Kent
was startled she intended to give Sussex her
rights, and how it was that Mr. Day got 8
majority in the caucus Is not explained. There
was put up job somewhere. Day was the
| - L. IL IL .l
Sussex camp prominent member from Kent.
> it is understood, who had voted for Day (sfier
he could not get in his own choce) moved a
reconsideration of the VOTE This was Sussex S
opportunity She rallied to Fisk Townsend to
A man, and he received the nomination OF the
, caucus, in place Of Mr. Day, who was thus
I merclessly slaughtered. Sussex threatened to
. bolt the caucus il this were denied them, and
clasp hands across the bloody chssm" with
the New Castle delegation if necessary. So
they carried their point and elected MIR.
Townsend, a red-ho an,i-Saulsbury man, over
a pet of the ring who had really a majority
vote on former ballot. 1t is generally under
stood that John o Byrne worked up the sue
, cessful SLATE" He stood 10 the ante room
and worked the wires through the key-hole
What perpexes the Kent delegation is, tha
while they did not want, or expect all the
honors, they nevertheless fairly secured then
, humiliatng
:, In the Senate things worked more smoothly
Mr.. Riddle was the only Republican, and tn,
9 eight Democrats had no balance of power t
. : fall back on if they had had squabble. DR.
|. Shakspear, the Clerk, was a compromise it i
. understood. His election was not looked tor
!. but the caucus failing to agree on the NOR,
/ prominent candidates, went for him. He is
!. !. son OF the Senator. This looks little family
iSh, but none to hurt.
/. Messrs Shakspear Gnd Shelldrake, beinl
n Government contractors, are really Ineligible
N TO their scat, but as this is merely q matter o
# "red tape it can be overlooked.
,r HOUSE.
'e The House was called to order at l0l 'cloc
y this morning, by j. B. Pennington Esq
h Clerk of the last House of Representative.
e John Hickman, of Sussex was made temporar
IN Chairman, and j. Frank Wilds chosen tempo
Ie rary Clerk.
. Certificates Of election were read and filed.
TO On motion of Mr.. VanGasken, the Hous
Id went into an election for Speaker. Levi
n Thompson, of New Castle and JOS Burchina
as of Kent were nominated. Mr. Thompson re
% ceived votes and Mr. Burchnal l3 Mr. b
a. was declared elected, and Messrs. Maris an
e. Martin escorted him to the chair.
k The election of Clerk was next prOceede
with, on motion Of Mr.. Hickman. The Re
rs % pubIicans nominated DIR. WIN. c. davidson. {
20 Milford, and the Democrats William Fis
e. Townsend, of Georgetown. The former re
's. ceived 6 votes, and the latter H. &. Ii. L
he Day received one vote Mr.. Townsend wa
ed accordingly declared elected, and was escorte
81 81 to the desk by MeSsrs. Maris and Martin.
n. On motion of Mr.. Silver, the election of
lie Sergeant. at Arms was proceeded with. Eber
ezer WEIGH Of kenton, was nominated by tn
n; n; Democrats and Humphrey Morrow. of Wi
10 20 mington, by the Republicans. Mr.. Welch, IT
"a ceived l3 votes and Mr.. Morrow 6.
On motion of Mr.. Hickman, Wm. MOrr
was appointed Messenger.
he he The Clerk, Mr.. Townsend, then announce
~ ~ the House ready for business, and on motto
of Mr. Hickman, the Senate was informed {
ed the fact.
lg Mr.. Paynter, Secretary Of State, Selivere
% the Governors Message aud accompanyin
!. !. documents, which were read.
SENATE.
as The Senate was called to order by j. r
,v Mitchell, Clerk of the last Senate.
es On motion Of Mr.. Leslie, Mr.. Richards, {
Is. Sussex, was made Chairman pro tenn.
On motion of Mr. Stockly, Mr.. Vandegrift
~ u OF New Castle, was elected Clerk pro tenn.
10 After reading the certificates of election, ID
ng Edwin D. Shakspear, OF. Dover, was electe
-s Clerk.
ne Frank +. Smith, Of Georgetown, was electe
"A Sergeant-at-Arms and JAS. Kearn, OF Dover
Of of was appointed Messenger BY the Chair.
OF On motion, Rev. james b. Merritt, of tn
e; NJ. Il Church. Dover, was requested to act
I'D Chaplain Of the Senate. :,
he Tie new Senators, L. T. Riddle, VIM.
n,ss Shakspear and Chas c. Stockly, took the oat
re- Of off,e and were admitted to seats.