The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-12-13
TIE NEW NORTHWEST,
WHO SHALL BE SPEAKER

The Eighth Regular Session Of the Leg
islaturc "f Montana will convene in Nir-
ginia City. Monday. January 9Th, 1874.
As the time approaches for converting, as
uratio,s for positions are evidenced, and,
prominent among the distinctions and cmo!-
muents sought, are those pertaining t" the
Sm.akcr,l,ip Of the House. The N"d'so"-
ian put, forward the name OF Hon. hen.
Ezekiel. Of Madison county, a. one Of
sacred associations worthy to appear on the
minutes as presiding officer Of the House.
The .M;.spuliun announces Hon. J. &. ker-
lev. "f Deer Lodge, rs likewise graceful III
its rhythm and cadence; and gracious cn-
.lorsc,nents Of the competency and character
Of cacl, flow freely from the pencils Of
cote porarie>. It occurs to IN there may
be something premature in the movement,
or. ut least, that these harmless recommend
,lations may mi,lcad those who have not
investigated the matter, into mistaken
belief that Speaker Of the House is to he
elected at the ensuing session. The men,
beers of the House constituting this Lcgisla-
tive body were elected in August, 1872, for
two wears. BY proclamation Of the Gov
c,7,or. the Legislature was convened in
Extra Session April IA, 1873. A quorum
being present, the members were sworn,
and Ho,. John II. Rogers, Of Deer Lodge,
iuly elected and announced Speaker Of the
House. lie served as such, and as no
question Of his incligibility has, to our
knowledge. been raised, as lie was not re-
moved ly vote Of the House or other for
nal proceeding, and as he did not resign, 1t
i, fair To- assume that he was recognized rs
Sneaker Of the House. If he was during
the Extra Session he is now, and unless nc
is formally removed or resigns, will cont'n'
ne to be during the existence Of this Legis-
laturc. 4 Speaker is not elected Speaker
of the House for session but for the Leg
jslature. The Legislatures now hold two
ycars--no difference how many sessions arc
held. Precedent in this Territory shows
that during the time when Legislators were
elected for one year, the Speaker elected at
a regular session held through extra ses'
sions that were subsequently convened.
This was in accordance with Congressional
usage as 81. forth in the Jefiersonian Man
nal which is adopted in the Montana Leg
islaturc as parliamentary law. This il the
| first OCCASION when an extra session OF
Iegislaturc-clcct has been convened before
the REGULAR session cnsucd, and from this
NAV have arisen the mispprci'cnsion thai
t,e Sneaker must le elected at the sO-callct
regular session. But this il erroneous. 4
like instance occurred in Congress in 1861
The first session Of the 31th Congress wal
an extra session. In compliance with
uroc,amation Of President Lincoln it con
vcncd July 4tl,, 1861. In the House o
Representatives Hon. Galusla A. Grow wa
elected Speaker, receiving % votes in 1''
The session closed August 9, 1861. On tn
ID Of December following the second SEES
sion convened and Mr.. Grow, without re
election, resumed as Speaker. Thus, b.
urcce.l.nt in Congress, the parliamentary!
usaccs Of which are adopted in Montana s.
far As applicable. tine Speaker Of the Ho"s
c,ecte. ut an extra session holds during til
continuance If that Congress Tor 1.cgisla
turc). and by precedent in Montana til
Speaker elected at regular session ho'd
during succeeding sessions Of that I|eg'sla
tur.. There have been no members Of til
House elected since last April, except to fl
vacancies. Mr.. Rogers is an experience
and able legislator. We believe lie cou'
tlIs. pfs faqstit'fRtssx 81 ~ cS. ' =.
having been elected thereto as the highe,
distinction the House could confer upo
him. We presume he will not wish TO b
legisIated out Of it by the newspapers d.
sirn,s If pleasing some other particula
aspirant. We have. therefore, called after
tom /" the fact and trust they will wa
until 1.-The king is dead" before they tram
fer their icalty and shout Live the King.