Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-11
THE STATE HOUSE.
Tla Caucus and the Candidates Before
Them-The Rush For Offiee-Tho Speaker
Of The House-Dr. Leslie.


81 ec' al Correspon le1ce ofthe JOURNAL
Dover, Jan. 1.-THE forty ninth regular
session Of the Legislature Of this state
was opened here to-day, and 1t Ia a decided
improvement, so far as the intelligence Of
those composing IL is concerned, over
many of its predecessors.
he cSucuses OF both the Senate and
House, last night, were lively affairs, but
we e conducted without any OF the disorder
which usually marks such gatherings.
From the number of candidates whose
names were pressed at these meetings
one might easily conclude that people
have run mad over the strange delusiou
that an clllee on earth Is far more prefer
able than kingdom In Heaven.
For Speaker Of the House. George W.
Davis, j Joseph Burchnel and DR.. Hugh Mar
tin were nominated, and Mr.. Burehnel was
finally chosen as the caucus nominee
This action seems strange. To sacrifice
Nr. Martin for Mr. Burchnel Is one Of
those strange freaks II Ia exceedingly difii-
cult 10 understand. Dr.. Martin is a pol
shed gentleman, a man IF education aud
Of experience In legislative affairs, vet he
received but a yery small vote. Mr. Bnrch-
mel Is good Christian, and, doubtless,
knows how 10 preside over bis own house
hold, but he is evidently out of place when
presiding over a body Of the lmpOrtanc.
Of the popular branch of the Delaware
legislature. He l. crude In his ideas and
| inexreritnced In public affairs, hut perhaps
| his Christianity viii make amends in the
| eyes of many for his numerous defects
| Christianity, however, will hardly prove
S successful in this wicked world IS good
practical common sense.
For clerk W. f. Townsend, Of the
Sussex Jo'traal, {. II. b. Day and Mr.
Voshel Of Smyrna, In addition to several
others, were put in nomination. Notwith-
standing Mr.. Townsend was behind on
The first ballot be gained in popularity and
was nominated on the second. This Is a
most excellent choice, and one fore
shadoTei Ia letter from Sussex but few
We Ks since. After reading that letter the
members OF the present House saw what
It was policy to do, aud they did it, dis
| playing good taste and sound judgment
In the election Of Mr.. T.
There were only fourteen candidates for
the position Of Sefgeant-at-Arms. All Of
them had fought bravely for the success
of the dominant partv, and therefore al
Of them had claims that the party could
not overlook. But there being provision
made for only one officer Of this kind, all
the applicants could not be satisfied, so il
was decide toaward the prize TO Ebenezer
We sh, Of keuton.
Interested papls and bold and designing
mammas made desperate struggles In favor
Of their particular offspring, in the shape
Of lads ranging in years from 10 10, for
The position of messenger. For miles
around boys were brought in, and their
cases given a patient hearing. But the
noble ambitions Of all but one were crushed
/ M ffrfa r.fs Of hut
true.
The number of applicants in the Senate
for the positions in the gift Of that body
were large, but nothing strange nor start
ling occurred in the caucus, and those
nominated there were, Of course, duly
elected
Speaking Of Mr.. Burchnel awhile age
reminded me Of an incident which oc
Cured in the House this morning. Aftei
Mr.. B. had been nominated for Speaker
Lewis Thompson, IF New Castle, wa,
named for the same office. Mr. Ihomp
son Immediately arose and said that, al
he was a member Of the minority and hi,
, nomination was only intended as a CON
p iment, he would cast his vote In favOl
of his Old friend, Mr.. Burehnol. And h
lid cast his vote in favor Of MIR. b., bu
/ Bmchnel didn't cast his IN favor Of Mr.
T., bu! In favor Of himself.
Now, If Burchuel was man at all ac
b lnalnted with the ways Of the world, h
q would have returned the compliment ex
. pressed by Mr.. Thorn lson by voting fo
y his opponent, or at least have refraine,
e from voting az all. But he did neither,
= New Castle county was again compll
3 netted by the Senate by eiCyaing one o
her delegation to the speakership Of tina
j body. This is, indirectly, very import
p, INT action, and will not only be apprt
u ciated by DR.. Leslie, but also BY hi
!, constituency,
Both Houses have started ont hand
e somely and to-day the amount Of bushes
e transacted far exceeds that gone thiOug
with on the first day Of most sessions.
ri w. S.P.