Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-01-07


CHAPLAIN OF THE HoUsE-No MIDNIGHT CA
RoUsAIIs EXPECTED THIS SESSION.
[Fiom our Regular Correspondent.l
DOVER, Jan. 7.
1t cannot be said yet that the Legislature has
got into working trin and though speaker Stock
ley was prompt in the appointment Of the Stand
ing Committees of the Senate, that work will not
be done in the House until tomorrow morning i
session. The members will then go to their
homes and come back on Monday prepared for
active work.
If the Senate adheres to its refusal to appoint
a committee on Divorce, much business will be
removed from the Legislative halls to the Courts
where it properly belongs, and no good reason
exists why the session need not be q short one.
THE STATE HOUSE BELL
has all at once become unconsciousy matter of
controversy. For 1902 years its tones have awoke
the inhabitants of the land as far as the winds
could watt them. Scarcely had the joyous
chimes of the Old Independence bell at Pha-
dephia died away upon the breeze, upon the
memorable 4th of July, 1776 than its far off
vibrating tones were caught up by
this same Dover State House bell, and
the joyful news of liberty proclaimed to all the
people. For over century it has announced
each succeeding meeting of the Legislature and
called the members together from day to day,
and no one ever thought of it except as an old
Gathering bell. Indeed the commission to re-
Shakespeare to sell all refuse material from the old
building, never once thought of reserving the
old bell. Happily, however, Senator Shakespeare,
when he came to sell the old carpets and other
useless articles, happened to look upon the old
relic that had done such faithful service, and his
thoughts reverting back ro the days of '76 he i'm
medately gave orders to
Spare that bell,
Strike not single blov
A century its charm have rnng
And III protect IL now.
A joint resolution was passed in the House to-
day to donate the bell to the Delaware Historic
al Society, and when the resolution was present
ed to the Senate, that body concurred in the
resolution. Scarcely had this been done, how
ever. than whispered conversation was held
and the subject reconsdered and laid upon the
table.
Mr.. Riddle stated that he would soon call up
the resolution and advocate its passage, as he
thought in the Historical Society rooms was the
place where it should be kept.
Mr.. Shakespeare rehearsed the services of the
bell, and thought that i'll the Library of the
State House. where it had 30 long been used,
was just the place where it should be kept, and
| from present appearances there is where it is
| likely to be kept.
| Mr. Riddle has given notice OF bill to provide
| for
INCREASED REPRESENTATION,
| Which will have stormy road to travel. and Mr..
Ray has given notice of an act to repeal the at
| tachment of wages, a measure which he is heart
| lily in favor of.
Rev. 1. L. Cooper having courteousy declined
| accepting the chaplaincy of the House on ac'
count of his increasing age and the distance at
which he resides from the Capital, Rev. Mr.. Glib
son, rector of the Episcopal Church, was chosen
i'll his place. This action marked the liberaity
of the members of the House, the most Of whom
are Methodists, and the action was appreciated
by those not members of that church.
There being clocks in the remodelled State
| House, and the old bell referred to having been
taken down. the MEMBERS especially those hav-
| ing Indifferent no time pieces, were at loss
| to know how the time was going. In view Of
| this Mr.. Pyle has been instructed to get a clock
| for the House, and Mr.. Shakespeare one for the
Senate.
| The personel of the Legislature, morally, is
far above the average, and while not wishing to
cast any reflections upon the Legislatures of the
past, it is but right and proper to state that in
general intelligence the present body ID un-
| eaualled Each House las chosen well qualified
| and courteous gentlemen for Speakers, while the
clerks are quick accurate, courteous and Will re-
| fleet credit upon the stations which they fill.
| Unless there is a wonderful falling from
| grace there will be
NO MIDNIGHT cARoUsALs
here this winter, and we opine that the arms of
| the walters will not be much strained by tug
| ging keys and champaign baskets to upper cham
| bers from which formerly the midnight shout OF
| revelry rang out over the green, to the great
| annoyance of quiet sleepers.
| Governor elect Cochran was present to-day
| and being admitted to the floor of each House,
| received the congratulations of his friends.
| Hon. James r. Loiland was also here to-day
| looking after the interests of the State Though
| not IN political sympathy with the Legislature lie
was received none the less friendly on that ac-
count.