The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-01-07
The LegiSlaturo.

The General Assembly of the State wa
convened at Annapolis on Wednesday. Ii
the Senate Hon. John Carroll Walsh wa
chosen as temporary President, and the new
Senators were sworn in and took their pla
ces. 1t was expected that this body would
be fully organized yesterday, by the election
of Hon Daniel Fields, of Caroline county
rs President, the Democratic caucus on Wed
nesday night having agreed upon him. Il
is also understood that Augustus Gassaway
the former Secretary, will be reelected; VIM
H. Hiss, reading clerk to the last Senate, will
also be reelected.
Hartford county will get two places in the
Senate, the caucus having agreed upon Mr.
Abraham Cole, named by Senator Walsh
for postmaster, and Stevenson Archer, OF
John, as a committee clerk.
The work of retrcnchment has already
commenced in the Senate, by the adoption OF
a resolution, offered by Senator Dennis, that
the office of sergeant-at, arms be abolished
The House of Delegat es was organized at
noon on Wednesday, by the election of Hon.
Lewis c. Smith, of Washington county, as
Speaker, and Milton Y. Kidd, of Cecil coun-
ty, chief clerk, and Dr. VIM. II. Cole, of
Baltimore city, reading clerk. Messrs. Kidd
and Cole were clerks TO the preceding House.
Mr.. Smith received tlfty-six votes. His com'
petitor was also named Smith, being DIR. W.
A. Smith, of Dorchester county, an indepcn-
dent Democrat, who received the opposition
vote, numbering "a.
In calling the House to order Mr.. Smith
made the following address:
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELE
GATEs:-To preside over the deliberations of
the popular branch of the Maryland Lcgisla-
ture is an honor of which the most ambi,
tious may well feel proud to he chosen to
TPrs high station ut the present session-a
time when the eyes of the people ofthe whole
State are anxiously directed toward our
every movement-greatly enhances the ho9-
or. To you, therefore, l return my sincere
thanks for the distinguished favor ! have
this day received at your hand, and in so
doing assure you do Int lily express the
grateful feelings which [ experience at this
manifestation of your confidence. / am the
mofr deeply sensible of the honor bestowed
because | am conscious that among those
comforting it there are many whom long
training and ripe experience in legislative
assemblies have eminently fitted for this eX-
allied position. / am not without great mis-
givings as TO my ability to discharge prop
erly the duties of this office. Without cX-
perience, unacquainted with parliamentary
usages bring to the performance of those
duties nothing more than firm and Jealous
% 4 hot 30 nj "a nc
in me lies. Trusting that you will at all
times cheerfully accord to me your assistance
and support, |, in acknowledgement of your
kind indulgence, assure you that, as speaker
of this House, will not be governed by per-
sonal or political considerations, but will
strive to know you each and all as represen-
tatives of the people of Maryland. Coming
as we do fresh from and of the people, and
knowing their wants, let us provide for them;
let US as public servants faithfully discharge
our obligations, and thereby earn the APP
probation Of those who sent us here "A re-
ward which amply compensates for the Sc
verest and most arduous labors that may de-
volve upon us. doping that the session
upon which we are entering may be charac-
terized by wise and economical measures, l
now enter upon the discharge of my duties,
and call this house TO order.
The indications are that the Democratic
majority in the Legislature will carry out
measures of reform and economy. In again
entrusting them with the duty of legislating
for the State, the people will expect thor
Augh sitting out of little as well as great
and a rigid economy in appropriating
%lic funds. BY q wise and prudent
present Legislature can do much
sSe public confidence in the Demo
asy.s.s.e party, and make Maryland certain for
the Democratic nominee for President next
fall.