The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-01-07
DIR 8ull&tin.
sHAW's SPEECH.
IN which Ne Gushes some and ASKS
the Assistance ~ the HOWE IN
Ma RclklAle NMliea.

che AssisSance ~ the HOME IN
Gts OcaIeate Duties.
Mr.. James Shaw, OF Carroll county,
wss elected speaker Of the Illinois House
Of representatives on THURSDAY. On
taking the chair, he made the following
speech;
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives
You have called me to position full Of
grave responsibilities and delicate duties.
The position IL highly honorable one.
The session Of the general assembly as
sembly upon which We are now entering
10 one OF unusual interest. Grave Ques-
tons are to come before us, affecting the
welfare Of this great people. The
adjustment of the burdens OF taxation
90 that they will fall equitably upon our
people, their property, and their great
vital interests. will present the grayest
and most serious legislative problems
ever presented to legislators.
Ii Is the first time the general assembly
ever convened in this great and noble
state house--a structure SO magnificent
that he who seeks its pillared halls and
gazes on its granite and marbled stair
ways must feel himself lifted into a
broader appreciation OF our loved Prairie
state, and the great resources garnered
from It's rich, virgin soil. 1t is an honor
to belong TO such an assemblage of men,
II by Our acts we render our session hon.
orable and worthy Of the Endorsement OF
our constituents.
1t Is the first general assembly in all
the Legislative history of the state in
which q representative of the colored cit.
liens ever took his seat among honor.
able colleagues and associates.
And in all the years to come. until a
second Centennial year shall have been
reached. the thirteenth general assembly
will be referred to with q peculiar inter
est.
j have said it is an honor TO be called
TO a seat with The men who thus dedi-
cate the capitol building TO its sacred
purposes. 1t Is distingui shed honor TO
be called TO the speakership of the house
under these interesting circumstances.
Accept my heartfelt thanks for the
manifestation Of your confidence, esteem
and good will. wordNail me when l
would attempt to portray my feel
ings as / thus return you my
warmest thanks and acknowledgements
he would be ungrateful. indeed. whose
heart was not touched by your partially
thus manifested.
There are other honorable gentlemen
on this floor of greater fame and ability
than myself. Opportunity would have
developed any one of these into an able
presiding officer. Ii is true your present
apeaker has had some experience a. 3
legislator; but that experience has been
upon the door and not in this chair,
Shall have to crave your KIND indulgence.
while learn the habit ana Glguisy % ,Nis
new poaition. Even the giant warriors
of old chafed in their new battle-harness;
how much more must the feeble shoIil.
ders Of your humble servant chafe undei
grave and weighty responsibilities.
For some days shall be unable 10 de-
vote proper attention 10 the duties of-thi:
chair. will have little or no oppor
tunity to anticipate or prepare for foreseeI
or unforeseen duties and contingencies
Tne few appointed employees OF the gen
eral assembly are already bringing upon
me swarming and worrying duties.
The proper organization Of the com.
mittees requires much attention and care
Committees are the arms and hands, and
working energies Of legislative Assem-
bly,. The different fortunes and callingl
OF life have adapted some men better TO
some kinds OF work than tor others
There are few men on this floor VIII
may not do efficient committee worl
II properly placed. If wronSl.
G2ge fitUMMifree imH hay &c destroyed I
will take me some days to form even
partial acquaintance with the many
strangers before me, and then, at least.
may make mistakes in learning
the true qualifications of honorable
gentlemen. l have little donbt
the committees were to be formed at tn
end OF the session. instead OF its begin
ming, by myself and my very distin
guished competitor for the honor of tn
chair, who will help me form these com
mittees, II the usual unwritten parlia
meutary law of this state is followed
they would be differently formed iron
what they will be In their coming organ
iZation.
May 1 hope to have your inGulgenc
and support as / enter upon these, IN,
new and untried, duties: You ca
greatly aid me you can greatly lighter
my labors by extending helping hand
you can greatly annoy me; you can Sc
riously cripple all my endeayors by de
termined hostility in the parliamentary
arena into which We have entered. MAY
hope that all our aims and desires viii
alone be devoted TO the best interests Of
eur c0nstituents-the great people of a
great and wonderous state: will at.
tempt to do my share towards such q
hoDed-fof result. ! will treat with
courtesy and kindness the humblest and
the greatest member on this floor.
will endeavor to forget the partisan
while speak from this chair, and treat
each ofyOu and the interests dear to you
with fairness and impartiallty. shall
not hesitate TO ask the advice of thos.
older or wiser than mysalf when I an
troubled with knotty questions.
Mr.. Shaw concluded by again return
ing thanks.