The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-01-13
THE spEAkKRsnIP.

The organization of the House Of
Representatives is always looked
forward to with much interest, and
the selection of a speaker is in this
connection its most important duty.
After temporary organization to-
day the first duty of the House will
be the selection of one of its menu
bers to hold this most important
place, and it so happens that there
is ample material out of which
most proper presiding officer may be
chosen. 1t is usual for the speaker
ship to be given 10 some
gentleman of experience rs legis-
lator, and of the gentlemen who
take their seats to-day as members
of the House, there are a dozen at
least who have qualifications fitting
them for proper discharge of its
work. OF the gentlemen spoken of
for this place, there are Col.
Reeves, of Grayson Col. Finlay, of
Galveston; Mr.. Baker, of Pamela;
Mr.. Wurzbach, of Bexar, and Mr..
McComb, of Montgomery. Col.
Reeves has the greatest amount of
legislative experience of any of
these gentlemen, and, although he
has so often been n member Of the
legislature, il is well known that he
has never aspired to this chiefhOnor.
preferring to serve his constituency
most faithfully upon the floor of the
House. He deserves,.the distinction of
being made presiding officer, but it is
said he will refuse to allow his friends
to push him for the place they would
see conferred upon him, and that he
will still content himself i'll occupy
ing his old place on the floor. where
he has done Texas noble service in
the past, and where he will watch
closely her interests in the future.
Col. Finlay, who represents the rich.
and populous and beautiful city of
Galveston, is q man of brilliant at
tainnents, and is an experienced
legislator. Years ago he was in the
Senate, from one of the western dis
triLts. and since then he has twice
represented Galveston in the House.
He would occupy the speakers
chair with ability, and he would fill
it with Il grandeur rarely eXcelled,
for there are few such men as
Col. Finlay in style, bearing and
personal appearance. On the
floor he has been noted for
his ability in debate, for
his humor, and for the fearless
manner with which he has always
taken hold of subjects. Mr..
Baker stands prominent as q
candidate. He has had large
Legislative experience, and for
eight years he has been the standing
representative of his district. On
the floor lie has taken prominent
stand in debate, and he has acquired
knowledge of parliamentary
law, surpassed by no member
of this legislature. Being a man of
eminentiy conservative views he
would make an impartial presiding
officer, and his perfect knowledge
of parliamentary law would move
business with dispatch. Mr.. Wurz-
bach, representative from the an
cient city of the west, is "a fine
parliamentarian, but it is said he
has concluded to leave the field open
to other aspirants. Of Mr.. McCOmb,
we could not say anything better
than to quotefrom letter forwarded
to theSTATEsMAN from Hs1sTon. 1t
says: "By Limitation of the consti-
tuition, our1egislature are practically
at al end after sixty days sessions.
Work must be done to meet the va
red demands of our people, repre-
senting interests separate and dis
tInct, as are the soil, climate and pro-
duction of our state. Successful
Legislative work depends upon the
capacity of the Speaker, as parlia-
mentarian, and none other should
be selected for that high position.
Judging from the roll of the MEM
bers, the Seventeeth will be noted
for talent. and legal ability, and
amongst the many competent men,
bers who would fill the Speakers
chair with ability, wish to men-
ton the distinguished gentleman
from Montgomery and Harris, the
Hon. j. +. McComb. He was a
useful member of the Fifteenth and
one of the leaders of the Sixteenth,
and in addition TO his general
knowledge of legislation, he is
equally familiar with parliamentary
law. He would make a useful
Speaker, and greatly expedite the
work of legislation.