The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-05
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Organization and Election of Oficers-Ad-
dress of Mr.. Speaker Bynun.


dress of Mr.. Speaker Bynum.
THURSDAY, Jan. 4.
The members of the House of Representatives
elected to the Ffty-third General Assembly of
the State of Indiana convened in the Criminal
Court room of the Marion county courthouse
and were called to order by the Secretary of
State, Hon. f. r. Hawn, MAJOR o. NJ. Wilson
acting as clerk by appointment of the Secretary
of State. The ninety eight members came for
ward and received the oath Tor afiirmaton) of
Office at the hands of Judge Niblack, one of the
judges of the Supreme Court of Indiana.
The Rev. MyrOn W Reed, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, offered the
following prayer
almighty God we ask Thy blessing upon the
Co mmonwealth of Indiana. We thank Thee for
the privilege of the day, the opportunity of the
place. May privilege and opportunity be used
for the good OF the people. We pray that in all
the days of this Assembly the best mind of the
people may ne represented. May they be able
to hate one anothers opinions and still to love
one another Aud now may Thy blessing rest upon
wives ana children who this morning miss the
presence of the head of the house. May good
health abide 18th us and all who are dear to us;
and may Thy blessing rest upon mind and heart.
We ask everything in Thy name Amen"
The Secretary of State announced that there
was a quorum present. and announced the next
business in order to be the nominations for
Speaker of the House.
Mr.. Heffron placed in nomination the Hon.
William D. Bynum, of Marion county.
Mr. Frazier nominated Hon. A. ]. Wright, Of
Grant county.
There were no other nominations
The vote resulted: For Mr.. Bynum, 81 votes;
for Mr.. Wright, Al votes.
Mr.. Bynum having received q majority OF all
the votes cast, was declared by the chair duly
elected.
The Secretary of State appointed Mr. Moody
r., "A Tn he na w
elected Speaker to the chair, upon taking which
Mr.. Bynum spoke as follows:
"Gentlemen OF the House OF REPRESENTATIVES.:
l thank you for the honor you have conferred
upon me by selecting me to preside over your
deliberations. 1 regret that do not bring to
the position that legislative experience neces-
sary to prompt and efficient discharge of the
duties. | promise you, however, yhaO 1 will
strive to obtain perfect knowledge of the rules
which may be adopted for our government, and
when so obtained shall endeaYOr TO enforce them
lmpartially. am cognzint of the fact that no
presiding officer can successfully discharge the
duties of his position without the unqualified
support of all the members of the body over
which he has control. | shall endeavor to so
conduct myself as to merit not only your sup-
port, but also your confidence and esteem.
If | am successful, 1 have no fcGrs but
that L shall receive them TIE time
allotted to us in which to transact the
necessary business of the State is short vet
by dilligent labor we can and we ought to COM
plete our work wlthn the regular constitutional
period The mistake, if it can be called mis-
take, OF the last LEGISLATURE was in the enact
without due consideration. The people are sell
dom, ii ever, profted by hasty and ineonsderate
legislation 1t has been truly SAID that the unfore
seen far outnumbrr the foreseen consequences
OF the law. lf this be true of well-prepared and
well-matured decisions ny the most acute legal
minds, what may we expect at best from
statutes enacted by a legislative body in the
brief period of time liked by our constitution.
We can avoid the errors and escape the censure
of former Legislatures by cOnfinng our labors
strictly 10 matters of necessity and Importance
Whatever laws we may pass should he duly
sidered and well understood beforehand. 1t is
certainly gratifying 10 us all that, after many
contests within and without these halls we meet
to legsae for the interests of the State, without
any important or exciting political questions to
distract our thoughts or disturb our delibera-
tions Under such circumstances ought to
be able to accomplish our lahors with credit to
ourselves and with satisfaction to Gonstitu-
ents."
Mr.. Gibson nominated s. W. Edwins, of Madl-
son county, for principal clerk.
Mr.. Montgomery nominated W. H. Hay, of
Marion county.
The ballot resulted for Mr.. Edwins, 81, and for
Hr. Hay, 80.
Mr. Jewetu nominated for assistant clerk Will
liam A. Peelle, of Johnson county.
Mr.. Frazier nominated W, ]. Nichols, of Boone
county
The vote resulted for Mr. Peelle, Sc; for Mr.
Nichols, 60.
Mr.. Moody nominated for doorkeeper Henry B.
Frey. OF Grant county.
Mr.. Stewart nominated D. A. Roberts, of Jefrer-
son county.
The vote resulted for Mr. Frey, So for Mr. Rob
erts, Al.
Messrs Edwins, Peelle and Frey having sever
ally received a majority of all the votes cast,
they were sworn into office by Judge Nibltck
Mr.. McMullen offered a resolution which was
adopted, directing the clerk to inform the Senate
OF the organization of the House.
Mr.. Heffron offered the following, which was
adopted
"Resoved, That the rules of the last House of
Representatives. shall be the rules of this until
otherwise ordered, and that a committee of -
be appointed by the Speaker to report rules for
the government of this House, which committee
shall report on Monday next
Mr.. Moody offered resolution, which was
adopted, constituting the joint rules of the last
session the rules for the present.
Senators Marvin and Sayre appeared at the
bar of the House, and announced themselves as
a committee appointed by the Senate to inform
the House of the organization of that body.
Mr.. Shockney offered resolution, which was
adopted
For acommittee to act with like committee
from the Senate to inform the Governor Of the
organization of the General Assembly. and learn
at what time he will be pleased to communicate
with the houses
Resolutions of thanks to Secretary Hawn Rev
Myr0n W. Reed and State Librarian Wnsor
were adopted, and also one instructing the door
keeper 10 invite ministers of the gospel 10 omen
the sessions with prayer.
Messrs. Wiley, Jarrett and Moody were ap-
pointed u committee to report, soon as post
bic, as TO the procurement OF commit tee rooms
FOR the use of the House.
Mr.. Deem offered the following, which was
adopted:
q Besolved. That the officers OF this Honse be
requested 7hen the occasion will permit) to
give the preference, in their appointments of
suhordinates, To soldiers who have LOST limbs In
the ce'enRr of our country"
A RESTITUTION W appoint u committee OF two