Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1883-12-07
The xlvr11 Congress.


United States was organized at noon
Monday.
The Senate was called to order by
Vice-President Edmunds and the
new Senators from the various states
sworn in. The House was called to
order by Clerk MCPHERSON and the
vote for Speaker resulted, Carlisle,
DEM, l9l; Keifer, Rep, ll2; Scat
tering, 4. Mcssrs. Keller, of Ohio,
and Randall, of Pennsylvania, were
appointed 10 escort Speaker-elect
Carlisle to the chair.
MR.. CARLIsIE's SPEECH.
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Car
Isle said; Gentlemen Of the House Of
Representatives. thank you sim
ccrely for the high honor conferred
by the vote just taken, 10 be chosen
from the membership of body like
this to preside over its deliberations
is distinction upon which any citi-
zen may properly congratulate him
self, and assure you your kindness
is fully appreciated. At the same
time l realize the fact that the posi-
ton which you have assigned me is
one Of every great labor and respon-
sibility, and while profoundly gratc-
full for this manifestation of your
confidence, l shall enterupo the dis
charge of Its duties with serious dis
trust of my capacity to meet, in an
acceptable manner, the requirements
Of the Office. promise, however, to
devote to Your service all the zeal and
ability OF which | am possessed.
Gentlemen the maintenance of order
on the floor is essential, absolutely es.
sential, to the intelligent and syste-
matte transaction of public business,
and l earnestly invoke your assistance
in the enforcement of the rules adept
ed for the government otour proceed
ings. The large addition to The
membership ofthe IIouse, resulting
from the late spportionment Of Rep
resentatiyes, makes this duty even
more difficult than before, and with
out cordially cooperation and. sup
port can not reasonably hope even
to discharge the ordinary daily duties
ofthis Office. That yon will cheer
fully cooperate with me III every
proper effort to preserve order and
facilitate the business Of legislation L
have no doubt: but, gentlemen, 1
shall ask something more than mere
cooperation in the discharge of my
duty. Assuring you Of my earnest
desire at all times to be just and I'M
partial, still ! can not expect to avoid
mistakes, and shall be compelled
therefore frequently, no doubt, to re-
ly on the friendly forbearance Of the
gentlemen on both sides of the House.
/ am sure, gentlemen, all matters
for legislation presented to this
Congress will receive from you such
careful consideration as the magni-
tude, character and interests in
volved require, and your action up
on them be wise, conservative and
patriotic. Sudden and radical chan
ges OF the laws and regulations af-
fecting the Commercial and indus
trial interests Of the people, ought
never to be made unless imperatively |
demanded by some public cmcrgcn-
cy, and in my opinion, under the ex-
listing circumstance, such changes
would not be favorably received by |
any considerable number of those
who have given serious attention to |
the subject [Applause.] Many re-
forms are undoubtedly necessary,
and 1t will be your duty, after care
full examination of the whole subject
in all its bearings, to decide how far
they should extend and when and in
what manner they should be made.
Applause. ]If there be any who fear
that your action in this or any other
subject win be injurious to any in
terest, or even afford reas ,nable |
cause for alarm, / am quite sure they
will be agreeably disappointed. Zap
plause.] What the country has the
right to expect is strict economy in
the administration Of every depart
ment Of the Government, just and
equal taxation for public purposes
the faithful observance Of the limita-
tions Of the Constitution, and scru-
pulous regard for the rights and in
terests of the great body of people, in
order that they may be protected, for |
Congress has the power to protect
them against Entertainments from
every direction. Whatever can be
done under the circumstances sur
rounding us to meet this expectation,
ought to DO done In my Judgment. |
But gentlemen, without OBTAINING
you further, lam ready to take my
oath of Office prescribed by the Con-
stitution and laws, and proceed to
complete the organization Of the
House. Applause.
The iron-clad oath was admins
tered by Mr.. Kelly, the oldest mem
Der in continuous service, and Speak
err Carlisle called the House to order
The roll-call by States showed 3l6