The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-08
Carlisle's Speech.

Following is Hon. John S. Carlsle's speech
upon taking the chair after his election as
speaker of the House of Representatives on
Monday:
GENTLEMEN OF THE House OF REPREsEN-
TATIvEs | thank you sincerely for the high
honor conferred upon me by the vote just
taken. TO be chosen from the membership
of great body like this to preside over its
deliberations is distinction upon which any
citizen might properly congratulate himself,
and | assure you that your kindness and par
TALLY are fully appreciated. At the same
time | realize the fact that the position to
which you have assigned me is one of very
great labor and responsibility, and while pro-
foundy grateful to you for this manifestation
of your confidence | shall enter on the dis
charge of its duties with a serious distrust of
my capacity to meet in an acceptable manner
the requirements of this Office.
promise you, however, to devote to your
service all the zeal and all the ability of which
| am possessed. Gentlemen, the maintenance
of order on the floor is essential-absolutely
essential-to the intelligent systematic trans
action of public business, and | earnestly in
yoke your assistance in the enforcement of the
rules adopted for the government of our pro-
ceedings. The large addition to the mem
bership of this House, resulting from the late
apportionment of Representatives, makes this
duty even more difficult than it has been be-
fore, and without your cordial cooperation
and support | cannot reasonably hope evenly
to discharge the ordinary daily duties of this
Office That you will cheerfully cooperate
with me in every proper effort to preserve
order and to facilitate the business of legisla-
ton, | have no doubt.
Sudden and radical changes in the laws and
regulations affecting the commercial and in
dustrial interests of the people ought never be
made, unless imperatively demanded by some
public emergency and, in my opinion, under
existing circumstances, such changes would
not be favorably received by any considerable
number of those who have given serious at
tention to the subject. Applause. Many re-
forms are undoubtedly necessary, and 1t will
be your duty, after careful 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. APP
plause. If there be any who fear that your
action on this, or any other subject, will ac
tually be injurious to any interests or even
afford reasonable cause for alarm, am quite
sure that they will be agreeaby disappointed.
Applause.
What the country has right to expect is
strict economy in the administration OF every
department of the Government; just and
equal taxation for public purposes; faithful
observance of the limitations of the Constitu
ton, and scrupulous regard for the rights
and interests of the great body of the people,
in order that power to protect them against
encroachment from every direction. What
ever can be done, under the circumstances
surroundings, to meetthis expectation, ought
to be done, in my judgment Applause.
But. gentlemen, without OBTAINING you fur
Their, am ready to take the oath of Office pre-
scribed by the Constitution and the Laws and
proceed to the complete organization of the
House.