Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-12-07
HOUSE OFFTCERS.

The nominees of the Democratic caucus
OF Congressional Representatives held in
Washington on last Saturday were elected
upon the organization Of the Forty Eighth
Congress on Monday. John g. Carlisle, Of
Kentucky, Speaker; John b. Clarke, Of Mis-
souri,, Clerk of the House; John p. Leedom,
of Ohio, Sergeant J. G. Winter
smith, of Texas, Docrkeeper; l.. Dalton, of
Indiana, Postmaster; Rev. John S. Lindsey
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, George
town, ID. c., Chaplain and it was decided
TO retain the fourteen disabled Union SOL
diers under the Doorkeeper.
Upon taking the chair Mr.. Carlisle said :
Gentlemen of the House of Representa-
tives; thank you sincerely for the high
honor conferred upon me by the vote Just
taken. To be chosen from the membership
of a 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
ioundly 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 10 meet in an acceptable man
ner the requirements of this office. prom
Use 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
MT I'D
public business and earnestly invoke your
assistance in the enforcement OF the rules
adopted for the government of our proceed
ings.
"The large addition to the membership of
this House, resulting from the late apporl
tionmcnt Of Representatives, makes this duty
even more difficult than il has been before
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 legis-
lation have no doubt. But, gentlemen,
shall ask something more of you than mere
co operation in the discharge of my duty.
Assuring you OF my earnest desire at all
times TO be just and impartial, still cannot
expect TO avoid mistakes, and shall be COM
PEELED therefore frequently, no doubt, to rely
ON the friendly forbearance Of gentlemen on
/ both sides of the house.
! 81 am sure, gentlemen, that all matters of
| legislation presented during this Congress
will receive from you such careful consid-
Grafton as the magnitude and character Of
/ the interests involved require, and that your
action upon them will be wise, conservative
and patriotic. Sudden and radical changes
in the law and regulations affecting the
commercial and industrial interests of the
people ought never be made unless impera-
| lively demanded by some public emergency,
and in my opinion, under existing circum-
stances, such changes would not be favor
ably received by any considerable number
! of those who have given serious attention
to the subject. Applause.] Many reforms
are undoubtedly necessary, and it will be
your duty, after a careful examination of
the whole subject in all its bearings, to de-
eide 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 on this or any other subject
will actually be injurious to any interest, or
even afford reasonable cause for alarm, am
quite sure that they will be agreeably dis
appointed. 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, a faithful observance Of the
limitations OF the constitution, and a scru
pulous regard for the rights and interests oil
the great body of the people, in order that
they may be protected, as far as Congress
has power TO protect them, against en-
croachments from every direction. What
ever can be done under the circumstances
surrounding us 10 meet this expectation
ought to be done, in my judgment.
"But gentlemen, without OBTAINING you
further am ready to take the oath OF ofiict
prescribed by the constitution and the law
and proceed 70 the complete organization d
the House" Applause.