Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-03-08
SPEAKER sTUARTs ADDRESS.

The following are the remarks of Speaker
Stuart in announcing the adjournment
of the House of Delegates on Saturday last,
a synopsis of which appeared in that days
GAZETTE:
Gentlemen of the House Of Delegates Of Iir-
ginia:
In few moments more the time fixed by
the Legislature of Virginia will have arrlV-
ed when it will become my duty 10 declare
this House adjourned without day. Per-
nit me to avail myself of these few moments
to return thanks to each and every member
Of this House for the uniform courtesy, the
uniform Kindness and consideration with
which they have treated me from the be-
ginning of this session. some ninety days
ago, up to the present hour. Men OF all
PARTIES have united to uphold the authority
of the Chair, and with respect have bowed
to its rulings Leaving here as | do, GER
tainly never again, except in the evept OF
an extra session, to preside over tho delib-
erations Of this body, or be a member OF it.
| wish to extend to you my heartfelt, deep
and sincere thanks for all the kindness you
have showered upon me. 1t has been
proud privilege TO preside over the delibera-
| tons of the House of Delegates OF lSa3-'S6.
| Debarred from meeting you in committee,
and to great extent from participating III
tho deliberations upon the floor of the
House, it has been my privilege to witness
day by day steady desire on tho part OF
every man to do his duty uniinching'y to.
wards the people Of the Commonwealth OF
| Virginia.
Regardless of what may have been and
what may be said, it affords me pleasure TO
bear testimony to the fact that al night ana
in the days, in the House, and on commit
tees, no General Assembly of Virginia has
over Gathered here with more earnest pur-
pose or more ardent desire to leSi7iate ior
the GOOD Of the State than the men who
have met here during the past three months
Possibly in all the history Of the Common
wealth of Virginia moro important duties
never devolycd upon q Legislature. Every
circuit Judge, every county judge, every
basement officer, q United States Senator, q
Superintendent of Public Instruction, all
had to be notwithstanding in the ngsrc
gate over one hundred. TO give their
claims duo consideration required patience
and time and took from Us great deal O
time that might have been devoted TO Other
legislation. >,
The State debt, the convict labor, and NJ!
the measures of great public Importance
which for the first time thrust themselves
upon the attention of this legislature, have
been met earnestly and ardently III desire
to do that which was right and for The best
interest of the people.
Whatever may have been said Of the crit
icisms of the Commonwealth, | think every
man here can go home with the assurance
that, whether he docs receive it or not, ths
zeal and patient fidelity to the trusts reposee
in him Justify the reward, "Well done, GOO
and faithful servant"
Now, when | am about to depart iron
you as / have said. possibly never again tt
preside over the deliberations of this body
permit mo to return to you, As did nInet!
days ago, my earnest thanks for that kline
consideration that placed me here. Elected
two years ago to this proud position, ant
renominated by this people, | received tht
place unstained and spotess from the hands
of eminent Eirginians who have heretofore
presided over the deliberations OF the HouS'
of Delegates and while may have made
mistakes and errors ofjudgment, | beg YOU
to believe that they have been errors of TIT
head, not of the heart, and that my onl,
purpose and my only object has been t
arise above party considerations, and spcal
not from q partisan standpoint, but pas
down to my successor this emblem OF trns
as spotless and unstRined as | received il
Loud applause.
Wishing every member safe return t.
his home and to satisfied constituency,
declare the House of Delegates Of Virgins
adjourned without day.