Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-10-08
THE LEGISLATURE.
TINE OPENING or THE SESSION
a Harmonious OrgsniEatiOn-.-Msi or
Grout Elected speaker by strong
Majority.

A Harmonious OrganiEstion-.-Msior
Circuit Elected speaker by ~ strong
Majority
GOV r1NaREE RErIBEs, AND GOV. oBMsBEE
TAKES THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR JUDGE 70
LAND PROMPTLY ON HAND WITH THE FIRST |
BILL OF THE SESSION.
from our Montpelier correspondence
MONTPELIER Oct Z, 1856.
Two hundred and thirty. seven out Of 23o |
representatives elect and 80 senators assem-
bled in their respective houses OF the state
house yesterday morning to complete the or
ganization of the ninth biennial session of the
legislature of Vermont The work Of organ
i2stion occupied nearly the whole of the first
day, as well as the larger part of the preced-
ing day and night. Most of the members of
the general assembly we're on hand early in
the day Tuesday, and the spirited canvass
which invariably precedes election day was
kept up throughout the day Tuesday and long
into the night. The feeling that Mai. Grout
of Derby was the coming speaker which has
prevailt among his fri, nds as well as among
his opponents for the past few weeks, was
strengthened by the hearty expression of fa-
vor towards the member from Derby which
was shown by the representatives from all
parts Of the state after their arrival in Mont
pelier. Mr.. CIRCUITS election see med to be a
foregone conclusion, aud the anxiety which
generally arises in the nnds Of candidates
who are formdably opposed was left to aspi-
rants for the minor Offices. w. W. Sdckney
of Ludlow came to Montpelier on Tuesday to
find himself without rival in the election of
clerk of the House, and Chauucey w. Brown
ell, ill.,, of Darlington, was similarly situated
in his candidacy for IT eclion as secretary of
the Senate Indeed, the only wire. pulling
which was done preliminary to election day
was done by the candidates for assistant sec
rotary of the Senate and for the ohaplaincy of
the two houses Six ANXIOUS candidates for
the former office retired late Tuesday night to
dream of victory or defeat.
Alto o'clock Wednesday morning the House
was called to order by Secretary of State Por-
ter and, after devotional exercises conducted
by Rov. j. H. Hincks of Montpelier, the
House proceeded to elect speaker. Mr..
| Mansur OF Brighton nominated the Hon. Jo-
siah Grout of Derby in an able speech, eulo-
giving him ~ a man experience in legislative
affairs and in parliamentary knowledge, and
as one who would perform the duties Of speak
or most acce ptably to the House. Mr. CIRCUITS
name was st conded by 10 members, among
whom was Mr.. Butterieid Of Grafton. The
name of Hon. led s. Stanton of Roxbury
was presented by Mr. Houghton of Montpe-
lier and seconded by three members. The
Democrats, through Mr.. HAselton of Bar
lington, nominated Mr.. j. w. Currier of
Troy, and he was seconded by Mr.. Hall of
Dorset. Mr.. Grout was elected on the first
ballot, receiving 1872 votes out Of total of
232, against ~ for Stanton, % for Curii,r,
and 2 scattering. After taking the oath of
office, Mr.. Grout was conducted to the speak
ers chair by his two defeate opponents, amid
the enthusiastic applause of his fellow mem
bers. Upon taking the gavel be adore sse
the House in the following fecitous speech
Gentlemen Qfthe HoUse AZ Rebres, Htdtircs. Ithauk
you sincerely and cordially for the houored privilege
! Of presiding over your deliberations. Believe me,
would not in the least be uumindiul Of the conf deuce
implied and Of the compliment conferred by youi
Partially In entering upon the discharge Of the du
ties suggested by your choice, desire to be suitably
impressed with the Importance Of the position tc
which you have called me- with the responsibility o
its requirements and with the manifold duties 1t i'm
poses. Feeling that am so impressed, ask yourln
dulgent forbearsnce for any errors | may commit
May your deliberations from first to last be couductt
with wisdom, fidelity, courtesy and despatch. MAJ
the laws enacted this session rebound forever to th
good name Of the state, perpetuate its welfare, ant
promote alike all the interests Of all the people. TX
pectDg this to be the case, let US, genemeu prayer
fully move forward, under divine guidance, to thu
completion Of our work. Your attention is direct
ed to the election Of clerk for the two years next en-
suing
The election of Mr.. Grout to the speaker
ship is fitting honor to a man who is in ev
cry way worthy of the tribute which Yer
mont Republican representatives have giveI
him. Mr.. Grout is thorough specimen o
the best class of Green Mountain Republi
cans. Gentlemanly and It fined in every sens
of the word, he has won the respect Of tn
members of his party who have now electeC
, him for the second time to one Of the highes
offices of honor and trust in the state. Mr.
; Grout was born in Compton, p. q in 1912
He is a farmer and located in Derby in 1879
received a common school and ecademica
education was a member of Company
First Vermont Cavalry and was promote
} SUCCESSFULLY to the ranks Of second leuteu
g ant, first lieutenant, captain and major. II
was deputy collector of customs from 1856 t
+ 1872, member of the House OF Represents
!; tives from 1872 to 1915, during tue last tw
d years Of UhiCh he was speaker, having bee
e elected to that Office on the last night Of th
; session of 1874 to fill the vacancy occasione
+ by the resignation of the Hon. II. II. Power
: who was elected in that year associate judg
+ of the Supreme Court. He was supervisor G
q Rock Island county, H., in 1881 and ISIS.
4 and a member of the House from Derby i
y 1854. In his religious preference Mr.. Grou
e classes himself as liberal"
8 The result of the election OF clerk was
y noted honor to one OF the most efficient occr
n pants of that office which the House has eve
, had. The name of W. W. Stickney, Esq
u of Ludlow was presented by Judge Polauc
e and seconded by Messrs. Tinkham Of Pom
+ fret and Mayo of Mortified. The latter sal
s. that on account of the distinguished abilit
of Mr.. Stickney, who had served the Hous
J. long and faithfully az its clerk, the Demt
n Gratis of the House had decided to unite
o favor of his r, election. Nj S.ickney WI
J. then elected unanimously by a oiCd DOce vot
A triangular contest for the position
il chaplain in which the Rev. o. S. Gilbert
Hinesburg, the Rev. !. p. Booth of Nortl
t, field, and the Rev. f d. Mason of Montp
& lier were engaged, resulted in the election
J. Rev Mr.. Booth, who received l2j vot
. against 81 for Mr.. Gilbert, 20 for Mr.. Masc
"a and 2 scattering. Mr.. Booth is a Univeisi
% ist minister, and therefore, as will be seen |
or u glance at the summary of the religious pre-
e. erence of the House given in another column
represents the liberal tendencies of tn
- body, which is composed largely of men
r. non-orthodox views in religious matters
rs In the Senate G. W. Brownel, jr., of Blu
p lington was unanimously T, elected secretar
1t required three ballots to decide the que
I'd ton of the assistant secretsryship, the cand
D. dates for which were A. X. Brown of RE
a ford, A. G. Fay of Plsinfeld, VIM. Round
re- jr., of Chester, and WIN. Chaplin, son of Sc
ator Chaplin, of Middlesex. On the final bi
I'D lot Mr.. Fay received II votes against / t
90 Brown l for Rounds and / for Chaplin; al
v was declared elected Rev. T. p. Frost pa
>, tor of the Methodist church in Montpelit
~ was elected chaplain, receiving on the secoi
DO ballot 81 votes against five for Rev. j.