Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-08
THE SOLONS OF VERMONT GETTING
DOWN TO WORK.
Opening of the Session-Prompt Organiza-
ton of the Two Houses Major Grout
Speaker-The First Bill-TO days
Programme Legislative Notes.

From Our Corr spondent.
MONTPELIER, October G.-The ninth
Biennial and ll1th regular session of
the Vermont Legislature opened auspi-
ciously to-day. Everything seems to
promise IA pleasant and interesting SEES
sion. AT the opening it was found that
23l members had presented their creden-
tials. An unusually large number of
young men are seen among the members,
and altogether there has never assembled
a brighter and better looking set of men
at the State capitol than assembled there
this morning.
The corridors OF The Pavilion hotel were
crowded last evening with members dis
cusSing the candidates for the different
offices to be filed to-day. 1t was notice
able fact, but not a peculiar one in the can.
vases which have preceded the legsa-
tive elections heretofore, THAI most of the
Wire-pulhng was carried on by the friends
of candidates FOR the minor offices. There
wee no less than sir candidates for the
office of assistant secretary of the Senate
and the discussion of the comparative
merits of these half dozen rivals occu-
pied the time of the senators-eiect till
nearly midnight. Among the mem
bers of the House it would be
hard to say which of two things,
the friends of Mr.. Circuit and Mr. Stanton,
and the struggle carried on between the
rival candidates for the chaplainship of
the House, occupied the more prominent
position. Before the members retired,
pweYer, it was rs good as settled that
~. Grout would be elected on the first
s,. lot.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The two Houses were promptly called to
order by Secretary of State Porter at 10
O'Clock this morning and proceeded
at once to the organization. For
the speakership of the House Mr.
Mansur of Brighton in an earnest and
effective manner presented the name of
the Hon. Josiah Grout OF Derby, who was
seconded Dy Is other prominent members
from rs many counties Mr.. Stanton
name was presented 10y Mr. Houghton Of
Montpelier with three seconderS.
In behalf of the DEMOCRATS Mr.. Hazel
ton OF Burlington presented the name of
J ohn w Currier of Troy, seconded by Mr..
Wall OF Dorset.
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
Major Gfout was elected on the first bal
DOT, receiving out of a Total of 232 votes
152 against ~ for Stanton. Is for Currier
and = scattering.
Mr. Grout was declared elected, and
MAS conducted 10 the chair by his competi
fHTb lOT Tue Cutlr anna lne applause or the
hiollse Major Grout addressed the House
in the following felicltous speech:
Gentlemen OJ the Ho0Se 0f Representatives.
thank you sincerely and cordially for the
honored privilege Of presiding over your de
liDeratlons. Believe me, would not in tn,
least be unmindtulof the confidence implied
and OF the compliment conferred by your par
1ialify. In entering upon the discharge OF the
duties suggested by your choice / desire Il
be suitably impressed with the Importance o
the position to WHICH you nave called me,wtl
ha Of 10 ira anti
the manifold duties IL imposes. Feeling tina
am so impressed, ask your indulgent for
bearance for any errors ! may commit Ma!
Quoted, with wisdom, fidelity, courtesy an,
despatch. May the laws enacted this session
rebound forever to the good name of tn
state, perpetuate its welfare and promot
alike all the interests OF all the people Ex
pecting this to lie the case, let us, gentlemen
prayerlully move forward, under divine guild
anoe, to the completion of our work. You
attention is now directed to the election OF
clerk for the two years next ensuing.
For clerk, the efficient clerk OF forme
years, Mr.. W. w. Stickney of Ludlo,
was reelected unanimously by viva voc
vote. The only election in the House owe
which there was any real contest, wa
that OF chaplain. 1t was found that tire
reverend gentlemen from different part
of the safe aspired to the position an
per diem, and these We're the Reverend
I. T. Booth of Mortified, presented b
Mr.. Mayo of that town, Rev. o. S. Gilbel
of Hinesburgh, presented by Mr.. Chez
more of Huntington, and Rev. Il. /
Mason of Montpelier, presented by Nj
Wheelock of Berlin. Mr.. Booth was electe
on the first ballot.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SENATE.
in the Senate C. w. Brownell. Jr, {