Smyrna times., 1889-01-09
The Meeting of the Legislature.


We had time last week to give but
the brief organization of the two houses
of the Legislature DR.. Lewis upon
taking the speakers chair in the Senate
said:
" l take this means of expressing my
appreciation for the compliment YOU
have conferred upon me. ask your
hearty sympathy in my efforts. Imay
at times disagree but whatever errors
l make will be errors of the head and
not of the heart. l will try to the best
OF my ability to decide all questions
impartially. With these few remarks
we will now proceed to whatever fur
ther business there is before the Senate :
The EUery EUenjng in noting the or
ganizatiOn of the House says:
The new representatives are a credit
able appearing body of men, and they
number among them some who know
how to talk, and are capable of
becoming fair parliamentarians. Speak
er Hotiecker is, in figure and feature,
one who seems cut out by nature for a
graceful and impressive presiding Off
Ger. His voice is excellent and his
enunciation well modulated and dis
tinct. His first act upon taking the
chair, the delivery of the customary
address Of thanks, showed him off to
very good advantage. He spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen of the House Of Represen-
tGtiUes: Permit me to thank YOU for
the honor conferred upon me. In en-
tering upon the duties of your presid-
ing officer, feel that there are grave
responsibilities resting upon me; so
much so indeed that my timid nature
would shrink were it not that l remem-
Der that our government is of the peo-
pie, by the people and for the people.
And when l remember, too, that in all
our legislative bodies there is an inher-
ent law that every member, high or
low, rich or poor, learned, or less learn
ed, has equal rights with every other
member, then, gentlemen, / feel that
the chair is llanked with support; and
on this bright first day of the new year.
as we are in the House of Representa-
tives, may | not ask you to be slow in
your criticisms, for it would be mar
velOus indeed that the chair should
make no mistakes, and at the same
NaAAAN AAttF 4 AlON ttHlA y OAig " AilAC SlOW III
your criticism, that you will be prompt
in giving the support that may be
needed. The chair is now ready to
entertain the next business in order.
The EUeaiHg Journal says:
Both of the new presiding officers
have created a good impression from
the jump. Speaker Lewis in many re-
spects reminds one of President of the
Senate Ingalls,. He handles the gavel
with considerable dignity. Puts the
motions in a clear, sharp voice that is
heard in every part of the room. He
Is perhaps the best informed man on
parliamentary law in the Senate, and a
better selection could not have been
made. Though "a warm contest was
waged for his position, it is the first
time for years that no hard feelings re-
main after th" caucus. He received
six votes on the final ballot in the eau
Gus and general cOugratulatiOn was
extended to him when he was elected
ny his fellow members two years ago
when the contest for speaker was be-
fore the caucus.
The House. like the Senate has Sc
cured an excellent presiding officer.
Speaker HOilecker makes Il striking
appearance in the chair. While in the
chair he takes a half reclining position.
which for man of his size, ifanything.
Is the best. His statement of the ques-
ton before the House is made in a ro-
tund voice that has a vein of dignity
about it that strikes one at once. He
comes to the chair with years of expe-
rlence as a presiding officer that will
be invaluable to him. Among the
Democrats of the House there are
some good parliamentarians, notably
Biggs, Armstrong and Lodge. Both of
the former are ex-members and will be
among the takers. Lodge is the only
lawyer in the Legislature. On the Re
publican side the only member that has
made public speeches is Downham, but
there are takers there, if some of the
speeches of Monday nights caucus are
any criterion. Dr. Richardson, w. r.
Davis, Masten, Downham and Maull
are also expected to be among the
takers. The last House was one OF
the best ever in Dover and if personal
appearances go for anything, the pres
ent body will at least equal it. The
Republican members have the reputa-
ton of being solid, practical farmers
and business men. The seven Demo
Gratis Of New Castle county comprise
the strongest Democratic delegation
ever sent from that county. In Gray
Wilmington has much stronger rep
resentative than it had in Ware. Arm.
strong and Biggs are old hands
Whiteman is the youngest man in the
House, but is looked upon as having a
future. Lodge is probably the best
educated man in either body and
Eckles is a fit successor to Mccoy
BrOckson, like most of the Kent and
Sussex members, is unknown.
Very little business is expected nexl
week, as only few days ensue before
the Senatorial election and the time O.
| most Of tho nnaun hare mill ho 4o1.a.. -.