The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-01-04
THE NEW LEGISLATURE
FORECAST OF THE ORGANIZA-
TION OF TIE TWO BRANCHES.
Next "Wednesday Will Witness the \ s.
semblins OF the observation-disclosures
thing in Readiness.

convenes in Raleigh next Wednesday. I'm
der the Constitution this body meets on
the second Wednesday in January, ben
nially, and continues in session sixty days.
If at the end of sixty days the business is
unfinished the members may remain and
complete it, but after that number of days
they cannot draw pay for their services.
On more than one occasion the members
have given their time to complete the pub
lie business
The first matter that will interest the
members of the House, and attract public
attention and interest as we'll, will be the
selection of the officers of that body For
Chief Clerk of that body we have heard
but one name suggested that of our es-
teemed and competent friend, I. B. WON
ACk, ESQ, of Chatham. Col. JOHN d.
CAMERON, who has been Chief Clerk for
many years, viii not be a candidate. The
indications, therefore, are that Mr.. WON
ACK will have the high honor of an elec-
ton by acclamation. If the Legislature
does thus, without a contest, make Mr..
WoMACK Chief Clerk, il will deserve to be
congratulated There is no man in North
| Carolina more competent, and very few
who can be compared to Mr.. WoMACK in
his special fitness for this important posi-
ton.
OF course the chief interest in the organ
ization centres in the selection of Speak
er. For that high honor six names have
been mentioned -MEssRs. NJ. f. GARTER,
of Buncombe; CHARLES NJ. CookE, of
franklin r. \. DOUGHToN, of Ale
| ghany; AUGUSTUS LEAZAR, of Iredell; c.
| c. LYON, of Bladen; and THOs. H. SUTTON,
| of Cumberland. However, 50 far as we
have information, the only three candi-
dates regularly II the field are Messrs.
CARTER, LEAzAR and SUTTON They have
/ all served in the Legislature before and
/ have legislative experience. The contest
between them viii be spirited All the
| candidates are expected to arrive by Mon
! day and TO open headquarters. We will not
hazard an opinion as to who Will be made
/ Speaker
1t seems to be generally conceded that
/ one of these three men will secure the
/ honor, but il Is not cut of the range of
possibilities that one of tie other gentle
men mentioned will be chosen We have
! good Speaker timber and the members of
the House VIII make no mistake il elect
ing either of the gentlemen named. There
is smal! chance of dark horse If the
! dark horse element should enter INTO the
race the friends Of Mr.. D. c. REGAN, of
4 % c.I hot 10
good Speaker H was a member of the
last House. He is very quiet and modest,
5ut those who have heard him on the
stump speak IN terms If the highest praise
of hi, high order of ability
For the other offices in the House, the
candidates are legion. Many Of them are
gentlemen of prominence and most of
them have rendered efficient service to the
party. There can be no denying that the
times are hard when so many nIen-edi
tors, lawyers and others are anxious to
secure these clerkships. We never knew
more deserving or better qualified men
seeking these petitions. The members
Will find it very difficult to choose between
such worthy applicants.
The organization of the Senate does not
excite so much interest because the pre-
siding officer has already been elected by
the people. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STED-
MAN will preside until the new I.ieuten-
ant Governor, Col. THos. NJ. HOLT is sworn
IN. 1t is pleasant to LIEUT.. -GOvERNoR
STEDMAN's many friends to know that he
will be present at the opening. He Will
retire TO private life with the admiration,
confidence, and respect of the whole State.
As a presiding officer We have never seen
his superior, if we have known his equal
Thoroughly versed in parliame entary law,
he is quick to see and decide all points
raised, and his rapid dispatch of business
is often truly marvellous. He is the soul
Of courtesy and has won the regard and
esteem OF all those who have served in the
Senate since he has been its presiding of
ficer Col. Holt, who succeeds him AS
t President of the Senate, is an experienced
, presiding officer having been Speaker of
the House in 1885. He is man of wide
: acquaintance and knowledge of men and
affairs and will come to the discharge of
Y his high office Wit b a large measure OF eX
| perieuce and capacity.
Fo! Chief Clerk of the Senate the CHRON-
ICIE has head of no candidate, except
Mr. r NJ. FURMAN, of Asheville, who has
i held the position long term of years to
e the satisfaction of all concerned. For the
. other offices there are a number of candi-
dates, as in the House, and they are de
) serving and capable men.
n 1t is usual, we believe, for the Senators
+ to elect President pro TEN from thell
d number. In view Of Col. HoLT's not HAY
D ing fully recovered from his long sickness
/ it is not thought he can preside all the
$ time, and therefore the position of Presi
dent pro tenn will be more important thar
is usual We have heard very little sale
a of who will receive this honor, but the
d names of Senators E. W. KERR, of Samp
e son; JAS H. POu, of Johnston; W. r
e SHAW, of Hertford; W. D. TURNER, of Ire
It dell and WILLIS K. WILLIAMS, of Pitt
/ have been mentioned in that connection
IS They are the only Senators who served IL
r the last Senate.
n The most important contest that will b.
e decided by joint caucus will be the con
1t test for United states Senator. HON. Nj
w RANSOM who has been longer in tn
d Senate than any other Southern man. Is
) candidate for re election. The other can
le didates are CAPT. S. 3. ALEXANDER, E1
rs Gov THOs J JARVIS, and Hon. N
" WADDELL Other names are mentioned II
J. connection with this high office, among
Id them ASSOCIATE JUSTICE MERRIMoN, GEN