The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-01-09
our HARRISBURG LETTER.


The meeting OF the beneral Assembly WIS
a rather tame affair. Coming as it did on
New Years day the nsmbers took the oath
of office with rather solemn g-ace- For
some weeks before The meeting of the Legis-
lainre the State was full of rumors Of &
fight that was TO take place over the organ
i~zatioD, but the Slate as fixed up by that as
tute politician, Senator Quay, went through
so smoothly and with so little friction that
there was scarcely any need of 3 caucus OF
the Republican members Of the House
Hon. Henry X. Boyer was reelected speak
or by a unanimous vote, much to the de-
light of all the old members who were fully
acquainted with his eminent fitness for the
chair. The speeches made at the caucus in
nominating and seconding the nomination
were very complimentary indeed.
The nomination and election OF John w
Morrison Chief Clerk Of the House, in opPosi-
ton TO the reelection Of sam Loeb, Of Schuyl-
kill, was no surprise, but it was = wonder
how little opposition there was TO this new
departure as the old Chief Clerk always stood
in with the ring. But the ways Of poliiics are
like those spoken Of in the Scripture, past
finding out. The only thing known is that
Mr.. Loeb was left in the soup. There are
few men better qualified and better liked
than the present Chief Clerk. Mr.. Morrison.
Mr.. Loeb did not give entire satisfaction
besides, it was reported that he was a kick
er5 last fall, when so much depended upon
Republican success, hat a bare suspicion OF
the kind was sufficient 10 defeat him. Thet
rest of the organization of the House went
20 a special committee of twenty who in time
appointed a s~ub-committe Of seven. Repre-
sentative Pugh from your county was on
both of these committees. and did good work
towards bringing about the end desired,
peace and harmony, but he stood by the
Slate all the same. The report of the COM
mittee gives pretty general satisfaction at
least, there were but few, if any, who didnot
accept what they got with a good grace, and
not one word was offered in opposition to
the report of the committee either at the
meeting Of the committee ON Tuesday morn
ing or subsequently at the meeting Of The
Hoase-so we'll was the machine oiled.
Somerset County got an appointment in
/ the person Of Adam Grimm, Of Stoyestown
Assistant Door-keeper. This IS said 70 be the
work Of Hon. Noah S. Miller. bat there are
those who think Pash knew something Of
it.
The Assembly met at II m. on Tuesday,
January ls,, when the caucus nomination.
for Speaker was placed before the House,
when, to the surprise Of nearly every one,
the Democrats placed the glibbed tongued
Wherry. Of Cumberland county, ia nominal
ton in opposition TO Boyer. Ii was thought
that the Democrats had abandoned MI hope.
as up to that tiae nothing had been heard
from Them. II seem, they still have n linger-
ing hope Of some day carrying Penn sylvia
mia, but it will be in the far off some day
/ Speaker Boyer was elected by the unusually
large Republican i~najority Of one hundred
and sixly-fye votes, aud John W. Morrison,
Clerk. by the same number.
Alter the election, Speaker Boyer was con-
Quoted to the chair. when he made q very
sensible address on the proper things for the
Legislature to do. A committee was appoint
ed to wait upon the Governor aud inform
him that the House was organized and ready
for any business he might wish 10 lay before
it. They soon Te.urned with word thai
the Governor would report in writing, when
his private Secretary appeared with a large
roll of manuscript, which every one knew
was the message of 1900 words.
Aiecess was taken until 4 O'Clock, when
the House again convened to listen to the
reading of the State paper, but inasmuch as
an evening paper had the same published,
there was not so much interest taken in its
reading. It is a very wise and able mes
sage, and contains much that will be useful
TO the members, if they will study it with
care.
In the Senate about the same scene was
enacted, except that in the selection Of a
Chief Clerk they were not AS fortunate a, the
House. Ia spite Of every effort to get eI-
I Chief Clerk Cochran. of Lancaster. with Rus
sell Errett, Of Pittsburgh, elected without a
fight. it could not be done. Every induce
ment was offered 10 the e1-Clerk not TO go
into a fight in The Senate caucus, but he
could not be 'nduced to withdraw he claim
ed 10 have nineteen written pledges out Of
tffe thirty-iour Republican Senators, and he
insisted in trying his strength and seeing
who his friends really were he received but
ten votes out Of the ;hirty-four. He WAS
disappointed, but bore the defeat nobly. The
return Of Errett, after twelve years absence
is a surprise TO many. His age Is against him.
and many think it was a mistake, since there
is to be a new deal all around.
r. Ii. Dull received an appointment of
Chief Messenger through senator Alexan-
der. He is well liked. and will make a good
officer,
Both houses met at II o'clock on We'd
nesday morning. and held a short session,
when an adjournment was taken for a week.
To give the Speaker time 10 make up the
Committees. The session promises to be
short, aud Of not a very great deal Of i'm
%portanoe. Tie Constitutional Amendment
Resolution will be passed among the first
acts Of both branches, and the Revenue bin
will receive early attention.
Both houses are quite deserted to-nlsht-
but few remaiains-among whom is Repre-
sentative Pugii. who seems to work day Z n
night. His appearance here without a wife
vas quite a surprise, but his profession will
let him out. PaILIP.
rat. MorIah Items.
Railing hay and straw is all the go with
our farmers at present.
Mr. David Miller shipped a ear Of straw