Telegram-herald., 1890-12-29
OFFICIAL PAPER OF The CITY.


70 pueh good humored fun n being
poksd at the various attaches Of the
several state departments, by the
vor2cIous crowd of Democratic appli-
cants who expect 20 take their places,
that the term "barnacles" has fixed
meaning in the capital city. Two OF
these unfortunates, who have long
been connected with the legislative de-
partment, are thus mentioned by the
Lansing Journal, IN its issue Of Satur-
day;
CLERK Crossnnan, of the House Of
representatives, and Secretary Miller,
of the Senate, will be on hand TO offici-
ate a. the opening OF the Democratic
Legislature, under the provision re-
curing these two officials of the last
Legislature 10 ofieiate until their sue
csssors are e.ected and qualified. In
fact u Will fall 10 the lot OF Clerk Cross
man to call the House TO orLer and act
as presiding officer unti the new
Speaker - formally elected. Jus. how
long the respective bodies will continue
these two Republicans IN Office after
matters are once gotten under way, is
matter OF conjecture.
Those two officials stand in . peculiar
relation to the next Legislature. By
force OF common parliamentary law,
1t was the duty and peroga-
tive of the Secretary of the
Senate and the Clerk of the
House to act at the organization of the
new houses and until the election Of
their successors. TIE Clerk also pre-
SIDED until the election Of Speaker.
During the session of 1877, after much
difficulty had been experienced by 9TH
er State Legislatures in the matter of
making up the roll calls and organiza-
ton, owing to the closeress Of the cleo
tons Of 1876, TO FIX by statute the mode
OF organization IN Michigan, An act was
passed for the organization of sessions
OF the Legislature This act makes the
Secretary and Clerk of the last proceed
ing houses n oFeio officers of the new
houses. until their successors are elect
ed. BY virtue of that provision they
are at the mercy Of the Democratic
malorIties. They can b. held in those
places an indefinite length of time, or
displaced At once by the election of
their successors.
The services Of these two officials has
been long aud continuous. Mr.. Cross
mans first appearance IN the House
was IN ls65, "a Corresponding Clerk
under y. 4. Jones, Chief Clerk for
many years In 1867 and 1859 be was
Representative from the Second Dis
trict OF Ingham county. In 1871 he
was not connected with the Legislature,
but At that session the present Secretary
of the Senate got bis first legislative ex
perisnce a. Assistant Enrolling Clerk
of the House, which place he held until
the extra session Of 1874. Chief Clerk
Jones having "Grssleyized" in 1872
Mr.. Crossman was elected ss his sue,
eessor and has held that place up &c
the present time. In 1874 the present
Secretary was made Correspond Ina
Clerk under Chief Clerk Srossman and
IN 1875, became rs Journal Clerk. The
latter place he held under Mr.. Crossmar
Until the session OF lss5, and 40, while
Others call him "Uncls" Dan, he lcck:
upon Mr.. Crossman ss his Legislative
godfather" la 1885 the present Score
tsry OF the Senate was first elected.
Clerk Gresham q proficient par
hsmentarisn and has done much NOR.
10 systemstizs Michigan legislative prac
tee than any ether Clerk, and the tvc
houses are now run on the same sys
TEN, except where the rules requlrs
differences OF procedure.
As the Journal saws, Il "is q mates
Of conjecture' how long they viii con
tnue "A Office. Both viii serve unit
officially relieved and both will lesv'
their places with somewhat the sAnls
feelings as are expe rlenced by tbs
young man who, for the FIRST time
leaves the parental home.
We imagine that We have had q tast'
q winter IN Michigan, but she sccoun