The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-14
THE HOUSE is FOR REFORM.
a Good Start Made to Redeem the Ma
jority's Pledges to the People.

call the house to order u preside, pend
ing the election of a speaker. Thursday
morning. at 10 o'clock, Secretary Griffin
discharged this important duty, when
he entered the hall of the house
with the roster of the members
elect, and took possession of the
speakers desk. lie glanced about the
hall he saw seventy-four seats occupied
by democrats, but the twenty-six repub-
Leans were far off in the southwest corner
under the galleries, and could not be seen
from the darkness that favored the minori-
tv. The c~lOak-room, the outside aisles
and the galleries were crowded with dem
ocratic spectators. All the seats not occu-
pied by members we're held down by
ladies. The galleries were filed by the
county democracy" Not one republican
could be seen, and yet this very hall
was a republican "roost" only four
years ago. Whether it was the
recollection OF this lost power
or stage fright" that made the republic
can secretary of state sink down in the
fifty-dollar upholstered speakers chair, is
not known. But at this critical moment
two doorkeepers brought in a huge floral
piece and deposited it on the desk adjoin-
luI MI. IldIIcll :, Ill IL ldNOIcQ lOCdllJJ O1
the democratic side. ITO Chester K.
Faulkner-from admiring friends. May
your efforts be az successful as your friends
are true" on a neat card attached to the
floral offering was all the gentlemen from
Ripley knew about it. Mr.. Faulkner,
who was once chief-of-division in the pen
sion office ut Washington, with seventy
five female clerks, was not overcome by
this unique token of remembrance, which
overlapped Mr.. Harrelrs desk. also;
but Mr.. Griffin, who comes from
the "land o. K~ankakee," where flowers
are appreciated, regained possession of
his faculties at the sight of Mr.. Faulk-
ner's exclusive bouquet. Three raps from
his gavel, and all conversation ceased. In
a clear, distinct voice, heard all over the
hall, the secretary said: The representa-
tives will please take their seats. / now
declare the house of representatives of the
Fifty-seventh general assembly of the
state of Indiana in sess on. The Rev. DIR.
Cleveland will now invoke the divine
blessing" The prayer OF DIR. Cleveland
was simple and short, but to the point.
Deputy Secretary of State Young
then called the roll OF
the members-elect This is a lucky legis-
lature, not a member elected last Novem-
Der having passed out of this world as has
been the case in other states. Not a
member was prevented from attending by
sickness or through misfortune. Ninety
nine members responded to the first roll
call of the session. The absent member,
Joseph +. Gent OF Columbus.
was in the city, but as Large
bodies move slowly" ETC., he did
not reach the house till IL o'clock. JOS
eph Gent and Grover Cleveland would be
equally matched in a foOt-race. Chief
Justice Odds of the supreme court then
administered the usual oath of office to
the ninety-nine members present. Later
on he performed the same service for Mr..
Gent.
The election of a speaker was then an
nOunced to be in order. Mr.. Cullop OF
Knox nominated Mason j. Niblack of
Knox, Gibson and Vanderburgh. Mr.. Lin
demuth of Wayne nominated Alexander
Hess of Wabash. Mr.. Niblack was of
course elected, by a vote of "A to %.
Mr.. Niblack and Mr.. Hess voted for
each other. Mr.. Curtis of Marion and
Mr.. Hess escorted the speaker-e ect to the
chair. Gentlemen, / have the honor
to introduce to. you, for a second time,
Mr.. Mason ]. Niblack, your speaker"
was the introduction by the secretary of
state that was received with genuine DEM
ocratic applause. Mr.. Niblack seemed to
feel at home at the Old stand. and without
hesitation or the least embarrassment. re-
sponded to the warm greeting accorded
him as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE o. REPRESENT
ATIvEs-Words can but feebly express the
gratitude / feel for the honor you have con-
ferred upon me in calling me. as you have
done, to preside over your deliberations, and |
tender to you in return q most solemn promise
to discharge the duties of the position to which
-. - III III
the zeal, fidelity and ability l can in any degree
nina
When two years ago I was made the presid-
ing officer of this house, as it was then con-
stituted, felt very keeuly my inexperience in
the administration OF parliamentary law and L
entered upon the duties then devolving upon
me with much difidence and with serious mis-
g%ivings as to my ability to meet the many and
varied responsibilities incident to the position.
Whatever of success / may have achieved on
that occasion, il, indeed, / achieved any worthy
Of note, was largely due TO the support and CO.
operation l received from my fellow members
of that house. / then had the opportunity OF
realizing more than ever before how necessary
it is that a speaker shall have the confidence OF
as well as pleasant relations with the body
over which he presides. Without these the
ofoe confers but an empty honor.
While l take up the gavel which you have
placed in my hands With, perhaps, less Diff
dence than / did before, / nevertheless, gen.
tlemen, most earnestly invoke your kind sup
port and cooperation in all proper efforts to
promote order and decorum. and to expedite
the business for which We are here assembled.
Further than this. gentlemen, / will from time
10 time Grave you indulgence for the many mis-
takes / shall doubtless make in the attempted
discharge OF my manifold duties.
Expressing to you also, gentlemen, my fer
vent wish that all we may do here shall be for
the best interests OF our beloved state, and in
every way promotive of the public good. l an
nounce my readiness to take the oath which
the law requires of me before proceeding with
the work before us.
After Chief Justice Olds had admins
tered the oath of office 10 the speaker,
Thomas J. Newkirk of Rush, Charles f..
Crawley of Sullivan, and Frank ID. Hahn
baugh of Miami were elected principal
clerk, assistant clerk and doOrkeeper re-
spectively. The house was then organ
lied and ready for business. The gov
ernor and the senate were so informed
through two committees appointed for the
purpose. Mr.. Curtis and Mr.. Clsypool
notified the governor, and Mr.. Patton and
Mr.. Morris performed the same duty in the
senate. The republican votes for officers of
the house were cast for Wilber K. Steven
son of Tippecanoe, for principal clerk,
Benjamin III. Ney of Jefferson for assistant
clerk, and John Childs Of Decatur for