The Jersey City news., 1892-01-13
WHEELS co ROUND.
Scenes at the Opening of
the Legislature at
Trenton.
THE NEW ASSEMBLY CHAMBER.
Congratulations and Compli-
ments in Which Repub-
lieans Join
HE NEW ASSEMBLY CHAMBER.
Practical Law.Making Begun
Jersey City Tax Appeals.
Specialize the Jersey city Netes.

t1on OF the new Assembly Chamber,
which is occupied by the Hudson men,
bers, which, it might be added by way OF
parenthesis. is directly opposite the
Ladies' Gallery. looked like a bower oil
roses yesterday afternoon when Thomas
F. Noonan, CLERK of the last House
called the one hundred and sixteenth
Legislature of New Jersey to order. On
every desk was a huge floral horseshoe,
the gift OF the O'Neill Association. Even
little Herb Potts was not forgotten. and
he received horseshoe which cnmplere-
1y hid him from view. Some of the mem
bers Jared better than others. Mr.. Coyle
received three pieces:-a horseshoe from
the O'Neillss, large bank of roses sur
mounted by spread eagle from
the Coyle Association of Hobokeu.
and bank of roses from the Judiciary
Committee of the Board of Freeholders.
Mr.. Tahen received large floral horse
shoe from the Cornelius j. Tahen Asso-
citation. Mr.. O'Eaill's tribute from the
was horseshoe, surmounted by flag
decked banner bearing the legend, sour
Banner"
Tommy Lane received horseshoe from
admirers in Summit, and John r. Har-
din. the young Essex Democrat who will
leaG the majority of the House. was given
floral ladder, labelled "The Leader OF
the House." There were many who
thought that this was a giving away OF
Mr.. Hardin's aspirations.
u THE OPENING SCENE.
When Mr.. Noonan reared his classic
brow above the magnifcently carved
Clerks desk, every available inch of
stsnding and sitting room in the new
chamber was occupi ed. The broad lob
bies and the door leading to the rooms
back of the Speakers dias were thronged .
Bevies of fair women sat in the Ladies'
Gallery and beamed down upon the Hud.
son members. The appearance of Mr..
quiet. and then in his most impressive
tones he said:-
"The time fixed bv the Constitution for
the meeting of the Legislature having ar
rived, aud the members of the Assembly
being present, this body will please come
to order"
The roll was then called and to the Rev
Father B. Henry Ter Woert of St. Johns
Roman Catholic Church, Jersey City. be-
longed the honor of delivery the dedica-
tory prayer. He made an eloquent and
impressive invocation.
John w. Beekman, Of Middlesex,
swore in Ford d. Smith. of Morris, and
Mr.. Smith administered the oath to the
other members The election of Speaker
then ensued. Mr.. Hardin nominated
James J. Bergen. of Somerset. and Mr..
Potts nominated George w. Ketcham, of
Essex; Mr.. Bergen received forty votes
and Mr.. Ketchem received eighteen. Mr..
Bergen was then declared elected and
escorted to the chair by Messrs. Ketcham
and Moylan.
THE SPEAKERS INAUGURALs
In taking the chair Mr.. Bergen Snfd:--
1.-The harmonious action of the majority
in again calling me to this position of
honor aud trust and the kindly feeling.
personally expressed by nearly all, IL not
all, of the minority, juStif1es a modest
pride on my part, and sanctions me in in
terpreting it as an approval OF my official
course during the last session. We have
been chosen to represent the people in the
popular branch of the lawmakinR power,
and meet as their public servants, to be
held responsible by them for the manner
in which we perform our official duties: my
earnest hope Is that the confidence bestow
ed in our selection may be sustained, and
the public trust reposed in us justified.
1t is proper that the principles of the ma
jority should be impressed upon legisla-
tion, for that is but carrying out the will
of the people; the majority should, how
ever, remember that they do not repre-
sent Il unanimous people-a minority have
their representatives here who are en-
titled to be heard, and to have their views
fairly considered, and l promise, as the
presiding officer, on behalf of the major
ity that all merited courtesy shall be ex-
tended to aud ample opportunity afforded
the minority to fairly and properly pre-
sent and advocate their side of all public
questions coming before us for considera-
ton. Upon all public questions we
should endeavor to act to-
ge her for the public good, enacting
such lawsssas tend to elevate the morals
of and provide for the future welfare of
this sturdy and prosperous little common
i,,x yt1x.r laf,1
ever strive to do right, and setting our
face against all unjust. corrupt and de-
basng legislation, enter upon the session
OF 1892 with the determination to make
record void of offense, and UNSURPASSED
by any for purity and uprightness. With
sincere thanks for this continued mani
festation of your confidence and esteem.
am now ready to proceed with the busi-
ness before us".
A CLEAN SLATE.
The Speakers address was received
with applause. and then the other officers
of the House were elected as agreed upon
in caucus. as published III The JERSEY
CITY NEWS yesterday. Messrs. 4. d.
Smith, }. Carroll and Potts were ap-
poipted committee to wait upon the
Governor ard inform him tnat the House
had organized and was ready 10 proceed
10 business. The committee soon re-
turned with a communication from His
tothe emily the new chamber. The
Governor spoke of the good work which
had been done by all who took part in its
building. and spoke warmly of the archi-
tect and contractor.
A MINORITY COURTESY.
Mr.. Potts then offered this resolution
Resolved. That the General Assembly of the
State of New Jersey in accepting this, our new
Assembly chamber congratulates those having
the re- build ng in charge. and expresses sits gr at
satisfaction IN the comforts given us, and par
tiluIarly thanks the Hon. Leon Albeit, Cover
nor: Hons. James Moylan archit ect; James w.
I tanning contractor Bernard j. Ford Supelln-
tendent and the persons employed thereon; for
their skill thoroughness and energy displayed
IN completing it in time for this, the opening
day OF the session.
In moving the resolution MIR. Potts
said.-"l hose of us who have sat in the
Old chamber can appreciate The comforts
and beauty of this building. l sincerely
,ffer this resolution in good faith, because
Know what an Improvement 1T IS over
he old chamber. think we should par
Icularly thank my colleague. MIR. Moy-
an. for the comforts and beauty OF this
,uiiding; anyone looking around him
an see tnat he came from Hudson, where
buildings of this nature abound.
Mr.. Potts. tribute to Hudson was