The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-01-10
MR.. RUSSELL'S SPEECH,
His Remarks TO the House
When He Took the GaveI
as Presiding Officer.

When Hon. B. f. Russell was
sworn il last Thursday and took the
speakers chair he addressed the
house as follows:
"GENrLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES In attempting to
express to you my grateful acknowl-
edgement Of the honor you have on
ferred on me, | need not say that the
responsibility of the position presses
upon me with solemn force. Here,
within walls that have echoed TO voices
from illustrious lips silent in
death but once touched with the fire
of eloquence and moved 10y the soul of
wisdom, one might well shrink from
the position you have called upon
mo to occupy. 1 need not tell you
that it is the proudest moment Of my
life and one that could but touch
the heart and quicken the pulse of
any man on earth. To preside over
a holy Of such distinguished repre-
sentative men is an honor anyone
might well covet. But when that
body is representative Of this great
and glorious commonwealth. the
honor and responsibility is well nigh I
overwhelming. Here have presided
men whose reputation was world
wide and of whom it may be said
that though now go hence,
"On Famc's eternal camping ground.
Their nightly tents are spread.
$40 stand in their places is a
grave responsibility and one hat but
for your expected forbearance and
promised assistance l could not ven
ture to attempt.
I'VE are here, the servants of all
the people, to do their will as faith
full representatives. While each of
us was nominated as aparty candi-
date and o elected, We are now the
chosen servants of all, and have
been indicted into Office under a
oath to discharge our duties
under the constitution and by the
help of the Divine One who rules
the universe
"Let us not forget that sacred obi
but labor together as men and
patriots, that the welfare of the state
nay be advanced: that The education
# the people may be encouraged; that
economy may prevail in the conduc.
ion of public affairs that honesty and
may be advanced in all de-
'aitmeu,s Of the public service; that
he material interests Of The state NAV a.,
maintained, and that peace and ,
prosperity may sit at every tireside in ,
be land and there he constant and
guests. {
AS a party man, thu word 1 will /
is that to me this is the dawning t
# a new era in this glorious common
But if that era shall be filled
With brightness and glory is for us
o say Ivy actions, and not by words,
t we shall be governed by loyalty,
moderation and true patriotism, this
'ill indeed be the au'picious morning
f a new day, through which the sun
sht shall fall in undimmed splendor
pom our party and upon n people.
We shall only reach party success,
ornament and perpetual, as we shall
eserSe it through conservative, unit
d and patriotic action.
Gentlemen, l ask your kind in
ulgence when | shall make mistakes,
who is free from them? / in
oke your assistance in my efforts to
fairly and impartially over
our deliberations for were it not my
arrest intention to so preside |
ould never undertake this great re
possibility, and, more particularly,
invoke your aid to make of this
'ssion one that shall be celebrated
business, for prudence, for fair.
ess and for conservative delibera.
ons, that when we go hence we
nall merit that plaudit of the PEG.
lie, Swell done, good and faithful
srvants".
again, gent, men, I thank you
it'll all my heart and await your