Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-12
GETT|N' DOWN TO BUSINESS
The Legislature is Permanently
Organized.
GOVERNOR OATES MESSAGE
A Very Lengthy Document Is Laid Before the.
House.
THE SENATORSHlP IS STILL IN DOUBT
And All of the Candidates Are Hanging on
with an Iron Grip-Hon. w. w.
Brandon's Valiant
Fight.
GOVERNOR OATES MESSAGE
THE sENAT0RsHlP IS STILL IN DOUBT

Montgomery Ala, Nov 11.-(Staff Cor
respondence )-Now, that the speaker of
the house and president of the senate and
other officers of the two houses have
been chosen, the political fever, which
marked the opening of this session of
the legislature has, in a measure, abated.
Things around the capitol are beginning
to assume a normal appearance, and the
members are ready for the arduous du-
ties before them. Down town, however,
about the popular lobbies and corridors,
there are still gatherings of the clans, dis
cusing and wire-pulling over the sena-
torship. 1t is next to impossible to es-
innate the true strength of the respective
candidates, and it is very probable that
no one will be able to size up the situa-
tion before the day of election, which
falls ON Tuesday the oath. Each candi-
date and his friends seem to be sanguine
and 1T is at least safe to say the senatorial
situation is complicated and at this time
it Is impossible to predict the result with
any degree of certainty.
Hon. w. w. Brandon, tbs gallant young
representative from Tuscaloosa, has been
often and heartily congratulated today
by his scores of friends on the magnifi-
cent fight he made for his colleague, Hon.
N N. Clements, for speaker of the house.
There Is no question about the fact that
the new speakers success was, in great
measure, due tOthe dilligent and effective
efforts of Mr.. Brandon. There is not a
member of the house whose career will
be watched with more interest by great
number of friends than that of w. W.
Brandon, and it is believed that they will
not be disappointed.
IN THE HOUSE
The lower house of the legislature con-
at or in r.
suance to adjournment on yesterday, ana
the session was opened with prayer by
the Rev. DIR. Davis, of this city.
Hon. Thomas H. Clarke presided until
permanent organization was affected by
ratification of the nomination OF Mr..
Clements.
The oath of office was administered to
the newly elected speaker by Chief JUS
aice Brickell, of the supreme court, in that
venerable gentlemans very impressive
manner.
After pledging himself to the constitu-
tion of Alabama and the United States
and fidelity to the discharge of his duties,
Mr.. Clements addressed the assembly in
q few remarks; thanking them for the
honor they had conferred and warning
them of the seriously important duties to
be discharged by that body during the
present session.
Ratification of all other democratic
nomination by last nights caucus was
then proceeded to and the populists and
republicans voted for their respective
candidates throughout, but, of course,
were defeated in each instance by hope
less majorities. Opposition to democracy
in the present assembly reminds one OF
the Palmer Buckner support, now far
cical relic of departed struggles.
After all the officers had been elected
and sworn in by Speaker Clements
resolution was introduced recommending
the appointment Of door keeper for the
gallery of the house at salary of 50 per
day. The resolution was referred, upon
motion, to the committee on rules. Sew
eral minor resolutions necessary to or
ganizing, were introduced and appropri-
ately referred. resolution rendering
thanks to Hon. Thomas H. Clarke for the
able and impartial manner in which he
presided during temporary organization
was adopted.
A toint resolution was passed appoint
ing two members from each house
to wait upon the Governor and
notify him that permanent organi-
cation had been effected. This
eommitte was composed OF Hons. walker
and Abercrombie, of the senate, and
Hons. Cecil Brown and Sheldon. of the
house. The committee was absent for
about thirtymfnutes. when they returned
with the Governors message. A motion
by Mr. Davis, of Marion. purporting that
the message should be read to the house
to have 1,000 copies printed and suff1-
cier1t number distributed among the men,
bers prevailed.
The house then adjourned until 10
o. o'elock tomorrow.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Gov.-Elect Joseph F. Johnston and his
son. Edward Johnston arrived In the city
last night and registered at the Ex-
change. The Governor-to-be was sur
rounded by his ardent friends and ad-
,,oirers during last night and this morn
ing. He is in good health and fine spir-
its, condition which characterizes the
most popular leader of Alabama democ-
racy. He returned to Birmingham this
afternoon at o'clock. No special Sig
nificance is attached to his visit here
today.
IN THE SENATE. tf
The senate convened at 10 o'clock this
morning and went Immediately to work
ratifying the nominations Of yesterdays
caucus. Of course President Pettus pre-
sided until President Sayre was elected to