The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-09

lative. work and representing, to a
greater or less extent, conflicting in
terestsi
1t is fact, that no one realizes
more keenly than ourselves, that now
that our work is done, we are guilty
of acts of omission and commission
for which we will be severely criti-
cised by many of the people; but, sir,
whatever defects there may be in our
work, no matter what the result of
our labors, none can truthfully ques-
ton our integrity to the best interests
of the state, or the honesty of our
motives in what we have done, and
our mistakes must be attributed to our
inexperience in legislative matters.
This house has not been an idle body.
Its committees have worked diligently
and faithfully, early and late, and if
the work has not been done with that
despatch that men of experience might
demand and expect, let it be under
stood that caution has been the guild
ing. rule, and from the best deliberate
wisdom Of the several committees of
this house has evolved the result of
our session labors which we are about
to submit to the verdict of the people.
And now, sir, as we are about to
separate and return to our homes and
report to our constituents, | am di-
rected by the minority of this house to
say to the majority that we feel deeply
grateful for the consideration and uni
form courtesy shown to us, and 1 want
to especially thank the steering COM
mittee of the majority for courtesies
extended and assure them that they
are duly appreciated. The conduct of
all the members of this assembly has
demonstrated that the purpose under
lying all their acts has been to accom-
pliSh the most good possible accord
ing to their judgment, and what mis-
takes they have made have been of
the head and not the heart We, on
this side of the house, trust that the
friendships that have grown up here
will be everlasting, and no matter
where we meet or how we may differ
upon political principles it is our fond
hope that nothing will be permitted to
sever the ties of affection that have
grown up between the members dur
ing this session.
I'm behalf of the Democratic mem
bers l thank the committee clerks and
others employees of the house for the
able, prompt and COURTEOUS manner in
which they have discharged their
onerous duties and I assure them that
it is appreciated
And the chief clerk of this house.
sir, is entitled to our gratitude to an
extent beyond any expression l am
able to give. 1t would be impossible
for his trying duties to have been
better performed. From the first time
we have heard his musical voice in this
room, up to this hour, he has not fall
tered and has been prompt to the
minute, and always the same cour-
teous gentleman; and / bespeak for
him for all time to come the high es
TEEN and full confidence of every mem
Der of this assembly.
And now, Mr.. Speaker, I desire to
address myself to you personally. You
were called to your high position by
an overwhelming majority of this
house. You assumed the chair with
the fact before you that you were to
preside over the deliberations of
body of men inexperienced in parlia-
mentary law ard legislative procedure,
and you yourself with but limited ex-
perence in that direction; and the mi
nority of this house take this occasion
to and for them ! do express our graft
tude to you for the liberal considera-
ton we have received from you. That
you have erred at times in your rul-
ings, you yourself know; but this we
want to say-y0ur mistakes have al
ways been on the side of liberality, as
the result of your desire to see all ques-
tons before the house fully discussed
and every member protected in his
rights, either technical or moral.
And now, sir, as a substantial evil
dence of our appreciation of your fair
ness toward us, 1 am directed by the
Democratic members of this house to
present to you, with their best wishes
for your future welfare. this cane
presenting it) and to, express to you
the hope that as time rolls on and
the memories of our association here
grow brighter and you grow older, you
lit 81
Der that you have the good will and
best wishes of the Democrats in the
house of the first legislature of the
state of Utah.
No one had any idea of what was
coming, but thought that while Mr..
Smoot was speaking with so much
feeling and eloquence, that he was
tossing the bon mots customarily in
dulged in at the close of legislative
sessions, until almost with his last SEN
tence Mr.. Andrus drew from beneath
his desk a magnificent gold-headed
cane. Mr.. Smoot, taking it, placed it
in the hand of Mr.. Denny.
The faces of the gentlemen of the
majority were blank with amazement,
and Speaker Denny was more sur
prised than anyone, but recovered his
equanin1ity to reply with ready
tongue.
81 helped last fall to down a Demo-
cratic Game John To, but this Demo-
cratic cane l shall always endeavor to
support" He then thanked the gen.
tlemen profusely for the gift.
The cane is an ebony stick, mounted
by a beautiful gold head, upon which
is inscribed: presented to Presley
Denny, speaker of the house of repre-
sentatives of the first legislature of
the state of Utah, 1896" In another
place is inscribed by the Demo-
cratic members"
Consent was asked for and granted
to make certain changes in the coun-
ties and appropria bills to make
them conform to suggestions of the
governor, after which "sauntering"
was in order again until o'clock
PERSISTENCE SUCCEEDS.
The members had assembled again
at o'clock. AS soon as called to order
Mr.. Nye moved that the clerk be in
structed to communicate with the SEN
ate and ask if the upper house had
anything further to offer.
Mr.. Harris objected. There is"
said he, "a bill pending on third read
ing which should be disposed of one
way or another. A good deal of fun
has been had over this measure, but
consider it an important measure, and
think it is time to consider it seriously
l ask that the bill be taken up on
third reading" He referred to S. B.
No. 122 which provides that warrants
not paid for lack of funds shall draw
per cent interest from time of pre-
sentation.
Mr.. Nye suggested the gentleman be