Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-07

Thomas O. Moore of Kent. Then a
motion was made that Mr.. Riggin be
chosen by aoclamation, which motion
prevailed, although the Republicans
again voted mo.
Speaker Riggin was then sworn in
ON the old Latin Bible by Speaker pro
tenn Dickey.
When the clerk was ordered 10 pre-.
pare the roll Of members, DIR. Marshall
asked who made the roll. The clerk
(Mr. Spicer) replied that he was about
to prepare IT.. DR.. Marshall retorted
that it was the duty of the clerk of the
last House, but the Speaker ruled
that such proceeding was only an
established precedent and need not be
followed. The Republican county
chairman was irrepressible, however,
and demanded that the members
should all present certificates, at tine
same time handing 10 the clerk she
certificates Of the Kent county Repub-
licans. Mr.. Spicer refused TO accept
the certificates, and the doctor then
rendered them to Speaker Riggin. who
also refused.
DIR. Conwell, one of the Republicans
who was fortunate enough to occupy
chair, addressed the House and an
nounced in behalf of Robert II. Wilson
(who is ill) that the latter would not
accept seat 10 the House, believing
that he was not elected. No attention
was paid to DR.. Conwoll, and the
Speaker proceeded to swear in the
members. though DIR. Marshall pro-
tested on the ground that they had not
the proper certificates. Tine Speaker
declared that the certificates were all
- 10 - Il
the certificates of the Kent county Re-
publicans and they we're again rejected.
After informing the House that he
did not desire to impede the progress
of the proceedings, and that he and
his friends believed they were aetna
in strict accordance with law. the
uoctor said that tue delegation would
Withdraw. Before doing SO, however,
Mr.. Conwell read the following:
Dover, Jan. s, 1897. We. the under
signed members Of the House OF Repre-
sentatives, respectfully protest against
the manner in which said House of
Representatives in the General Assem-
bly, of the State OF Delaware is
organized.
Luther S. Conwell,
George u. Herring,
q. W. Marshall.
Thomas Z. Moore,
M. E. Downes,
j. B. Simmons,
William III. Moore.
Edgar T. Hastings, clerk of the last
| House, then approached the Speaker
and said that although the House had
refused to allow him the scant courtesy
| of calling the body to order, he would
| ahnu NH m NJ 10, ha
| new incumbent the keys to the clerk 8
desk. The delegation then retired.
Speaker Riggin then made few re-
marks thanking the members for tine
honor conferred upon him and
promising to perform the duties in
cumbent upon him to the best of his
ability.
| On motion of Representative John
I. Dickey the House proceeded to
ballot for clerk. Messrs. Smith and
Donaldson were named as tellers, after
George W. Spicer had been nominated.
| The latter received all the votes cast
9-Representative Ellison not voting
and Representative Wilson being abb
sent.
The clerk was then sworn in by the
Speaker
The other officers elected were
Sergeant-at Arms, W. b. Hazel
Reading Clerk, G. W. Kern. When
it came to the selection of reading
clerk, and after Representative Donald
son had made the motion TO go into an
election, the Speaker suggested that
action be postponed until they could
consult with the Senate regarding the
matter. After some discussion Mr..
Donaldson was prevailed upon to with
draw his motion for the time being.
Rev. II. G. Vincent was then elected
chaplain and committee consisting OF
Messrs. Smith, Davis and Dempsey
appointed to notify him OF his election.
Clarence NJ. Colt Of Dover, was chosen
page.
Speaker Riggin then announced that
he had petition in the case Of Wood
man W. Cheairs vs.. John 7. Dickey,
which he directed the clerk to read.
The petition charges that Dickey's
vote had been changed so as to increase
| it, whils Cheairs' had been decreased,
as specified bellows:
In the Third district Of the First
ward the actual votes received by
Dickey was 1874, counted 1874; Cheairs
received 124, counted ia. Fourth dis
trict. Second ward-Dickey received
81, counted 81; Cheeirs Of, counted &c.
/ Fifth district, Second ward-Dickey
received Isl, counted 100; Cheairs re-
ceived l60, counted 1870. Second dis
trict, Third ward-Dickey received 1879,
counted 199; Chnairs received 1888.
counted l78. Third district, Third
ward-Dickey received LOG. counted
liz. Fifth district. Fourth ward
Dicley received 200, counted 2OS
Fourth district, Sixth ward--Dickey
received "a, counted l07; Cheairs re-
ceived "a, counted 81. Second district,
Seventh ward--Dickey received Go,
counted So; Cheairs received 65,
counted 45. First district, Eighth
ward--Dickey received 1l3, counted
49, Fourth district. Eighth ward
Dichey received a. counted "a (;
Chsairs received IS, counted 70. Sixth
district, Eighth ward-.Dickey received
81. counted 10: Cheairs received Sc,
counted SO. Third district, Tenth ward
-Dickey received 1876, counted 261
Cheairs received 19l, counted 1856
On motion of Mr.. Donaldson the
petition was received, filed and referred
to the committee oil ontested elections,
when such committee disappointed.
Representative Hazel OF snt, then
introduced resolution providing for
the appointment of II special committee
to inquire into the merits of the case
and report the result 10 the House.
Mr.. Short said he did not think
they SHOULD have a special committee.