The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-13
THE TROUBLE BEGINS
The One Hundred and
Twenty-first Legisla-
ture Organized.
STARTS OFF TAMELY
A Profusion Of Flowers and the
Usual Crowded Galleries En-
liven the Scene.
Special to the Jerseu Cstu Nsaos.

noon with the usual accompaniment OIL
crowded galleries. thronged lobbies and
flower bedecked desks. The floral dis
play this year was unusually elaborate,
and before being placed upon the desks
of the Legislators the bouquets and de-
signs were placed on the tables in the
room OF the Superintendent of the Cap
I itol, making a beautiful flower show.
Many persons visited the display and
| greatly admired The beautiful flowers.
Among them were Mrs. Griggs and Mrs.
Garret A. Hobart, who came to Trenton
to attend a dinner given by Adjutant
General Stryker.
Tne Hudson and Essex men clearly car
ried off the honors in the floral line. not
one Of them being forgotten. Some of the
pieces given to Hudson men were so
large hat they completely hid the bud
ding statesmen. The u. S. Grant Club
of G%reenville. remembered Isaac Golden
horn with an elaborate design and John
u. Macarthur could not see over the piece
which stood on his desk. Hoboken stood
nobly by Messrs. bod and Leonard, and
they had no cause to complain of the
membranes of their constituents.
Previous to the organization of the
House Mr.. Leonard was asked where his
flowers were, and he replied that he had
requested his friends to kindly omit
flowers as he did not want to be buried
until he was dead. Judging by the dis
play en- his desk after the flowers had
been placed on the desk his constituents
must have serious doubts of Mr.. Leon
ards vitality.
1t was a few minutes after three o'clock
when James Parker, Clerk Of the last
House. called the Assembly to order. Ex-
Speaker Derousse, as leader, offered the
usual resolutions, and with the exception
Of one or two excusable breaks did very
well. George w. W. Porter. one of the
new members from Essex, administered
the oath of Josnue E. Borton, of Burling-
ton, after the roll had been called, and
members. Here occurred an innovation.
Instead of coming to h Speakers desk
as their names were called to take the
oath the members all arose In their seats
and raising their right hands repeated the
solemn words after Mr.. Bontons It was
an impressive spectacle.
The election of Speaker was then taken
up. Mr.. Derousse nominated George w.
Macpherson and Mr.. Lawshe, the Demo
cratic leader, nominated Alfred L. Fluzn-
merfelt, of Warren. Mr.. Macpherson was
elected by a vote of IS to /, and upon be-
ing escorted to the chair said
1.-THE honor which you have so gener-
ously conferred upon me calls forth the
most heartfelt gratitude upon my part.
That you should, with such great unanim-
tty consider me worthy of being you pre-
siding officer, is not only an earnest Of
your confidence, but such a personal trib-
ute that ] would be indeed dull to those
finer qualities of the heart If / failed to
acknowledge or appreciate them.
Il must ever be reminded of your kind
ness. In an Assembly like this, where to
each is accorded equal rights and amibi-
tons to be the choice of ones associates
among men who by attainment and dispo-
sition are in many ways superior, inspires
the deepest sense of gratitude.
Il indulge the hope that I shah enter
upon the duties and responsibilities of the
Office with your best wishes and kiRdest
feelings.
81 take 1t that 1t is no easy matter to
successfully conduct the business of this
House. as It's presiding officer that is as
much a problem with you as with me. |
am your representative. and in proper
ton as W. work together, SO will this
office see its best results, and I shall be
able to perform its duties assigned 70
me as your advice and counsel shall aid
and you courtesy and fo~rbearance Ill
dulge me-
Il can offer you only such ability as
/ possess, hut / shall seek to be just
and impartial, asking in return your
willing and unselash cooperation to the
end thai not only shall the regular BUSH
ness Of the House be promptly and
faithfully. done, but that the work Of
the Legislature shall so far as VIE are
concerned bear the stamp of honest,
intelligence and conscientious effort for
the enactment of wise and beneficial
laws. that shal reflect the best senti-
ment Of the State, challenge the APP
prevail Of an impartial but critical con-
stitrency, satisfy the standard of our
judgment, and win the blessing Of AL
Then the House proceeded to elect a
Clerk. The Republicans named James
Parker, of Passaic. and the Democrats
9. .. Blackwell, Of Hunterdon County, Mt.
Parker was elected by a party vote. These
officers were then elected by the same
Assistant clerk-samuel $. Lyons, Nor
journal clerk-Wnliam H. Hulskamper.
Assistant Journal clerk-Gilbert ?. Mar
tin, Sussex.
increasing cierk-Lysander E. Watson,
FIRST Assistant -Engrossing C~lerk--Chas.
III. FolweIl, Burlington.
Second Assistant Engrossing Caerk--Geo.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES J, Brieden-
First Assistant sergeanf-at-Arms-Philip
Dyer, Bergen.
Taaos. Graham, Ocean.
BTl C5erh-G. Frank Sutherland, Hud-