The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-04
LEGISLATURE GETS
SMOOTHLY STARTED
FARR ELECTED SPEAKER BY
THE FULL PARTY VOTE.
Resolutions Passed by Both Senate
and House Agreeing to Adjourn
Not Later Than April 2o-Scenes
and Incidents Of the Opening
Session.

ana lncluenVS OF Jne OpenluB
Session.
Harrisburg, Jan. S.--There were the
usual scenes and incidents at the open
ing session today of the house of rep
resentatlves. There was added inter-
est owing to the occupancy of the
new capitol. The chamber occupied by
the legislators Of the lower branch of
the assembly was a surprise for most
of the members. They expected to
meet in a barn-like and uncomfortable
hall, without furnishings save those
of the plainest description, but instead
the spacious hall is not only attractive,
but comfortable. The decorations are
not costly, but they hide the bare walls
and conceal the temporary finish of the
big room.
a liberal use of burlap, with tempor-
ary panels and pilasters, and gilt dec
orations with shields and flags, gave
cheerful. if not magnificent, aspect to
all the surroundings. The desks of
many members were hidden by beauti-
full floral pieces, the gifts OF admiring
constituents. There were great floral
baskets and magnificent horseshoes
and all manner of flowers and the re-
cipients of these tokens of esteem sat
behind them out of sight. The CALLER
les were crowded throughout the pro-
ceedings and there was a great interest
in all that occurred.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The house was called to order shortly
after u o'clock by Chief Clerk Rex.
Secretary of the Commonwealth David
Martin was introduced after prayer by
Chaplain Sangree, and presented the
certificates of election of the members.
The list was read and the roll called,
after which the members presented
themselves at the bar and were sworn
in by Judge I5iddle. of Carlisle. John
r. Farr, of Lackawanna, was nominat-
ed for speaker by William T. Marshall,
of Allegheny, and William T. Greasy,
of Columbia, by George r. Dixon, OF
Elk.
Mr.. Farr was elected by the full Re-
publican vote of 127 and escorted to
the chair by Messrs. Bliss, of Delaware;
Hosack, of Allegheny, and Mr.. Greasy.
Owing to the absence of a judge to
swear in the speaker a recess was
taken until Judge Simonton, of Harris
burg, could be summoned. Mr.. Farr
made a brief address of thanks, in
which he promised to be fair and cour-
teous in his treatment of the members.
Jere B. Rex, OF Huntingdon, was re-
elected chief clerk and A. ID. Fetterolf,
of Montgomery, resident clerk Henry
| HUM, OF Philadelphia, was reap
pointed speakers clerk. The other Off
GERS and employees will not be an
nounced before next week.
TO ADJOURN APRIL 20.
Committees We're appointed to notify
| the senate that the house is ready to
| proceed to business to wait on the
| governor and to formulate rules for
| the government of the house. A reso-
| luton was also adopted providing for
| the concurrence by the house in the
| arrangements for the inauguration Of
| the governor The senate resolu-
tion providing for final adjournment on
April 20 was agreed to almost unani-
mOusly after a motion to refer the
| resolution to the committee on rules
| was voted down.
| A recess was taken until o'clock
| this afternoon, when the house re-as-
sembled to receive the biennial mes
sage of Governor Hastings. After the
| reading OF the message and other COM
| munications from the executive, Mr..
| Clarency, of Philadelphia, was ap-
| pointed a teller on the part of the
| house to compute the vote for COVER
nor, lieutenant governor, Superior
court judges and secretary of internal
affairs on Jan. u. The house will meet
again tomorrow morning at IL o'clock.
THE SENATE.
The opening session of the senate was
brief. Organization was effected at :
o'clock and Secretary of the ComEron-
wealth Martin appeared and presented
to the senate the returns of the recent
election for senator's. These were read
and then Judge Smonton, of the local
court, administered the oath of office
to the new senator's The next formal
ity was the election of a president pro
tenn Senator William p. Snyder, of
Chester, the choice of the Republicans,
was successful over II. A. Haines
Dem), of York, by 81 to ~ Senator
Snyder upon assuming the chair, made
and caution in the consideration of the
measures that will come before the
senate for action. He favored econom-
ical appropriations and a session of the
legislature as brief as is consistent
with the proper disposition of the pub
lie business.
These officers of the senate were
elected Chief clerk, T.. w. Smiley,
Nenango; journal clerk, John NJ Rhea,
Cumberland; reading clerk. j. 4.
Leeds, Philadelphia. sergeant -at-arms,
S. r. Cochran, Armstrong.
A resolution providing for the details
of the Inauguration Of Governor Stone
was adopted and the chair appointed
Senators Flynn, John B. Mitchell Nc.
Carrell, Osborn and Haines as the in.
augural committee
The senate reassembled at 3.15 o'clocl
from the noon recess. The governor.
private secretary was introduced anC
presented to the senate the bennia
MESA ge of the executive. The readinl
Of the document was attentively list
! ened 10.
number of recess appointments b,
| the governor We're read and ordered L
lie on the table. A joint resolution wa!
adopted providing for joint meetnl
of the senate and house on Thursday
Jan. ~, at ~ noon, for the reading o
the returns of the late election 70
state officers. The senate also adoptet
a joint resolution providing for fina
, adjournment of the legislature on Apri
20