The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-09
Throughout the Reading Members of
Both Houses Give Close Atten-
tiOn to His Words.
BOTH BRANCHES ORGANIZE
THE CAUCUS STATES GO THROUGH
WITHOUT CHANGE.
Lieutenant Governor Gilbert An
nOunces His Committees-Lcefs-
Iative Sidelights.

The wheels of the Sixty-third General
Assembly of Indiana were set i'm motion at
10 o'clock yesterday under suspicious con-
ditions. All of the representatives were
present and all the senator's except one.
and the organization of both bodies was
effected expeditiously and with decorum.
Lieutenant Governor Gilbert called the
Senate to order. while the secretary OF
state. Union b. Hunt. performed this Office
for the House. In the Senate the invoca-
ton was offered by the Rev. j. Cumming
Smith. pastor of the Tabernacle Church. OF
this city; in the House the Rev. Ii. ]. Nor
ris. of the Methodist Church of Winchester.
delivered the opening prayer. Chief Justice
j. V. Hadley, of Danville, Of the Supreme
Court of Indiana, administered the oath of
office to the new senators and Judge w. j.
Henley, of Rushville, of the Appellate
Court, administered the oath in the House.
The organization OF the two houses was
completed by the election of the officers
selected at the majority caucuses Wednes-
day night, and then the Senate met with
the House in joint session in the hall OF
representatives to receive the Governors
message. Lieutenant Governor Gilbert pre-
sided over the joint session and he desig-
mated Senators Goodwine and Fortune and
Representatives Cantwell, Owen and Adair
as the committee to escort the Governor to
the hall
Governor Durhin read his own message.
in the absence OF his private secretary.
Charles +. Wilson. and he was accorded
the closest attention of the senators and
representatives The reading was frequent-
ly interrupted by applause, and at the close
he was given a demonstration in which the
Democrats joined heartily with their Re-
publican associates
Both houses organized by the election OF
the Republican states and while the Demo-
Gratis presented their candidates IL was
only as matter of form as they were out
numbered two to one on a straight party
vote In the Senate Frederick /. Matson,
indianapolis, was chosen president pro TEN.
over James W. Fortune Jeffersonville, the
minority candidate. Harmon L. Hutson
was elected secretary, Fred Snyder assist
ant, and Clemar Pelzer doorkeeper. When
the oaths were administered James NJ.
Singer, of Versailles, was sworn In and
nothing was done to indicate whether for
mer Senator w. a. Guthrie will make a
contest for the seat. The contest may be
instituted at any time. however.
In the House Representative Henry w.
Marshall, Lafayette. was elected speaker
his name being placed in nomination by
Representative Statesman and the second
ing speech being made by Representative
Luhring. Representative l.. Ert Slack,
Franklin, received the complimentary
vote of the minority w p Rea-
gan, Indianapolis. was elected principal
clerk; @. ID. Helman. Evansville. assistant,
and G.. F. Ogden, Wabash. principal door,
keeper
The business transacted i'm each house
was merely preliminary to real business
The Senate adopted the report of the COM
mittee on rules and Lieutenant Governor
Gilbert announced his committee assign
ments. The House adopted the old rules
temporarily and named committee 10 pre-
pare new ones. Speaker Marshall did not
announce his committees.
The Senate adjourned to meet at 10
o'clock this forenoon. while the House will
meet at 1890 o'clock.
There were the usual crowds of State
officials, former members and friends and
relatives of the Members present for the
opening in each house. The galleries were
| we'll filled and the floor space outside the
ratings was crowded in both the Senate
and House.