The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-08
S. M. Gattis Elected Speaker
by a Vote of 81 to 18.
BENBOW HIS OPPONENT
Lobbes and Gallery Crowded. Practically no
Republican Opposition to The Other
Nominees Of the Democratic
Caucus.

The regular routine of the first day in
the House was duly gone through with
yesterday, and it occupied about two
hours and three quarters.
All the members of the House were on
hand. with the exception of Representa-
tive Thomas Gluyas, of Mecklenburg.
The lobbies were crowded to their ut
most capacity during the session. but no
professional lobbists" seem to have ar
rived upon the scene as yet.
The crowd yesterday mas made up of
State officials, citizens of Raleigh and out
of town visitors.
The gallery had its usual first day ap-
pearance. Many ladies. some from Raj
eigh and others wives or daughters of
members graced the occasion and lent
bright radiance to the surroundings
above the heads of the members.
Ex-Lieutenant Governor R. A. Dough
ton, of Allegheny, presided during the or
ganization of the House, and he did so
with all his old-time dignity and repose
of manner.
The event of the day. of course, was
the election of Samuel NJ. Gattis, of Or
ange, as Speaker. His opponent was
Frank B. Benbow. of Yadkin, and the
vote was 81 to 1S.
Judge Graham, of Granville, who placed
Mr.. Gattis in nomination, made charac-
teristically strong and appropriate
speech, in which he told OF his candi-
dates splendid record as a representative
of the interests Of his people and his
well known acquaintance with the meth
DDS and details of legislation.
Mr.. Gattis' nomination was seconded by
Jones Fuller, of Durham, whose brief re-
marks were to the point and eloquent.
There was spontaneous burst of ap-
plause when the new Speaker was escort
ed to the chair by George L. Morton, of
New Hanover and Frank B. Benbow, of
Yadkin, one Democratic, the other a Re-
publican candidate for Speaker.
Speaker Gattis. in very brief speech
expressing his appreciation Of the honor
bestowed upon him, said he was fully SEN
sible of the great responsibilities OF the
position and believed that he would have
the cordial assistance of the members in
discharging them properly.
The Speakers short speech was the oc-
casion of another storm of applause from
the floor. lobbies and gallery.
There was practically no Republican OPP
| position to the other nominees of the
Democratic caucus of Tuesday night
FIRST DAYS SESSION.
The House of Representatives was
called to order at noon by Chief Clerk
Brevard Nixon, who called upon Rev. Dr.
w. c. Tyree, the new pastor of the First
Baptist church. Raleigh, for the invoca-
tion.
After very earnest and appropriate
| petition for rich blessings to rest upon
the assembled representatives of the
State. and His guidance to direct their
deliberations, the clerk announced ex-
Lieutenant-Governor r. A. Doughton. of
Allegheny, as temporary presiding Off
GER.
Acting Reading Clerk Wilson was di-
rected to call the roll of members, 116
of the 120 members answered to their
names. In groups of ten, they were then
called alphabetically, and came forward
to the Speakers desk, presented their
certificates of election and took the oath
Of office, it being administered by Chief
Justice of The Supreme Court, Walter
Clark, the constitution and oath being
subscribed by each member
Representatives Goode, of Cleveland;
White, of Halifax; Carr, of Greene; l.. L.
Smith, of Gates; Moore. of Cumberland,
ard Mccall, of Davidson, not having their
certificates with them. and there being
no contest of their election, on motion
they were allowed to take and subscribe
to the oath.
At 30 all members having been prop
erly qualified, Speaker Pro TEN. Doughton
announced that the next order was the
election of 4 Speaker Of the House.
Judges Graham, of Granville, placed in
nomination Samuel NJ Gattis, OF Orange.
He presented him as in every way quail
fed to properly perform the duties OF the
office, recapitulating his honorable career
as a public servant and his familiarity
with all the machinery of legislation,
made possible by long term of service
in the House of Representatives. and
chairman of very important committees.
Mr. Jones Fuller, of Durham seconded the
nomination in brief and eloquent speech.
Mr.. Freeman, Republican, of Hender-
son, nominated Mr.. Frank Bonbow. of
Yadkin county, as one of the rising sons
of North Carolina.
The roll being called, Mr.. Gattis re-
ccived 81 votes and Mr.. Benbow Is. and
Mr.. Gattis was duly declared elected as
Speaker
Messrs. Morton. of New Hanover, and
Benbow, of Yadkin. were appointed to
conduct the Speaker elect to the chaif.
His appearance was the signal for an
outburst of applause.
After expressing his high apprecia-
tion of the honor conferred upon him, Mr..
Oft i- -a.I r. HIT; rf f1,o
position with a profound sensibility of