The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-10-06
MERRIFIELD CHOSEN SPEAKER.
The House Chooses Its Scribe and Sky
Pilot. Resolutions, Incidents and
Formal Proceedings.

The 12Sth session of the Vermont
Legislature began at 10 O'Clock this
forenoon.
Lieut.. Gov. Stanton, president OF
the Senate, called that body to order
and prayer was offered by Rev. W. B.
Dukeshire, pastor of Trinity church,
Montpelier. Secretary Farnsworth
called the roll of Senators and admin
lstered the oath of Office. Walter K.
Farnsworth Of Rutland, secretary OF
the Senate of 1902 was elected, on
the nomination of Senator Carpenter
of Rutland, and the president admin
istered the oath. Senator Prouty of,
Orleans was nominated president pro
tenn and unanimously chosen. The
further formal proceedings appear in
the official report below.
In the House Of Representatives
Frederick G.. Fleetwood, secretary of
State, organized the larger branch of the
General Assembly in the usual form,
after prayer by Rev. Q. O. st. Clair.
c. @. Fits of Brattleboro, in clean
cut speech, nominated John H, Mer-
rifield, of Newfane, for the Office OF
Speaker. He spoke of the necessity
for trained and tried presiding Off
Ger to preside over this legislative
body, and referred to his candidate as
fair, impartial man, who had served
his apprentices as assistant clerk,
and Clerk as Speaker of the House.
Fletcher d. Proctor of Proctor made a
felicitous speech IN indorsing Hon
est john"
Mr.. Dartt of Springfield, Mr.. Lewis
of Troy, aud Mr.. Newton of Reading,
further seconded the nomination OF
Mr.. Merrifeld. The Democratic con-
tingent put .up G. H. Pape of Barre.
AS was predicted, the man from New
fame had no opponent in his own
party.
MORNING.
Wednesday, Oct. 3.
The proceedings of the Senate, fol-
lowing the organization, were as fol-
lows:
Chaplain-Senator Prouty of Orleans
nominated M. W. Farman of Westfield
Senator Fletcher of Windsor nominal
ed Rev. r. S. Yerkes of White River
junction. A ballot gave Mr.. Farmau
Is votes, Mr.. Yerkes, IL, and Mr..
Farman was declared elected.
Resolutions The following resolu.
tious were introduced and adopted:
BY Senator Lord, that rules of 1905
govern the Senate until adoption OF
others; by Senator Rowland, that the
secretary notify the House of the
organization of the Senate; by Sen
ator Slack, that committee be SEM
to inform the Governor of the organ
ization of the Senate; Senators SLACK
and Stearns appointed. Joint resolu'
tons, by Senator Burditt, that joint
rules of 1902 govern joint sessions un
til other rules are adopted; by Sen
ator Lord, that committee of one
O6udtOI lAOiu 0dSu OOUhpJ 10 dPPOihoON
to Nominate standing committees
Committee is as follows: Senators
Lawrence Fowler. Slack Ishsm
Holbrook, Hawley, Fullington, Dickey,
Skinner, Burditt, Lord, Pierce, Fletch
er.
The President announced the follow
ing nominations, which were con
firmed: Members of joint committed
to canvass votes for State officers
James, Mattison. Simpson, Ackley
Holbrook, Parker, Robinson. Fulling
ton, Baldwin, Prouty, Carpenter
Eaton, Ware. Taylor. Members of th'
joint committee to canvass votes 70
county and probate officers and jus
tices of the peace: James, Mattison
Simpson, Stevens, Holbrook, Parker
Robinson, Fullington. Baldwin. Skin
ner. Buxton. Wells. Pierce. Fish.
Newspapers. Joint resolution tina
the secretary OF the Senate and clerl
of the House be empowered to procur,
two daily papers and one weekly pape
for each member of the Legislator
and to pay for the same. Adopted.
On motion of Senator Pierce, tn
Senate adjourned at II :05.
-. The several nominations being mad