The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-09
HOUSE PICKS TSOFFICERS Holds Caucus After Opening Session. w. L. MARTIN TO BE SPEAKER Montgomery Man is Chosen With
 out Opposition. In Session Lasting Only an Hour, Leg isIators Select Men Who wiI
 Conduct Affair. of Lower
 Body.

Democratic members of the House of Representatives to agree upon the offi- cials of that body yesterday afternoon, and to listen to a brief speech of thanks for the honor conferred from the Speaker-elect W. l.. Martin.
 The session of the caucus. which was held shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, following the enrolment of the House members and the taking of the oath of office by the Represtnta- tives. was a thoroughly harmonious one There were but two contests for positions, the assistant clerk and as- sistant doorkeeper, the latter race among four aspirants, and requiring two ballots to settle 1t. a1
 Representative Maner of Montgoni- cry, who had announced the caucus, called it to order. and called for nomi- nations for chairman. There was but a single nomination, that of J. Lee Long of Butler, who was unanimously se- lected as permanent chairman of the caucus
 Mir. Smith of Elmore and MT. Haley of Jefferson, were appointed as a com mittee to escort MT. Long to the chair, which he assumed with a brief word of thanks to his colleagues for the honor.
 Frank N Julian, Secretary of State- elect and Gen. W. W. Brandon, State AuQlIOT-GlcClt WI1O Altau OCCu dCtAf1B temporary clerical officials of the House, were named as secretaries of the caucus.
 Mir. Haley of Jefferson. at first offered q motion that cofnmittee of three on order of business be appointed by the chair but later, on the suggestion of some other members that 1t would save time, changed his motion to one that the order of business of the caucus be as follows:
 First--Nomination of Speaker.
 Second-Of clerk.
 Third-Assistant clerk.
 Fourth-Enrolling clerk.
 Fifth-Engrossing clerk.
 Sixth-Doorkeeper
 Seventh--Assistant doorkeeper.'
 Eighth-Doorkeeper to the gallery.
 This order of business was formally adopted.
 Maner Nominates Martin.
 Representative Maner of Montgomery was on his feet as soon as nominations for Speaker were called for, and in a few well-chosen words placed his col league, Hon. W. L. Martin, in nomina- tion. The nomination was greeted with applause, during which Representa- tives from two sections of the hall seconded the nomination. MT. Maner then moved that nominations be closed, and that MT. Martin be nominated by exclamation. This motion prevailed, on viva voce vote. with no dissenting voices.
 MT. Hoffman of Mobile moved the appointment of a committee of five to notify MT. Martin of his selection for Speaker of the House, and the chair named Representative Hoffman of Mo- bile, Maner of Montgomery. Smith of Elmore, Steagell of Dale and Pitts of Dallas.
 Mir. Martin was escorted to the ros- trum adjoining the Speakers seat amid applause and, in a brief speech, de- clared his purpose to give a Square deal" to all member of the House, whom he thanked for the compliment and honor they had paid him.
 "T desire to return my sincere thanks" said he, addressing the legis- lators, flor the mark of esteem and confidence you have paid me. I appre- cIate more deeply than words can ex- press, the fact that you have called me. by unanimous vote, to preside over your deliberations.
 T am sensible, too, along with tho honor conferred there is a responsibii- Ity that attaches to the position for which you have chosen me. l am sem sible of my own shortcomings. but I will say will do the very best can to preside fairly over the House, and to treat every member fairly. I aim to be the Speaker of the whole House, and not of any portion of 1t.
 Tn connection with the honor, wish to ask of each of you full meas ure of that hearty cooperation which will make the session a pleasant one, and a profitable one, and without which all my efforts would be in vain"
 Brown For Clerk.
 Mir. Goodwin, of Montgomery, nomi- mated Cyrus Brown, of Montgomery