The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-01-17

ue nunureu ana fourteen
pages. After calling atten-
the general prosperity Of the
and its rapid development the
few years. the Governor makes
ngslist Of ree6nmendatio
ng which ;are revisiSns OF the
tax laws to make them more per
aboiishment of; State taxes en-
fezy. the creation -of . railroad
goT mission. with power to TX
Fright rates and passenger fares. a
rporation commission with rail-
bads probably included and other
matters of special State Importance.
The message was not read, but
printed copies were handed all the
members of the legislature.
House is Organized.
French Hays, of Gi1mer, presided
over the house; when It convened for
organization Mr.. Seaman was
named by staunton and John A.
Preston, of Greenbrier, by wetzel.
for the speakership. Cooper, of
Wood, seconded. For Clerk. Ton
ping. Republican. of Kanawha. and
John Capello. of Summers, Demo-
crat, were named. Sergeant at
Arms. H. N. worden. of Tucker. Re-
publican. and H. w. Starcher. of
Calhoun; Democrat, were, nominated.
For door keeper, William Edmunds.
OF Wood, was named by Cooper. and
B. F. Monler. of Jefferson, Demo-
crat. All received the party vote.
Republican sixty. Democrat 25. The
committee was appointed to notify
the senate that the house had been
organized.
The floor of the senate chamber
and gallery were crowded with In
terested spectators when Clerk John
7. Harris raped for order. and de-
clared that under the law, the oldest
member in point of service. Senator
n. F. Kidd. of Gilmer county. would
preside pending the process of eff
fecting an organization.
Thorn dominates McDermott.
A-message from the Secretary OF
State was received and read to the
senate by Clerk Harris. The meg
sage was record of the recent cleo
ton as to the vote for members Of
the senate and a roll of those en-
titled to seats. A roll call then fol-
lowed, showing every one of the
twenty-nine members present.
Senator Thorn. of Harrison nom
mated Hon. Joseph McDermott for
president. He said:
This occasion is an auspicIous
one. We are in the formation per-
iod of West Virginia and the hour
demands the selection of presiding
officer who will rule with fairnes
end equity in all cases. therefore
take great pleasure in naming gen.
tleman on behalf of the Republican
members. Hon. Joseph H. McDer-
mott. of Monongalia county"
Senator Adam B. Littlepage. OF
Kanawha. presented the name of
Hon. jake Fisher. of Rraxton coun-
ty. The two candidates received
their party support except Senator
Fisher cast his vote for Senator Nc
Dermott, and Senator McDermott
returned the compliment.
Escorted to Seat.
Senators Thorn and Fisher escort
ed President McDermott to the chair.
The appearance of the newly elected
president was the signal for pro-
ldnged applause.
President McDermott responded as
follows:
gentlemen of the Senate of
West Virginia: assuming the
duties of this most honorable and
responsible position. I take this oc-
casion to say that / am deeply grate-
~ to all of my friends for their
IYal support, but am not un-
mindful of the fact that in the ses-
stBus now to follow. I must be the
presiding officer of the entire body.
and that my conduct must be meas
ured with that degree of fairness to
which each and every one OF you
are entitled.
81 shall strive earnestly to be
fair and Impartial In all my rulings,
,sa4ue he material interests Of the
state foremost. and in this deter,
mination I ask and shall confidently
expect the hearty cooperation ant
support Of the entire membership
Of this body.
The senate will now proceed witt
the transaction of business"
Election Of Others.
Senator Gartlan. of Wood. named
John n. Harris. for clerk. Senator
Fisher seconded the nomination
senator Hatfield, of Richie, second
81 the nomination for Republicans
Sdd III. Harris was elected by &C