The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-01-13
mission would be raised to $1,000.
The House Organized.


Columbia, Jam. 10.-The house OF
representatives of South Carolina met
today at noon. It promises to be a
harmonious and business-llke session
of the popular branch of lawmakers.
The most distinctive feature of the
session today was the inspiring and
eloquent address of Mr.. M. L. Smith,
of Kershaw county, in expressing his
appreciation of the high honor con-
ferred on him in his selection as
speaker.
The greater portion of the day was
spent in the organization of the house.
There is a great deal of detail in per-
fecting such an organization as the
house, but when the start is correctly
made the. machinery runs smoothly.
First the 124 members have to be
sworn into Office, then each signs the
roll of members; then "a speaker has
to be selected; then clerk and so on,
until there is the drawing for seats.
The minutest detail was carried out
today. Under the constitution all elec-
tons must be viva voce and each
member must go on record as to how
he votes. There can be no moving to
suspend the constitution and let the
speaker or some one else cast the
vote. All elections must be wide
open," SO to speak, and the roll cali,
the recording of each individual vote
and the announcements all consume
time, but there are times when this
method of voting has it's virtues, and
time is not a consideration.
Much might be written about the
personnel of the members, but the
aw-making body of this State is, in a
word, representative Of the best type
of citizenship Of South Carolina. Good
and honest men have come here to
serve the best interests of their people.
There are old and young men in the
body, doctors, lawyers, bankers, mer-
chants, but more than all others are
the farmers--the substantial and
prospering la1ld-owning class of the
State.
Smiths Election Unanimous.
Mr.. stevenson, of Chesterfield, an
other former speaker, had the honor
of nominating Mr.. NJ. L. Smith, who
was unanimously elected.
There are three former speakers
who are members Of the house, all OF
who6 have worn the robe Of the
speaker within the past fifteen years.
Another noteworthy fact is that
there is no evidence or known i'll feel
ing of a personal or political nature
between any Of the members. All Of
the 124 members are Democratic, and,
Of course, are white. 1t has been
many years now since the entire mem
bership Of the house has been Dam-
ocratic and representative white men
the last Of the colored delegates
was from Beaufort county, and as late
as 1895 that county had a delegation
Of colored men in the constitutional
convention.
After Nr. Il. L. Smith had been
elected speaker the clerk Of the house
was selected There weer two high
class candidates for this position, hr.
JAMES A. Hoyt, and Mr.. J. Wilson
Gibbes, both Of Columbia. Ar. Hoyt
was clerk Of the last house and rem
dered highly efficient service. Mr..
Gihhas had been assistant clerk under
Col. Pom HameP and is a capable
man. VII. Hoyt was elected clerk, re-
ceivsag II votes. against 46 cast fo1
Ar. J. ". Gibbes.
Ar. Hoyt, who will make fine OIL
Ger, Was Immediately sworn into place
and began his new work.
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