The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-01-08

IS IN SESSION
Alter Named Speaker and Ger
berich President Of Senate.
FIVE BALLOTS IN HOUSE
Both Branches Decide Upon Having
Committees to Select Makeup of
Various Committees.

Various Committees.
Harrisburg, Pa, Jan. 8.-George =
Alter, Republican, of Allegheny coun
ty, was elected speaker of the house
of representatives, and Daniel P. Ger
berich, Republican, of Lebanon county
was elected president pro tenn. OF the
senate at the opening session OF the
state legislature.
The election OF Alter was accom-
plished only after five ballots had beer
taken, and Gerberich was chosen in
the senate on the second ballot.
In the house a committee was ap
pointed to name committees and theil
chairmen, house attaches and adopt
rules.
The senate adopted resolution
providing fc.- the appointment OF
standing committees by committee
OF six Republicans and two Democrats
Chief Clerk Garvin called the house
to order and the members took their
seats amid the most elaborate flower
display in years. Rev. DR.. M. D. Lich
letter, of the department of agricul.
ture, offered prayer and the returns OF
the election of members were present.
ed by Deputy Secretary OF the Com
monwealth William Hartzler, and
read.
Every member answered to the first
roll call, and Judge S. j. M. McCarrell,
of Dauphin county. administered the
oaths of Office.
Samuel B. Scott, of Philadelphia.
Immediately presented a resolution to
constitute the following committee on
committees: J. r. Jones, Matt, Rock
well, Shern, w. H. Wilson, Amber,
Allen, Benson, Flynn, Soulthrop and
S. 3. Scott This committee, accord
ing to the resolution, is to select com
mittees and their chairmen, house at
taches and adopt rules. All committees
are to consist OF twenty-five members,
except appropriations, which shall
have forty; roads, health and electric
railways, thirty-five each.
John r. X. Scott, OF Philadelphia,
seconded the resolution, and Mr.. Al
ter, OF Allegheny, united with him in
urging adoption.
Mr.. Humes, of Crawford, was ready
with similar resolution, but r. J.
Baldwin, of Delaware, objected that
the resolution was out of scrder. He
was sustained by Chief Clerk GarElk.
.agdss.sF ssoa1szssjE Eersa
fore it was taken Mr.. Flynn, of Elks
asked for unanimous consent to con-
slider the subject. This cleared the sit
uation and Mr.. Humes then offered a
substitute, which provided that par.
ties should be represented on commit
tees according to strength in the
house and changing rules regarding
discharge of committees from bills.
Mr.. Flynn said that the substitute
would recognize not only parties, but
associations, and prevent the selection
Of committeeman by few men. He
characterized the Scott resolution as
no improvement on the old method OF
the committee selections by the
speaker.
The Humes substitute was defeated.
ayes 60, nays LAT.
Mr.. Shuck, of Westmoreland, then
offered an amendment to Scott's reso-
luton to make the committee perma-
nent, to be responsible for conduct of
committees, to hear complaints, to fill
vacancies and appoint house employees.
Shuck withdrew the resolution when
told he was 'out of harmony"
Baldwin moved to lay over the reso-
luton for day, but the house refused
and Scott's resolution was adopted by
viva voce vote, and the house pro-
ceeded to the election of a speaker
with q committee on committees in full
authority.
John F. Lowber, of Allegheny, nomi-
mated George E. Alter, saying that he
would be the man to back up the gov
ernor.
John R. K. Scott, of Philadelphia.
vas nominated by Charles ]. Roney,
Of Philadelphia, who praised his legis-
htive record.
Samuel B. Scott, of Philadelphia,
vas put in nomination by Henry T.
Walnut, of Philadelphia.
Eugene ]. McAleer, of Philadelphia,
was nominated by Hugh B. Piper, of
Philadelphia.
Charles A. Shaffer, of Columbia, was
named by E. Lowry Humes, of Craw
ford, in behalf of the Democrats.