Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-01-08
THE LEGISLATURE.
j. E. Weeks Elected Speaker by a
Majority 1893.

Montpelier, Jan. 6-The Legislature
of 1915 is in session and organized. The
routine of election and organization pro-
ceeded with dispatch and there was no
opposition or contest except on the mat
ter of electing chaplain and his COM
pensation.
Judge John E. Weeks of Middlebury
was elected speaker of the House by a
majority of 1913 over the Rev. J. Wesley
Miller of Bethel, the democratic candi-
date. Mr.. Weeks election has been gen
orally conceded for some time, but it
was expected that there would be sew
eral other candidates. Harry A. Black
of Newport was unanimously elected
clerk of the House.
The result of the ballot was: Whole
number of votes cast 237, of which John
+. Weeks of Middlebury had 215, while
j. Wesley Miller of Bethel had %, and
John E. Weeks of Middiebury was de-
clared elected speaker for the two
years next ensuing.
In the Senate two Burlington men
were honored Max l.. Powell of Bur-
lington was elected president pro
tempore and Guy M. Page secretary of
the Senate.
All were present in the House with
four exceptions. There are no contested
elections, since Harry B. Amey of Brigh-
ton has withdrawn his protest.
The resolution concerning notification
of the Senate, furni shing newspapers for
the members, notification of the Cover
nor and joint committees went through
smoothly.
A resolution directing the speaker to
appoint chaplain without pay was in
troduc ed by j. w. Miller of Bethel He
stated that the election of a chaplain
by the house was merely custom, not
provided for by law. He quoted
precedents where appointees had served
in this capacity without pay and recon-
mended this saving of $500 in State ex-
penses.
The discussion which followed was in
the main opposed to this resolution, the
ointment being that economy in
spiritual affairs was poor beginning.
The resolution was voted down.
The election of Rev. John H. Wills
Of Waterville as chaplain of the House
was surprise to many.
The vote stood: The Rev. MIR. Wills.
1872: the Rev. A. w. Ford, 81.
Speaker Weeks upon taking the oath
of office and taking his position at
his desk gave short address thanking
the members for the honor conferred
upon him, outlining some of the prln-
cipes which should govern the House.
He sa i'd in part:
81 am deeply appreciative of this
honor in electing me to preside over
your deliberations. | realize the re-
sponsibility which ! assume and ask
for your charity, your forbearance and
your cooperation. 1t is my purpose to
preside in an impartial way so as to
promote the social fellowship of this
body and so as to merit your confidence.
While acting as representatives our
acts will be scrutinized as never be-
fore.
1--WE should be economical, but not
misery. We should give every measure
fair consideration. There is no need of
a great number of laws. Let US CO.
operate earnestly in House and COM
mittee, endeavoring to enact such laws
as are for the highest interests of all
people.
my rulings will be honest endeavors
to perform my duty. My desire is not
o be a dictator but to work together
with you.
Speaker John E. Weeks, was born in
alisbury on June IA, 1854, and located
Middlebury in 1896. He was educated
Middlebury high school. Occupation,
armer and business man. Was a
ember of the House in 1888 and 1912
nd the Senate in 1896, was associate
dge from 1892 to 1894, cattle COM
ssioner in 1906 He was made trustee
the Industrial school in 1898 and has
cen chairman of the board of penal in
itutions since 1906. He is also a
~ustee of Middlebury college at the
asent time.
The election of Judge Weeks as
eaker of the House by such a large
ote is gratifying to his many friends in
ddlebury and Addison County
4asA4. =
NOTES FROM THE CAPITOL.
The farmers of the Legislature met