Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-12
LEGISLATURE
MEETS TODAY
Both Houses Hold Caucuses
Last Night and Select
Officers
HOUSTON IS SPEAKER
HOUSTON IS SPEAKER
Most ALI Former Employees in Capt.
tol Are Elected-suggestion
That Speeches Be Short.

Richmond, Jan. 12.- Unopposed
and welcomed by score or more
delegates in nominating and second
ing speeches as 4 worthy successor
of the distinguished line of speakers
who have presided over Virginia's
lower house since the days of the
burgesses, Delegate Harry r. Hous-
ton, of Hampton; 81 years old, and
Z years younger than that in appear
ance was last night nominated by
the Democratic House caucus to be
Speaker of the House of Delegates
during the ensuing session.
The selection was marked by a
unanimity which has seldom been
seen in the House in connection with
the filling of an Office Of this dignity.
Although the Hampton man is not
allied with the overwhelming House
majority on the question of, prohibi-
ton, factional lines were obliterated
and representatives of every shade
of opinion joined in elevating him
to the speakership.
Not the least among those who
We'd in paying tribute to the delegate
about to be nominated, was Delegate.
George L. Browning, Of Orange, who
was himself the choice of a strong
following for the office of Speaker.
Mr.. Browning had formally with
drawn from the race day or two
before, and joined last night; in a
graceful speech, IN congratulating,,
the House Of Delegates on the choice
it was about to make.
Mr.. Houston was nominated by
Colonel r. +. Leedy Of Page, When
the seconding speeches were over -
q ceremonial that consumed nearly
an hour-the House instructed Dele
gate Browning to cast the unanimous
vote of the body for Mr.. Houston,
which he did to resounding applause.
Delegates Leedy, Baker, Murray,
Hobson, Willis and Browning were
appointed committee to escort the
Speakcr-elect to the chair.
Mr.. Houston expressed his deep
feeling of gratitude to the members
for the great honor just bestowed
upon him. To meet properly the ut
terances to which the House had just
listened, he said, would require the
elouuence of William Jennings Bryan
and the nerve of Henry Ford, and he
would therefore not attempt it.
eff there is keynote I might
sound at this time," said Mr.. Houston,
cit is that we enter now upon new
era of oratory. cannot do better
than, by precept and example. start
this new era of short. speeches myself
Let the session of 1916 sound the
death knell to long-winded speeches
and introduce a new era of action"
The Delegates evidenced by their
applause the excellence of this SEN
timent, but with few minutes they
proceeded to ignore it by devoting
the better part of an hour to nomin-
ating speeches for offices concerning
which there was no contest. Then they
added another hour of oratory nomi-
rating and seconding candidates for
the position of second doorkeeper-
one of the two Offices within the gift
of the caucus which were contested
The House caucus, called to order
at $3.50 o'clock by Delegate W. w.
Baker, of Chesterfield, started with
a lively contest for the chairmanshir
of the caucus. in which c. j. Meetze
of Prince William, opposed .. Z.
Jordan, of Pulaski The former was
nominated by George L. Browning
and the latter by Hugh A. White, oi
Rockbridge. Mr.. Jordan was elected
polling 43 votes to the 33 polled b!
his opponent. Delegate Berkley d
Adams, of Charlotte, was elected
secretary of the caucus.
| In the Senate business proceeded
with somewhat more dispatch. Sena
tor Rison, of Chatham, was unanim
ously elected chairman of the caucus
i The other elective offices of the Sen
ate were filed by. ne renominatiol