The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-15
ASSEMBLY MEETS
 AS HOUSE CLOCKS STRIKE NOON HOUR
Opening of Two Houses Mere Formality Because orElection Agreement
 Previously Made
Special to The Age Herald

MOntgOlHeEl, Jduudly IT. Special. )-Alabama's 1919 legislature convened in Mont gomery Tuesday just as the clocks in the house and sen- ate signaled the monday hour. g The lower floors and galleries were filled with curious throngs, and as the speaker of the house of the 1915 legisla- ture and the presiding officer of the sen- ate rapped for order there was still ress that brought back pleasant-u -unples- ant memories of past legislatures when the legislators were tussleing with the liquor problem. the railroads and other of the big issues that made the state famous.
 The opening of the two houses was mere formality because of the agree n1ents that had been made as to the election of officers. The two surprises of the house and senate elections were the big majorities that were polled for clerk and secretary, respectively. Fred H. Gormley of Montgomery, former news paper correspondent, received 64 votes, as against 34 for Cyrus Brown of Mont gomery for clerk of the house. Walter F. Miller of Tuscumbia, received 21 votes for secretary of the senate His opponent received Il votes. The clerk and secre- tary were administration candidates. and their election had been assured. It was not thought, however, they would poll such a large majority of the votes.
 MERRITT GUIDING LIGHT
 Henry P. Merritt, famous the state over because of his activities in the 1915 legislature, will be the guiding light in the house during the 1919 session. With out opposition he was selected as speaker of the house, he receiving a large com plimentary vote. Representative Green Of Dallas county, placed the name of MT Merritt before the house and A. Il Carmichael, speaker of the old house, wished Speaker Merritt success. after the vote had been taken.
 Speaker Merritt, after being notified by committee of three he had been selected, took the chair and delivered ' brief address, in which he spoke of the strife that had come to the world during the past four years. He eulo- gized Gardner Green, former member of the house of representatives, who | Sfghting for the honor of his country.
 The house was called to order by Speaker Carmichael, who asked Rev.
 Mark IT. Holt of the Court Street Methodist church to lead in prayer. w. H. Hubbard, clerk of the 1915 house. called the names of the counties and J. O. Adams, assistant clerk en- rolled the represena atives Five mem ? bers> who did not answer to their V names when called. came in later and twere sworn in.
 V Following minor prelininaries the 8 election of the important officers be- gan. After the election of H. P. Mer- ' ritt as speaker Chief Justice John c
 Anderson of the supreme court admin < istered the oath of office to the rep ,. 2resentatives. 4t
 GORMLEY ELECTED CLERK
 J. W. Partridge, representative from . Franklin county, nominated Fred H Gormley of Montgomery for clerk oi
 the 1919 house. and across the room Representative Walter Jones of Montl
 gomery, of the minority faction, nom
 mated Cyrus Brown for the same of . flee. The count gave Gorm!ey 64 vote:
 and Brown 34. J. c. Adams was elected
 assistant secretary.
 Rules of the 1915 session were adopted upon suggestion of the representativ, from Hale county. These rnles wil ap i. ply until others are drawn up. Halel representative introduced a resolution
 asking for the appointment of join , committee of the house and senate tt inform Governor Henderson the organi
 zation Of each had been completed. Thi N. carried and Governor Henderson, througl " his private secretary, John Moffatt, in
 formed the two houses he did not car to appear personally before them, bu ' would send in his written message. Tn
 house voted to have 800 copies of tn
 message printed, postponing indefinitel. the reading of the lengthy message.
 There was silence when house bill Nc
 was introduced by Representative Gree ' of Dallas county. This bill proposes t
 fix the salary of the governor of Ala
 lama at Si5o0. The bill was referred t N th. rules committee. Resolution No.
 asking the peace conference to adopt tn league of nations, was introduced an ' given to the rules committee.
 IT l. Bedsole. senator of the Nineteent
 district, was elected president pro ter N of the senate without opposition. Waite F. Miller easily won the office of secre tary to the senate. His opponent wa
 James K. Kyle.
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