Smyrna times., 1938-05-05
GIRL ASSEMBLY
MEET AT DOVER
Quite a Smyrna Contingent
MOtOred Down to Witness
the Proceedings
SMYRNA GIRL SPEAKER

red letter day for the John Bassett
Moore School. In Dover the elect
ed girl representatives of all
schools in the state held a Girls
State in the Legislative Hall. To
the best of our knowledge it is the
first of its kind to be held any
where AS usual in many respects
Delaware leads the world; already
Massachusetts has written for in
formation concerning our activities
in this respect. Smyrna girls in
the Legislature were Vivian Blendt,
senator; Estelle Edmondson and
Betty Houtman, representatives.
Upon convening the first duty of
the House of Representatives was
to elect a Speaker. The Speaker
is the presiding officer and ap-
points committees and is therefore
about the most important position
in the House. A very capable
speaker was elected, our Repre-
sentative Estelle Edmondson. At
ter instructions by John r. Fader,
last years Speaker, Estelle dis
the duties Of the office to
perfection. The second most i'm
portant position in the House is
that of majority floor leader.
Again the honors went to our Rep
resentative. Betty Houtman was
chosen as majority floor leader ana
aided by Major Chauncey P. Hol-
comb, became a real leader. Betty
made half of the motions and led
debate upon bills. Holding the two
most important positions in the
House and discharging them cap
ably were not enough for these
girls. They also had a bill drawn
pensions for school
teachers. It was entered by our
and became House
Bill No. l; the only student drawn
and proposed bill in the House. In
the Senate the John Bassett Moore
School was also ably represented
by our Senator, Vivian BTendt.
Vivian was ably guided by State
Senator w E. Matthews. At all
times Vivian took an active part
in motions, debate, and committee
A resolution of thanks
to State officials for helping to
make this day possible was drawn
and entered by our Senator Blendt.
This was the only resolution either
or passed. We are justly
proud of the sterling performances
of our students in their excellent
of initiative and leadership.
We are certain that they have
learned much from their expert
ences in the Girls State. The
Legion and Auxiliary
are to be congratulated for such
projects.
Proceedings Followed to Custom
In the proceedings, girls from
public, private, and parochial
schools of all parts of the state
participated as part of the Amer
program of the Amer
lean Legion. Miss Jean Barnes
was governor" Miss Catherine
Park, secretary of state, and
Miss Grace Kwick, attorney gem
eral." All three are of the Wo-
mans College. The political"
setup was the same as at the last
Legislature with the Conservatives
(Republicans) controlling the Sen
ate and the Liberals (Democrats)
the House. Governor
at the joint session, rec
commended a state board Of super
yisors, consolidation Of offices, a
merit system, a record Of those re
ceiving relief, Capitalization of the
various agencies of relief, civil
service system, a retirement pen
sion, and expulsion of the spoils
system" The House" succeeded
IN passing bill establishing a civil
service system in the state to in
clude all appointive employees, but
oy the time the measure had been
debated by the Liberals, its spon-
sors, and the Conservatives, its OPP
CONTINUED on Page Four)