The roll was again called and the President announced that a quorum of the Senate was present. The President then addressed the Senate as follows: SENATORS: Allow me to congratulate you upon the favorable circumstances under which you assemble. The State whose interests you are chosen to guard and protect, has rapidly changed from a wild wilderness, to a thriving and prosperous commonwealth, affording comfortable homes and profitable employment to a million and a half of people, remarkable for industry, intelligence, and enterprise. Our own industry provides everything that we produce in abundance, and of most of the products of the State there is a large surplus. We find our valuable State institutions built up and paid for, including a comfortable, commodious, and substantial State capitol now ready for our use, and our noble State practically free from debt. When we consider the brief period that limits our history as a State, our progress and present condition, is a matter of reasonable satisfaction and pride. Under these favorable auspices, Senators, you come together as the chosen guardians of the rights and interests of a free and prosperous people. Your responsibilities are great; and when you consider that no law of the State can be repealed, altered, or passed without your consent and coöperation, you must realize that as a body you cannot shrink or evade them. Our recent legislation has been comparatively free from jobbery, yet laws have been multiplied with too little consideration and care. Those who have had private or local interests, and have been here to attend to them, have had more consideration than the quiet workers at home who work to take care of themselves, to build up the State, and bear its burdens. No laws should pass that operate unequally, or unjustly, and if any such are in force they should be promptly repealed. All the body of our people ask or desire of the legislature or the government, is that degree of protection that is secured by wise and just laws. Let no needless burdens be imposed. Secure to all equal rights and equal privileges, and they will take good care of themselves. As your presiding officer I shall need your kind indulgence and your constant, friendly aid. In return I can only pledge you industry, faithfulness, and a desire always to be impartial and just, and to enforce rigidly the rules you adopt for your benefit and protection. Trusting that our intercourse may, at all times be friendly and pleasant, that our service may benefit all our people, and honor our beloved State, I enter upon my duties with courage and confidence. On motion of Mr. Brown, The Senate proceeded to the election of Secretary of the Senate, with the following result: The President announced that Edwin S. Hoskins, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Secretary of the Senate. Mr. Chamberlain announced that Hon. Edward W. Pendleton, Senator elect from the tenth senatorial district, was present and prepared to take his seat. Mr. Pendleton came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the constitution, and took his seat. On motion of Mr. Dow, The Senate proceeded to the election of Assistant Secretary of the Senate, with the following result: The President announced that Charles C. Hopkins, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Assistant Secretary of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Childs, The Senate proceeded to the election of Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk, with the following result: The President announced that Denison E. Groesbeck, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Chamberlain, The Senate proceeded to the election of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, with the following result: The President announced that Charles H. Perkins, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. Mr. Chamberlain moved that the Senate take a recess until half-past 2 o'clock, Which motion did not prevail. On motion of Mr. Dow, The Senate proceeded to the election of 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, with the following result: The President announced that John S. Brubaker, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Billings, The Senate proceeded to the election of 2d Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, with the following result: The President announced that George Fowler, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected 2d Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Cochrane, The Senate proceeded to the election of Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk, with the following result: The President announced that Oscar F. Morse, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Tyler, The Senate took a recess until 2 o'clock this afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION. 2:30 o'clock, P. M. The Senate met and was called to order by the President. The President announced that the oath of office would now be administered to the officers elect of the Senate. Edwin S. Hoskins, Secretary of the Senate elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. Charles C. Hopkins, Assistant Secretary of the Senate elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. Charles H. Perkins, Sergeant-at-Arms elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. John S. Brubaker, 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. George Fowler, 2d Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. Denison E. Groesbeck, Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. Oscar F. Morse, Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. Mr. Shepard offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the rules of the last Senate be amended by the addition to Rule 18 of a committee on the liquor traffic, and that the same, so amended, serve as the rules of this Senate until changed; Which was adopted. Mr. Tyler offered the following concurrent resolution: Resolved, By the Senate (the House concurring), That the joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives and the rules in joint convention of the last Legislature, be and are hereby adopted as the rules of the present Senate and House until otherwise ordered; Which was adopted. Mr. Conant offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the President be authorized to appoint five messengers, one for himself and four for the Senate; and that the Secretary and Sergeant-atArms each be authorized to appoint a messenger; Which was adopted. Mr. Chamberlain offered the following resolution: Resolved, That each Senator be allowed the sum of five dollars for stationery during the session, and also, that the committee of supplies and expenditures be required to furnish the President of the Senate, Secretary, engrossing and enrolling clerks, and the chairmen of all committees, such stationery as shall be reasonable and necessary for their use; Which was adopted. Mr. Robbins offered the following resolution: Resolved, That Frank Pullman be, and he hereby is appointed keeper of the cloak and wash room. Mr. Billings moved to amend the resolution so as to authorize the President to appoint the officer named in the resolution; Which motion prevailed. The question being on the adoption of the resolution as amended, Mr. Chamberlain moved to lay the resolution on the table; Which motion did not prevail. The resolution was then adopted. Mr. Tyler offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to invite the resident clergymen of the city to open the daily sessions of the Senate with religious exercises; Which was adopted. Mr. Hodge offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the daily sessions of the Senate commence at 10 o'clock until otherwise ordered; Which was adopted. Mr. Chamberlain offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the President of the Senate be authorized to appoint one or more janitors for the Senate; Which was adopted. Mr. Billings offered the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (the House concurring), That Benjamin B. Baker be appointed Postmaster of the House and Senate, to receive and distribute all mail matter belonging to the members of the House and Senate; Mr. Palmer moved to amend the resolution by striking out the words, "Benjamin B. Baker," and inserting in lieu thereof the words, "Gottschalk Grelling." The question being on the adoption of the amendment, Mr. Shepard moved to amend the amendment by striking out the words, "Gottschalk Grelling," and inserting in lieu thereof the words, "A. G. Gulley;" Which motion did not prevail. The question recurring on the adoption of the amendment, Mr. Hewitt moved to amend the amendment by striking out the words, "Gottschalk Grelling," and inserting in lieu thereof the words, "H. R. Gardner;" Pending which, On motion of Mr. Billings, The resolution was laid on the table. |