ORGANIZATION.
On motion by Mr. JOHNSTON, it was
Ordered, That the Senate now proceed to election of a President to preside over the deliberations of this body.
Mr. WILLIAMS nominated PARIS C. DENNING, of Monroe.
Mr. MELLETT nominated OTHNIEL BEESON of Wayne.
No other nominations being made--
The Secretary called the roll and the result of the first ballot was as follows:
Senators voting for Mr. Dunning were--
Messrs. Bradley,Brown of Wells, Cobb, Davis of Cass, Douglass, Downey, Ferguson, Finch, Fuller, Gaff, Gifford, Graves, Hartley, Hoagland, Hord, Jenkins, Johnston, Landers, McClurg, Marshall, Moore, Ray, Shields, Shoulders, Williams, Wilson n, Wolfe--27.
Senators voting for Mr. Beeson, were--
Messrs. Bearss, Berry, Blair, Browne, of Randolph, Campbell, Claypool, Culver, Davis, of Parke, Dickinson, Grubb, Mansfield, March, Mellett, Murray, New, Pleak, Reed, Teegarden, White, Wright--20.
Mr. Dunning having received a majority of all the votes cast, was declared by the Secretary, to be duly elected President of the Senate, and Senators Reckon and Williams were appointed to conduct him to the chair.
The PRESIDENT, having been conducted to the Chair, said : Gentlemen of the Senate, in return for the distinguished compliment just conferred upon me by this election to the Presidency of the Senate, I promise you, in the discharge of the arduous and responsible duties which the Constitution imposes, all the ability of which I am possessed.
The Senate of Indiana has assembled on this occasion under inauspicious circumstances. Our country which was once happy and united--which was prosperous, which was the greatest among the nations of the earth is now involved in civil war the like of which the history of the world gives no account. The Constitution of the United States has been imperilled, the integrity of the Union has been lost, and every attempt which a powerful people can make for the purpose of prostrating this government is now going on. These things should admonish us, that in our deliberations we should have harmony and co operation--that we should throw aside partizanship and act as statesmen. I trust that the legislation of this session will be characterized by statesmanship, and by the enactment of such laws and the expression of such opinions as will tend to put down this rebellion as will tend to uphold the Constitution of the country and to the reconstruction of this government. I promise you, Senators, co-operation on my part, and I trust there will be co-operation on the part of the every member of this body.
Your duties are responsible--I repeat, your duties are responsible: Your constituents are looking to you with anxiety and not only your constituency, but the people of the world are looking to the legislation of Indiana as well as to the legislation of every loyal State of this Union to see what direction that legislation may take.
I trust, I say, that our legislation may be characterized by such a spirit and by such tendencies as will restore peace and harmony to this once glorious country, but now divided and now distracted. That such may be the result of our legislation, if I may be permitted, I pray Almighty God who rules the every destiny of men, as well as the destinies of nations, to inspire us with the proper spirit for the station we occupy. I thank you, gentlemen, kindly, for the honor you have conferred upon me.
I can say upon this occasion truly to my Republican and to my democratic fellow-senators, that I take this place without ever having uttered a word directly or indirectly, by way of seeking the intervention of any friend, for my election to the seat you have given me.
The Senate pursued the organization.
MR. COBB nominated for Principal Secretary James H. Vawter, of Jennings.
Mr. CLAYPOOL nominated Azel P. Newkirk, of Fayette.
Mr. Vawter received 27 votes, and Mr. Newkirk 22 votes. Mr. Vawter was declared duly elected.
Mr. WILSON nominated for Assistant Secretary Samuel R. Hamill of Sullivan.
Mr. MARCH nominated John R. Cravens of Marion.
Mr. Hamill received 27 votes, and Mr. Cravens 22. Mr. Hamill was declared duly elected.
Mr. SHIELDS nominated for Doorkeeper W.H. Montgomery of Martin.
Mr. BERRY nominated Samuel G. Thomson of Wabash.
Mr. Montgomery received 27 votes and Mr. Thomson 22. Mr. Montgomery was declared duly elected.
Mr. WILSON nominated for Assistant Doorkeeper Bruce Shields of Jackson.
Mr. BROWNE of Randolph nominated Frederick F. Needham of Randolph.
Mr. Shields received 27 votes and Mr. Needham 21. Mr. Shields was declared duly elected.
As each office was elected he forward and was sworn by Solomon Claypool, Judge of the Sixth Judicial District.
On motion by Mr. RAY, it was--
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of the organization of the Senate.
