HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 1873 - 10 o'clock A.M.THE ORGANIZATION.
The Hon. Wm. K. Edwards, speaker for the late special Session, called the House to order at ten o'clock, A. M. He said: By an act passed at the last session, it has been made my duty to organize this House. The call of the members will be made by the gentleman from Knox (Mr. Cauthorn;) and as gentlemen are called, they will please respond and rise and stand in their places. The oath will be administered by the Hon. Samuel H. Buskirk, of the Supreme Court. The call will now be made.
Mr. Cauthorn, representative for the county of Knox, called the roll of names, by counties, and all the members of the House of Representatives of the Forty-eighth General Assembly responded, excepting Messrs. Barrett, Butterworth, Durham, Eward, Roger, Lee, Martin, McKenney, Shutt, Smith, Stanley and Woollen. The members all stood in their places while Mr. Edwards, of Vigo, introduced Judge Buskirk, at whose hand the oath of the constitution was administered to the members present, in these words: "You who swear do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, and you who affirm do sincerely affirm, that you will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Indiana, and that you will honestly and faithfully discharge your duties as members of this General Assembly - you who swear as you will answer to God, and you who affirm as under the pains and penalties of perjury.
page: 20[View Page 20]The Speaker, Mr. Edwards, of Vigo, announced a quorum present and the House ready to proceed to the organization.
Mr. Kimball - I place in nomination for Speaker, the Hon. William K. Edwards, of Vigo county.
Mr. Richardson - I place in nomination the Hon. Henry S. Cauthorn, of the county of Knox.
Mr. Cauthorn, under the direction of the Chair, took the vote (assisted by the Hon. Cyrus T. Nixon) and announced the result: Edwards, 52: Cauthorn, 36.
Mr. Cauthorn - W. K. Edwards having received a majority of all the votes cast, I declare him to be duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the present session of the General Assembly. The Speaker announced successively the order for the election of the principal clerk, assistant clerk and the doorkeeper. The nominations on both sides were made by Messrs. Kimball and Richardson. For Principal Clerk, Cyrus T. Nixon received 52 votes; E. M. Johnson, 36 votes. For Principal Assistant Clerk, Moses G. McLain received 52 votes; George B. Tobbs, 36 votes. For Doorkeeper, W. T. Lockhart received 52 votes; Francis Lehell 36 votes. The election of those receiving the majority of the votes of the House for those offices were duly announced by the Speaker, whereupon they came forward and received their oath of office at his hand.
THE SPEAKER'S ADDRESS.
The Speaker elect, standing before the House, then spoke as follows: Gentlemen of the House of Representatives - The experience gained by the Special Session will aid in directing the proceedings of this Regular Session. The interests you represent are so closely interwoven with your own, as to induce the careful and wise deliberation that the State demands. You have earnestly devoted time and attention, with industry, sodility, and ability, to the trust confided to your consideration. This is attested by the gratifying record you have made for efficiency. At this session there is comparatively no disturbing element, no question to embitter our personal acquaintance; our attachments are stronger; guided by enlightened reason and the observance of order, harmony, as before, will prevail, making our duties pleasant and producing profitable results. Allow me to thank you cordially for the honor of this re-election, and to ask of you that which I must rely on your forbearance and assistance that I may discharge the several duties assigned me aright, to the welfare of the State and to your approval. [Applause.] Mr. Satterwhite submitted a resolution, which was adopted, to inform the Senate that the House is organized by the election of speaker, clerks and doorkeeper, and ready now to proceed to legislative business.
Mr. Wynn submitted a resolution that the rules for the government of the House of Representatives during the special session of 1872 be adopted for the government of the House at the present session of 1873. Adopted. Mr. Crumpacker submitted a concurrent resolution that the General Assembly will proceed, in joint convention, in the Hall of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday next, at half-past two o'clock P. M., to the selection of such officers as are to be elected by the General Assembly. On motion of Mr. Hardesty, it was laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Shirley, the hour for the daily meeting of the House,was made 9 o'clock.Mr. Cobb submitted the following, which was adopted :Resolved, By the House of Representatives, (the Senate concurring,) that there shall be appointed by the House and Senate, a joint committee, consisting of three Senators and six Representatives, to which committee shall be referred all claims, which if allowed, will properly be included in a specific appropriation bill, that may be presented to either the House or Senate; and after the claims have been acted on, some other member who may be designated, shall report to each house their action theron.
Mr. Satterwhite submitted a concurrent resolution for a joint special committee of three on the part of the House of Representatives, acting with a like committee on the part of the Senate, to inform the Governor that the General Assembly, in regular session for 1873, is organized and ready to proceed to legislative business. At the suggestion of Mr. Miller and the Speaker, this was held till it was known that the Senate is organized.
The Speaker announced the provision of the election law - section 47 of the act governing general elections - that members of the General Assembly are required to report the returns of the election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor - the members of the House to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on the first and second days of the session, and stated that gentlemen would now have the opportunity to do so.
AFTERNON SESSION.
Messrs. Edward, Hoyer, McKinny, Smith and Woollen now appeared in their places in the Hall, came forward and took the oath of office of a member of the House of Representative at the hand of the Speaker.
Mr. Beller submitted a resolution (which was adopted) tendering thanks to the Hon. Samuel H. Buskirk of the Supreme Court for his services rendered in assisting the organization of the Houoe of Representative.
Mr. Wolphin desired to submit a resolution for an order to contract for newspapers; but the Speaker repressed the reading as matter premature.
On motion of Mr. Heller, the House then, according to previous order, adjurned till to-morrow morning nine o'clock.
