THE
BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
VOLUME TWENTY-TWO.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Thursday, January 8, 1885.[Omitted from page 19.]
Hon. CHARLES L. JEWETT, when elected Speaker of the House, on taking the chair, said:
GENTLEMEN: - I assume this station with sincere gratitude for the honor, and profoundly impressed with its responsibility. It is indeed an honor to be called to preside over this house, for I express but the common belief of those who are best qualified to judge, when I say never in the history of the State has a house of representatives been possessed of a greater wealth of ability, experience and personal worth. It is not the province of the speaker to suggest subjects of legislation; for that belongs to the Governor and it would be equally impertinent to suggest the extent of legislation, for that is a matter belonging exclusively to you, but the manner in which you are to discharge your duties may be properly touched upon. No bill ought ever to be enacted without careful consideration, and inconsiderate legislation, usually comes from an attempt to atone for indolence during the greater portion of the session by excessive industry at its close. In my opinion the time allotted us by the constitution is ample for the present needs of State, provided none of it is wasted. Every citizen of the State is entitled to respectful hearing and to have his proper request duly considered, but when any measure is urged upon you by interested parties, I beg of you to remember it is your duty to represent the great body of the people who have not been consulted and whose interest can only be respected by you. Happily, there are few political questions demanding our attention, and the party complexion of the house is so clearly defined that they may be disposed of without obstruction or delay. I beg of you therefore, without, regard to party, to address yourselves to the necessary legislation of the session, recognizing the fact chat your highest duty is to the whole people of the State. If you do this we shall succeed, if not we shall fail, and bear always in mind that for mistakes made here regrets elsewhere will be unavailing and corrections will be impossible.
