the various committee rooms will be afforded fullest opportunity for the presentation of all facts and opinions bearing on any measure. Therefore let no private or personal lobbying warp our judgment or commit us to any actions that we might afterwards regret. But on the contrary preserve inviolate that freedom of position and strict impartiality of judgment which our constituency have a right to expect and which shall secure wise and just legislation from our hands. It has unfortunately become of late years the fashion to ridicule all legislation and to so insinuate regarding it that it has seemed hardly desirable or a fortunate thing to be a Representative. Now, however merited or unmerited such criticism has been in the past, let me emphasize for this session the real honor, dignity and importance of this legislative government of which we are a part. Let us prove that what I have said is not mere sentiment and let us make it our business to remove all stigma by our own faithfulness and dignity. Let us see to it that not only does our office honor us, but that we honor the offices to which we have been called by the suffrages of the people. Those who have criticised so bitterly the long sessions should be reminded of the constantly increasing interests that arise for consideration owing to the rapid growth and development of our beautiful State. It must of necessity take longer each year to compass the business of this body, and that this is true is one of the hopeful signs of progress and prosperity among us. Our fathers dispatched the business of such legislation more quickly, simply because there was less business to dispatch.

So let us make haste slowly. Still let us make haste, for the people have spoken. Political parties have publicly declared for shorter sessions. In justice to this voice of the people let there be no obstructive policy or useless delay. The influence of the chair will continually be toward a prompt, vigorous and businesslike dispatch of all matters coming before us. Finally, let me urge you to that wise, broad and far-seeing legislation which is true statesmanship, avoiding all that might be blinded by prejudice or narrowed by sectionalism. Let us be faithful at once to our constituency and to our State, so shall the session of 1891 be made historic because of the dignity, honor and worth of its work.

The Speaker announced that the election of a Chief Clerk was the next business in order, and the roll being called the members voted as follows:

The Speaker announced that Lyman A. Brant, having received a majority of all the votes cast for Chief Clerk, he was duly elected Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.

In response to a demand from the House,

Mr. Brant remarked as follows:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen:

It is not the first time I have stood in this House clothed with official duties. A member of the House of 1883 and 1885, the few of my colleagues who are here today will bear me witness that I never made a speech of ten minutes during those sessions. It may be that what esteem I secured was due to this. I shall say but little today, but to thank my friends for the liberal support they have given me, and to assure the members of the House that it will be my endeavor to so conduct the duties of my position as to secure the approval of all you gentlemen. Under the administration of my predecessor, a high standard of excellence was established. I will endeavor with all my might to assist in the expedition of the business of the session, which the people of our great and glorious State I believe expect.

The Speaker announced that the next business in order was the election of an Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk.

The roll being called the members voted as follows:

32

The Speaker announced that E. Merrett Hopkins, having received a majority of all the votes cast for the office of Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk, was duly elected Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk of the House of Representatives.

The Speaker announced that the next business in order was the election of a Sergeant-at-Arms.

The roll being called, the members voted as follows:

FOR WILLIAM B. PRESTON.

The Speaker announced that William B. Preston, having received a majority of votes cast for Sergeant-at-Arms, was duly elected Sergeant-atArms of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Rockwell offered the following:

Resolved, That the Speaker be authorized to appoint the usual pages, janitors, janitress, keepers of the cloak room and document room; that the Sergeant-at-Arms be authorized to appoint his assistants; that the Clerk be authorized to appoint his Journal Clerk, Corresponding Clerk, Financial

Clerk and messenger, and that the Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk be authorized to appoint his assistant;

Which was adopted.

Mr. Richardson offered the following:

Resolved, That the rules of the last House be adopted as the rules of this House, until otherwise ordered;

Which was adopted.

Mr. O. P. Jackson offered the following:

Resolved, That the Speaker assign in the customary places upon the floor, seats and desks for the reporters in regular attendance upon this House, and that the clerk be requested to supply them with copies of all printed matter furnished to the members, and afford them all the usual facilities;

Which was adopted.

Mr. Miller offered the following:

Resolved by this House (the Senate concurring), That Dyer F. Webber, of Eaton county, be and is appointed Legislative Postmaster for this House and Senate for the session 1891.

Laid over one day under the rules.

The Speaker announced that the next business in order was the election of a Speaker pro tem. for the House.

The roll being called the members voted as follows:

The Speaker announced that George F. Richardson having received a majority of all the votes cast was duly elected to the office of Speaker pro tem.

Mr. Gregory offered the following:

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Speaker to notify the Senate that the House is organized and ready to proceed to busi

ness;

Which was adopted.

The Speaker announced as such committee Messrs. Gregory, Watts and Downing.

Mr. W. B. Jackson offered the following:

Resolved, That this House offer to the Hon. D. L. Crossman a vote of thanks for the kind and efficient services rendered by him in the organization of the House, and that as he retires from public life he takes with him the best wishes of the House of 1891;

Which was adopted by an unanimous rising vote.

Mr. Fildew offered the following:

Be it Resolved (the Senate concurring), That A. F. Clise, of Ingham, be elected Postmaster;

Laid over one day under the rules.

The Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk elect and the Sergeant-at-Arms elect appeared before the Clerk's desk, took and subscribed the oath of office and entered upon their respective duties.

Mr. Mellen offered the following:

Resolved (the Senate concurring), That Hyeronymus Engleman be appointed Postmaster of the House;

Laid over one day under the rules.

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced that the committee appointed to inform the Senate that the House had completed its organization and was ready for business, as being present.

The committee reported that they had performed the duties assigned them, and were discharged.

Mr. Bathey offered the following:

Resolved (the Senate concurring), That a joint committee of three members from the House and three from the Senate be appointed to wait upon their excellencies, the outgoing and incoming governors, and inform them that the two houses have completed their organization and are ready for business, and to inquire at what time they will be pleased to commmunicate with them;

On motion of Mr. Richardson,

The rule requiring concurrent resolutions to lie over one day was suspended, two-thirds of all the members present voting therefor, and the resolution was put on its immediate consideration.

The resolution was then adopted.

The Speaker announced as such committee on the part of the House Messrs. Bathey, Fildew and Eaton.

The a committee from the Senate who reported that that body had completed its organization and was ready for business.

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee on the part of the House to act with like committee on the part of the Senate to inform their Excellencies, the outgoing and incoming governors, that the two houses had completed their organization and were ready for business.

The committee reported that owing to absence from the city of the outgoing Governor and the indisposition of the incoming Governor, they had been unable to perform the duty assigned them and asked for further time.