Saginaw, Second District-John C. Rauchholz. Schoolcraft District-David F. Morrison. St. Clair, First District-Alex Cowan. St. Clair, Second District-George C. Watson. Van Buren-Eugene J. Kirby. Washtenaw, First District-Charles A. Sink. Joseph C. Armstrong. Frank E. Murphy. Sherman D. Callender. William G. Walters. Archie M. Reid. William B. Campbell. Charles H. Culver. Milton R. Palmer. William R. Farrand. Conrad J. Netting. Wayne, Second District-Fred W. Bristow. Wayne, Third District-James Lawrence Johnson. Wexford District-H. Earl McNitt. STATE OF MICHIGAN, Department of State. I, Charles J. DeLand, Secretary of State of the State of Michigan and Custodian of the Great Seal thereof, do hereby certify that I have compared the annexed and foregoing list of all the members-elect of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, for the years 1925-1926, with the original returns, as transmitted to me by the clerks of the several counties in the State, and that it is a true and correct list. [Seal.] In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Secretary of State. The roll of the House was called by the Clerk, who announced that all the representatives-elect were present except Mr. Ormsbee. The representatives-elect appeared at the Clerk's desk and took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office, which was administered by Justice John S. McDonald, Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. The Clerk announced that the first business in order was the drawing of seats in accordance with the statute. The statute having been read, and a boy, Bruce Kelly, of Lansing, blindfolded for the purpose, the seats were drawn as follows: The Clerk announced that the next business in order was the election of a Speaker. The roll of the House was called by the Clerk and the members voted as follows: The Clerk announced that Fred B. Wells, having received a majority of all the votes cast for the office of Speaker, was duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Clerk then named as a committee to conduct the Speaker-elect to the chair, Messrs. Ming, Warner and Watson. The Speaker then addressed the House as follows: There are times in most men's lives, I think, when words seem meaningless to adequately express their feelings. This is one of the times in my life that I fail to find appropriate language to express to you, my fellow members of the House, my appreciation of this mark of your confidence in bestowing upon me this honorable position of Speaker. And, while I am mindful of this great honor, I feel that the honor of the office will only reflect itself upon me in proportion to the manner in which I conduct the affairs of the Office. I am also mindful of the great responsibilities of this office, and had someone else been chosen, I would have felt a great load lifted from my mind, for I am not one that responsibility rests lightly upon. As I stated in my letter announcing my candidacy, that I should try to promote harmony, for without it nothing would be accomplished. I still have that idea in mind. The electorate in the country evidently believed in the same principle, and in order that a steadfast, sensible, stable and economical policy continue to rule in this country, elected President Coolidge. There is no room or time for strife, dissenting or uncertainty in our onward march to progress and prosperity. I believe you members of this House feel the same way in regard to State affairs. I think you feel that this is the time for action. I think the people of the State are demanding action and not petty quarrels and haggling over past grievances. It has been said and is true, that Legislation is of necessity a compromise. We are one hundred members of the House from all parts of Michigan. Many of us have never heard of each other before. We represent different interests, ideas and sentiments. To get results those must be harmonized to quite an extent. No one ought to be expected to sacrifice everything. Each one should give and take for there is a common ground where we can all stand and where it will be best for all concerned. There are none of our interests independent of the other, but we are wholly dependent on each other. No interest can long prosper at the expense of another interest. To this end, then I would ask this: Get acquainted, discuss and argue with each other and get each other's view point on the matter pertaining to legislation. Your intermissions are as necessary as your sessions. Committee Assignments I look upon this as a real job and shall approach it as such. Many of you are unknown to me, but there is a place somewhere in this mechanism of government that you will fit better than any other place. My job is to find that place if possible. I shall use all diligence to discover where it is. I wish you would aid me in expressing your preferences or your fitness. You cannot expect to always get the Committee asked for. If you did some committees would be more than full while others would be lacking. My aim shall be to have the committees as well balanced as possible in order to get different view points and I hope they will consider each bill thoroughly and fairly, giving all interested parties a respectful hearing and then decide upon the merits of the proposed law. Bills in all cases will be referred to the Committee that its contents indicate would be applicable, in my best judgment. Length of Session This is a matter that has made a great deal of comment and I have given it considerable thought. I think the session should be as short as the business will admit of without sacrificing efficiency. In other words, we should complete our job before we quit. Other administrations have made an earnest effort to shorten the session, but not much has been accomplished along that line. It has always taken some time to assimilate the new membership and get acquainted and that is time well spent. Sometimes it is the appropriations that causes the delay, and then the institutional visits have been blamed. Now I am a firm believer in these visits. We have to make appropriations on second hand information enough at best. I think it is only fair to allow the members to visit State Institutions at the expense of the State, but it should be done as carefully and thoroughly as their time will permit. Another matter which might shorten the session and in this, I am asking your co-operation, and that is to continually keep in mind that we are in the State's employ and not working for ourselves. Especially would I call to the attention of Committees that as soon as they have bills to consider, there lies their duty. I think in that way we may be able to avoid the rush at the close of the session, when sometimes bills pass but illy considered. I also ask your co-operation in the matter of keeping order in the House. The House of Representatives should be and is a dignified body. I shall insist upon the rules being enforced. In this way, all will be able to hear and know at all times what is being considered. In conclusion, I want you to know that I am always open for suggestions. I believe that conferences frequently are helpful. I want to govern the deliberations of the House as you want it done. I do not want to pose as a master, but as your servant, and my greatest desire is to so demean myself as to merit the confidence you have today reposed in me. I thank you. The Speaker announced that the next business in order was the election of a Speaker pro tem. The roll of the House was called by the Clerk and the members voted as follows: The Speaker announced that Robert B. MacDonald, having received a majority of all the votes cast for the office of Speaker pro tem, was duly elected Speaker pro tem of the House. The Speaker announced that the next business in order was the election of a Clerk. The roll of the House was called by the Clerk, and the members voted as follows: |