The Secretary of State directed the House to the election of Speaker for the two years ensuing, and requested that ballots be prepared and forwarded for that purpose.

The ballots having been taken and counted by the tellers, it appeared that

THOMAS C. CHENEY,

the Representative from the town of Morristown, having received all of the votes cast, was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the two years next ensuing.

The Secretary of State designated Mr. Hulburd, of Hyde Park, and Mr. Porter, of Wilmington, to wait upon the Speakerelect, inform him of his election, and conduct him to the chair.

The committee performed the duty assigned them.

The Speaker was duly sworn, and addressed the House as follows:

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:-I sincerely thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me by electing me to preside over the deliberations of this Assembly. I wish it were in my power to express to you fully the deep and grateful sensibility awakened in my heart this morning by the very high compliment you have paid me in electing me to this position by your unanimous vote. Yet notwithstanding this very generous and flattering tribute of your good opinion and good will, I assume the duties and responsibilities of the chair with diffidence and distrust of my own ability.

In accepting the office I promise to perform the duties of the Speaker to the best of my ability and to act at all times with fairness and impartiality towards all. I ask from you your cordial support and co-operation during the coming weeks, and hope that at the close of your labors I may retain your confidence and respect.

A commission appointed by the last Legislature has recently revised the rules of the Senate and House. If the changes recommended by it are adopted, I believe the business of the session will be expedited and at the same time given more careful consideration than heretofore.

I believe we all realize we are here for hard work, yet I would impress upon each member and especially upon the chairmen of the various committees the absolute necessity of taking up the work of the session at once. Do not make the mistake so often made of allowing measures of importance to sleep in the hands of your committees during the early weeks of the session only to be brought forth in the closing hours and then passed or killed because of lack of time for proper consideration. Remember that the State has the right to expect you will give the same active care to the business of the public that you would give to your own personal business. In doing this let us ever bear in mind that the interests of our State should ever be higher than that of the individual or party, for only thus shall we merit the approbation of those we serve.

I thank you again for the honor you have conferred upon I promise to serve you faithfully. I hope I may serve you well.

me.

The Speaker directed the House to the election of Clerk for the two years ensuing, and but one nomination having been made, the House ordered the election to be by viva voce vote and

FRED L. HAMILTON,

of Salisbury, having received all of the votes cast, was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives for the two years next ensuing.

The Speaker designated Mr. Cady, of Middlebury, and Mr. Senter, of Montpelier, to wait upon the Clerk-elect, inform him of his election, and conduct him to the bar of the House to receive the oath of office.

The committee performed the duty assigned them.

The Clerk was duly sworn and entered upon the discharge of his duties.