6 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 8,

If, then, we would retain the confidence of our friends
throughout the State, as legislators for the public good, the
bitterness of the conflict we have passed will find no place
among our counsels. We will adhere, as closely as ever, to
those doctrines which we think essential to the welfare of our
country, but let no party discipline for party purposes, be
found upon the record of our legislation.

It has been too often seen to the discredit of higher Assem-
blies, that the rigor of party-allegiance has forced men to the
adoption of measures, founded more in malice than in judg-
ment, more in the spirit of profit for the few, than of useful-
ness for the many. Let, therefore, our legislation be directed
solely towards promoting the good of the entire people, and
we will faithfully perform the duties that have been entrusted
to us, and carry out a cardinal principle of the great party
which honored us with its support.

It may not be amiss for me to direct your attention to a
fact well known to all who have had experience in either
Branch of the Legislature, that a large number of the bills
upon which we are always called to determine, are intended
to serve some class, personal er special interest, and efforts
have been, and probably will be made, to use us, in our
representative capacity, to carry out schemes of individual
profit, and even, perhaps, of fraud upon the State.

All such attempts, however, will easily be frustrated by
vigilance on the part of those entrusted with the duties of
important committees, and thus the Treasury will be protected
against unjust demands.

I would also recommend, that measures of general impor-
tance be brought forward at an early day, so that they may
be well considered and acted on, and not left for the time
when hasty legislation may involve the State in loss.

As to myself, in the discharge of the duties to which you
have assigned me, I shall confidently rely upon that cordial
support and indulgence, which I have always seen so readily
granted to the officers of your choice; and I sincerely trust,
that through united efforts, there may be harmony at our
sessions, and such service to the people as the occasion of our
meeting may demand.

On motion by Mr. Earle,

The President's Address was ordered to be entered on the
Journal of the Senate.

On motion by Mr. Stevens, it was

Ordered, That the officers of the Senate for the ensuing
Session shall be as follows: