1876.] OF THE SENATE. 5

The ballots having been taken and counted by Messrs.
Mudd and Humphreys, tellers, it appeared that there were
26 votes cast, of which the Hon. Daniel Fields received 18
and the Hon. Lewis H. Steiner 6, and there were two blank
votes.

Whereupon it was declared that the Hon. Daniel Fields is
duly elected President of the Senate.

Mr. Fields was then conducted to the Chair by Messrs.
Steiner and Phelps, and delivered the following address :

Senators;

I am truly grateful for the very distinguished honor which
yon have conferred upon me by placing me in my present
position

I am deeply impressed with the importance and delicacy
of the duties of the position which your kindness and parti-
ality have imposed upon me, and trust that 1 shall ever
properly appreciate the game.

In the discharge of the duties of presiding officer during
the continuance of the session, I shall need your patient in-
dulgence, and I feel assured from your partiality towards me
that I shall have it at all times extended. With no other
feelings toward any member of this body but the most kind-
ly, I shall endeavor to discharge my duty without partiality
or prejudice. I am here to preside over you without parti-
sanship or favor.

The people of the State are complaining of the heavy bur-
den of taxation, and look to us by proper legislation to re-
lieve them, at least to the extent of economy and retrench-
ment, and it is our duty as their representatives to give heed
to their request.

Hoping that oar deliberations may be conducted in a spirit
of fairness and harmony, to which I promise my cordial sup-
port, and thanking you for your kindness, I now call this
Senate to order.

On motion by Mr. Joyce,

The President's address was ordered to be entered upon
the Journal.

On motion by Mr. Stevens, it was

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

Secretary—Augustus Gassaway.
Reading Clerk—Wm. H. Hiss.