State of Michigan, Department of State. I, JOHN S. HAGGERTY, Secretary of State of the State of Michigan, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That I have compared the annexed and foregoing list of all the members-elect of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, for the years 1927-1928, 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 hereto affixed my The roll of the House was called by the Clerk, who announced that all the representatives-elect were present except Mr. Gilbert E. Miller. The representatives-elect appeared at the Clerk's desk and took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office, which was administered by Justice Nelson G. Sharpe, 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, Ard E. Richardson, 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 Lynn C. Gardner, 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. Watson, Look and Edward C. Morrison. The Speaker then addressed the House as follows: It is with a grateful realization of the high honor that has been bestowed upon me, and an understanding knowledge of the grave responsibilities which attend the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, that I bring to you this brief inaugural message, ushering in the formal opening of the Fiftyfourth Legislative session in Michigan. Perhaps it is needless to say that I am deeply and sincerely appreciative of the confidence of my Associates in this Assembly, as exemplified by their vote and the weeks of voluntary and unselfish effort in my behalf. And if I seem to enter upon my duty as your presiding officer with some doubt and misgiving, it is because I am fully cognizant of the high calibre of the personnel of the House of Representatives this year; the big, important obligations that lie before us; and I am overwhelmed as I consider the degree of impartial, judicial intelligence required of the man trusted to preside over your deliberations. May I give you the assurance that I embark upon this period of service without prejudices or preferences; that I have no personal nor legislative axes to grind beyond a sincere desire to help you do your work well and expeditiously. Therefore, I have no legislative recommendations to offer. It is the first and only duty of your Speaker to preside. It is not his prerogative to attempt to influence your legislative activities. He must go about this job without personal enmities, without favoritism and without predetermined convictions. I am aware that my one and only obligation is to the members of the House and to the people of Michigan who sent us here. They have delegated to us the responsibility for weeding out of the mass of legislative proposals, to be submitted during the session, those bills which are essential to the proper functioning of the government and the protection of the interests of Michigan's citizenship. With us it is an obligation involving not so much the question of how much we can do, but how well and discriminatingly it can be done. With a House of Representatives composed of men of such sterling character, wide experience and high calibre, I shall be surprised if we do not establish hitherto undreamed of records for efficiency and expedition. There is much to be done, but we have the timber for constructive work in the membership of this House, and I believe we are especially qualified, this session, to do all there is to be done; do it well and with very little delay. We must realize that the House of Representatives constitutes but part of one branch of the state government. If we are to succeed in discharging our obligation to the people, we must have the enthusiastic co-operation of the Senate, the executive department and the judiciary. We must do our part, not only to promote and preserve a spirit of harmony between branches of the legislature and the other branches of governmental activity, but among ourselves. There are bound to be differences of opinion on legislative issues. You represent widely separated geographic territory with differing and, sometimes, conflicting interests and ambitions that naturally will clash from time to time. But there is no valid reason why the membership of this House of Representatives should not amicably adjust their differences on the floor and in the committee rooms and still proceed about the urgent business of the session in a fundamental atmosphere of harmony and good will. To this end I cheerfully pledge myself and my good offices as your Speaker. I believe I can speak for our chief executive, the Honorable Fred W. Green, when I say we shall have no difficulty in our negotiations with the governor. I can see no reason why there should be any serious differences between the Senate and this assembly. The people of Michigan have spoken in no uncertain manner, through their ballots. There can be no serious doubt as to what is their desire. Most of us have had experience enough in legislative and governmental affairs to know what remedies are available and how to apply them. Let's address ourselves seriously to the great task that has been put upon us, do our work promptly and well, and make this the banner session, not only in the history of law-making in Michigan, but for all the years to come. 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 Milton R. Palmer, 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: The Speaker announced that Charles S. Pierce, having received a majority of all the votes cast for the office of Clerk, was duly elected 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 of the House was called by the Clerk, and the members voted as follows: |