GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2531, 19 May 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF BEPEESKNTAXIVKS, Thursday, May 18. The House mat at two. Major Aikinsos, addressing the Clerk of Parliament, moved that Sir G. M. O’Eorke be elected Speaker. He referred to the fact that he had held the position on previous occasions, and bore ample testimony to the highly efficient manner in which he had die charged the duties appertaining thereto. Mr MacansbbW, as one of the oldest representatives in the new Legislature, expressed the pleasure it afforded him in seconding the nomination. He cordially endorsed all that bad been said as to the manner in which Sir Q-. M. O'Borke had discharged the duties. Indeed, he considered that it was a fortunate thing both for the Legislature and the country that they had such an one to place in the responsible position. Mr Letestah expressed regret in having to oppose the motion. He bore testimony to the excellence of Sir G, M. O’Borke’s personal character and conduct, but in an unhappy moment he had forfeited the many claims be had established to their confidence by the action he took in connection with the passing of the Bepresentation Bill last session. He argued from records in “ Hansard ” that the action taken by the Chairman of Committees on that occasion was due to the influence exercised by Sir Q. M. O’Borke as Speaker. Moreover, Sir G. M. O’Borke bad himself in 1875 adopted exactly similar proceedings to those so severely condemned by himself. He believed, however, that Sir G. M. O’Borke had acted merely upon an error of judgment and excess al zsal. He spoke as a matter of duty to bis constituents in condemning Sir G. M. O’Borke’s past actions, but he was not prepared to go the length of offering any more active opposition. Ho other candidate was named.

Sir G. M. O’Robkb, speaking from the floor of the House, said he had sat in that House for a period of twenty-one years, and he had had the advantage of all the experience to be gathered from such a lengthened term and the example of those who had preceded him. It was impossible, however, that a Speaker could at all times command the approbation of all parties in the House. Still, it had all along been bis endeavor to hold the balance of justice equitably as between all parties. On being conducted to the Chair by Major Atkinson and Mr Macandrew, he, standing on the steps of the chair, returned thanks for his election. He spoke in defence of Farlia* mentary Government, and asked members to aid him in upholding its prerogatives. Mr Kelly and Mr Hutchison both spoke in congratulatory terms upon the election of Sir G. M. O’Rorke, the latter adding that be hoped that steps would be taken for amending their Standing Orders, so as to avoid a repetition of the diffioultiesjof last session, to which one of the previous speakers had just alluded.