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New Zealand Mail, Issue 52, 20 January 1872, Page 4

In the Californian State Legislature recently, a little difficulty about a chaplain occurred. It is thus described by a Californian paper :—“ In the Assembly this morning, after the Speaker-elect had, according to rule, spoken his piece, the question of a chaplain was sprung. The Republicans, being in the majority, have concluded to follow custom and have somebody to pray for them, although it is shrewdly suspected that, as a general thing, they will do their own praying. They had agreed to elect the Reverend Mr Cummings, an old gentleman, who, when the war of the rebellion broke out, threw aside his Bible and other insignia of office, and rushed into the fray. He thought fighting was better than praying then. In the Senate, Judge Burckhalter, a virulent secesh Democrat, arose and objected to the election of a chaplain. He could do his own praying, and didn’t want to pay anybody to do it for him. If such prayers were efficacious, they might as well have the chaplain pray at home. This is presumed to be the first move on the part of the Democratic minority for * economy’ and ‘ reform.’ But the Republicans will insist upon the chaplaincy. All the legislators need praying for, and unless somebody is paid for such services, it is to be feared such sinners would have no chance for redemption. There are exceptions to the rule, and to these the foregoing remarks do not apply.”