1874.] OF THE SENATE. 5

Mr. Carroll was then conducted to the Chair by Messrs.
Earle and Steiner,

When he delivered the following address:

Senators:

Standing upon this spot, so truly associated with the patri-
otic memories of the past, I cannot but deeply feel the re-
sponsibilities of the position which your confidence has en-
trusted to me.

To be selected as the Presiding Officer of the Senate of
Maryland, by the almost unanimous voice of my fellow-mem-
bers, is an honor, which, I trust, I shall ever appreciate at its
proper value, and while I willingly acknowledge the want of
that experience which might enable me to meet with your
entire approbation, I can pledge myself to the execution of
the varied duties of this position, in a spirit of strict impar-
tiality, and with an earnest desire to serve the best interests
of this Assembly.

Although it is not my province to address you in reference
to the political questions of the day, we surely may be per-
mitted to congratulate each other upon the favorable circum-
stances under which we have been called together.

For many years past, the exclusive control and adminis-
tration of the affairs of this State, have been confided by the
people to the advocates of one of the two great political or-
ganizations of the country. During all this period, under
the guiding influences of the Demecratic party, we have seen
the duties of our Executive performed with dignity and abil-
ity, the administration of our laws has been faithful and im-
partial, the credit of the State has been firmly maintained, in
the midst of financial storms, that have staggered many of
the strongest in the land; our Public Works nave been man-
aged with economy and skill, education has been dispensed
with a liberal hand, labor has been lightened, taxes dimin-
ished, order and good government have everywhere prevailed;
and now we have the satisfaction of knowing that our earnest
efforts to maintain the prosperity of this Commonwealth, have
lately been indorsed, by an overwhelming expression of the
confidence of the people.

While, therefore, we may justly point with pride to this
encouraging condition of our domestic affairs does not the
magnitude itself, of the victory so lately achieved by us, but
too clearly show upon whom shall rest the respsonsibility—
not only for the action, but likewise for the spirit of the pres-
ent session ?