Artist: Frederic Steiger
Portrait Hung: 1951

Election and Approbation of the Speaker (15 February 1883, Journal)

“And the Members being returned to the Assembly Room, the Hon. Attorney General addressing himself to the Clerk, who standing up, pointed to him, and then sat down, moved, That Robert J. Kent, Esq., do take the chair as Speaker of this House.

Which motion was seconded by the Hon. Receiver General. And the question being put thereon, it was ordered, that Robert J. Kent Esq., do take the Chair as Speaker of this House. Mr. Kent was then conducted to and placed in the Chair by the Hon. Attorney General and the Hon. Mr. Donnelly, when standing on the step, be addressed the House as follows:

Gentlemen, I beg to thank you for your unanimous approval of my nomination to the high and responsible office of Speaker. I shall endeavor to discharge the important duties of that office with justice and impartiality with your aid, and trust to be enabled to maintain intact the rights and privileges of this House. I feel especially proud at being called upon to preside as your Speaker in this the jubilee year of this Legislature; and when, for the first time, the whole people of Newfoundland are represented in her Parliament.”

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14^th General Assembly, 1^st Session (15 February 1883).