Artist: Frederic Steiger
Portrait Hung: 1951

Election and Approbation of the Speaker (6 February 1879, 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 Alex J.W. McNeily, Esq. do take the Chair as Speaker of this House.

Which motion was seconded by the Hon. J. S. Winter. And the question being put thereon, Ordered, That Alex J. W. McNeily, Esq., do take the Chair as Speaker of this House.

Mr. McNeily was then conducted to and placed in the Chair by the Hon. Attorney General, and the Hon. Mr. Winter. When standing on the step, he addressed the House as follows:

Gentlemen, I have to thank the House for the high honor conferred upon me by this election to the office of Speaker. As arbiter of its debates, and ruler of its procedure, I trust that I may be enabled to discharge my responsibilities with impartiality and discretion and I feel assured that in my endeavor so to act, I shalt be supported by the cordial co-operation of the House.”

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13^th General Assembly, 1^st Session (6 February 1879).

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Election and Approbation of the Speaker (11 February 1886, Journal)

“And the Members being returned to the Assembly Room, the Hon. The Premier, addressing himself to the Clerk, who standing up, pointed to him, and then sat down, moved, That Alexander J.W. McNeily, Esq., one of the members for the District of Bay-de-Verds, do take the Chair as Speaker of this House.

Which motion was seconded by the Hon. Mr. Goodridge. And the question being put thereon, passed in the affirmative, and ordered accordingly Mr. McNeily was then conducted to, and placed in, the Chair by the Hon. the Premier and the Hon. Mr. Goodridge, when, standing on the step, he addressed the House as follows:

I thank you, Gentlemen, for the distinguished honour which you have conferred upon me, in electing me as Speaker of this Assembly. I appreciate the honour all the more highly, from the consideration that this is the second occasion upon which the choice of the House has fallen upon me. But whilst I am proudly conscious of the dignities of the position, I am also sensible of its high duties and grave responsibilities, These duties and responsibilities, with your assistance, and God helping me, I shall endeavour to fulfil. I bespeak for myself the same kindly consideration, which, during my former term of office, I received at the hands of the House, and I feel assured that in maintaining the Rules and Orders of the House, I may count upon your jealous regard of privileges, and your cordial co-operation with me.”

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15^th General Assembly, 1^st Session (11 February 1886).