“ The protest was made a matter of record, but a majority of the members voted to hold the joint session in accordance with the governor's request, and on the 11th Gov. Anthony read his message to the two houses.
His message showed that the new executive was fully conversant with public matters, and was replete with valuable suggestions. “The reports of the state officers,” said he, “show the financial condition and credit of the state to be of the most flattering character. Seven per cent. currency bonds of the state are held at a premium of seven per cent. ”

“ Gov. Melville J. Salter as president of the senate, and Peter P. Elder as speaker of the house. Gov. Anthony requested a joint session of the two branches of the assembly, that he might read his message in person. This was something of an innovation, and Representative Mohler, of Saline county, with thirteen others entered a protest against such a proceeding, giving as their reasons therefor, 1st—because it was not authorized by the constitution; 2nd—such a joint session was not really the legislature of Kansas; and 3d—it was a departure from established precedent. ”

“ Anthony had introduced an innovation at the commencement of his administration, in requesting a joint session to hear his message, he introduced no less an innovation at its close, in submitting a retiring message, partly a review of his official acts and partly suggestions for the future. This message bears the date of Jan. 13, 1879, and in a prefatory note to the incoming governor, Gov. Anthony says: “Sir: Impelled by a sense of duty, I have prepared, and herewith hand you, a communication to the legislature. ”

“ For governor, D. P. Mitchell; lieutenant-governor, Alfred Taylor; secretary of state, T. P. Leach; auditor, A. B. Cornell; treasurer, A. G. Wolcott; attorney-general, Frank Doster; superintendent of public instruction, I. T. Foot; chief justice, H. V. Vrooman. Frank Doster was later made the candidate for Congress in the third district, the vote of the Greenback party generally going to J. F. Cox, the Democratic candidate for attorney-general. The candidates for Congress in the first and second districts were Elbridge Gale and P. P. Elder, respectively. ”