Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-12-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

There was a very good attendance in the
galleries OF the House of Representatives
today to listen to the reading of the first
message of President Roosevelt. The MEN,
bers gathered early. chatting and discuss
ing prospective legislation. The main topic
was the personality of the new President.
Keen interest was manifested in what ne
would have to say in his message.
AS the hands OF the clock pointed to II
Speaker Henderson called the House to
order After the journal had been read and
approved Mr.. Cooper Crex) and MIR. Wood
(CaL), who were not present yesterday, APP
peared at the bar and were sworn in.
On motion of Mr.. Payne, the floor leader
of the majority, 1t was agreed that when
the House adjourn today it be to meet FRI
day.
The Speaker announced the appointments
OF the committee on rules as follows: Mr.
Henderson Uowa), Mr.. DalZell (Pa.), Mr..
and Mr.. Underwood (Ala.).
The only change in the committee was
the substitution of Mr.. Underwood for Mr.
Bailey (Texas), who is now member or
the Senate
Mr.. Bingham Pa.), at the head Of the
committee appointed to wait upon the Pres
ident, reported that'the committee, accom-
panied by a like committee of the Senate,
had performed its duty, and that the Pres
tdent had received their message with
pleasure and had said he would at once
communicate with the two houses in writ
ing. Two minutes later Major Pruden, as
sistant secretary to the President, appeared
at the main entrance and announced mes
sage from the President. The message
was taken to the Speakers desk, where
Speaker Henderson broke the seal.
"A message from the President of the
United States" he said, as he handed the
document to the reading clerk and directed
him to read it. Ordinarily presidential
messages at the opening of Congress are
listened to in perfunctory fashion, but to-
day throughout the reading the keenest
interest was manifested. Hardly member
left his seat until the reading was con-
cluded.
There was a slight murmur Of applause
when, in concluding the recommendation
for legislation to put down anarchy, the
clerk read, No matter calls more urgently
for the wisest thought of Congress"
The murmurs when this sentence was
read was followed by burst OF applause
when the clerk read: The American peo-
pie are slow to wrath, but when their
wrath is once kinded ii burns like con-
suming flame" Probably no other portion
of the message attracted SO much atten-
tion. as that relating to trusts.
No demonstration was evoked by the
reading of this portion Of the message, but
the recommendation for the re-enactment
of the Chinese exclusion law drew applause
from both sides Of the House.
The reading of the message was conclud-
ed in the House at 2:35 Mr.. Grosvenor then
offered the following resolution, which was
adopted without division:
Resolved, That committee OF one MEM
ber from each state represented In this
House be appointed on the part Of the
House to Join such committee as may be
appointed on the part of the Senate, to con-
slider and report by what token of respect
and affection IT may be proper for the Con-
gress of the United States to express the
deep sensibility of the nation to the tragic
death OF the late President William Mckin-
ley and that so much of the message Of the
President as relates to that deplorable
event be referred to such committee"
In pursuance of the terms of the resolu-
tion the Speaker appointed a committee
consisting of one member from each state
and territory.
The House then, as further mark OF re-
spect, adjourned.