The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-03
(By Associated Pre'ss.)

washington, Dec 2.-There was good
attendance in the galleries of the house
today to listen to the reading Of the
frst message of President Roosevelt.
The members gathered early, chatting
and discussing prospective legislation.
The main topic was the personality of
the new president. Keen interest was
manifested in what he would have to
say in his message.
AS the hands of the clock pointed to
~. Speaker Henderson called the house
to order. After the journal had been
read and approved Mr.. Cooper (Texas)
and Mr.. Wood California;, who were
not present yesterday, appeared at the
bar and were sworn in.
On motion of Mr.. Payne, the floor
leader Of the majority, it was agreed
that when the house adjourned today it
be to meet Friday.
Committee on Rules Appointed.
The speaker announced the appoint
ment of the committee on rules as fol-
lows: Mr.. Henderson of Iowa, Mr.. Dal
zell OF Pennsylvania, Mr.. Grosvenor of
Ohio. Mr.. Richardson Of Tennessee and
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama. The only
change In the committee was the SUBJ
etitution of Mr.. Underwood for Mr..
Bailey of Texas, who is now q member
Of the senate.
Mr.. Bingham of Pennsylvania, at the
head of the committee appointed to wait
upon the president, reported that the
committee, accompanied by a like COM
mittee from the senate, had performed
dts duty and that the president had
received their message with pleasure,
and said he would at once communicate
with the two houses in writing.
Reading Presidents Message.
Two minutes later Major Pruden, as
sistant secretary to the president, ap-
peared at the main entrance and an
nounced message from the president.
The message was taken to the speakers
desk, where Speaker Henderson at once
broke the seal.
"A message from the president of the
United States" he said as he handed the
document to the reading clerk and di-
rected him to read it.
Ordinarily presidential messages at the
opening of a congress are listened to
in perfunctory fashion, but today
throughout the reading the keenest in
terest was manifested. Hardly a member
left his seat until the reading was con-
cluded. There was q slight murmur of
applause when, in concluding the recon-
mendatiOn for legislation to put down
anarchy, the clerk read
Greeted With Applause.
mo matter calls more urgently for the
wisest thought Of congress-
The murmurs when this sentence was
read were followed by burst of ap-
plause when the clerk read:
THE American people are slow to
wrath, but when their wrath is once
kindled 1t burns like a consuming fame"
Probably no other portion of the mes
sage attracted SO much attention as that
relating to trusts. No demonstration
was evoked by the reading of this por-
ton Of the message, but the recon-
mendation for the re-enactment of the
Chinese exclusion law drew applause
from both sides of the house.
The reading Of the message was con-
cluded in the house at 2:35. Mr. Gros-
venor then offyred the following resolu-
ton which WIS adopted without divi-
sion:
In Memory Of Late President.
Resolved. That a committee of one
member 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 consider and report by what
token of respect and affection it may be
proper for the congress of the United
States to express the deep sensibility Of
the nation to the tragic death of the
late president. William Mckinley, 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 reso-
tuition the speaker appointed a commit
tee consisting of one member from each
state and territory.
The house then, as a further mark Of
respect, adjourned.