The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-11-13
EXTRA SESSION OF
CONGRESS OPENS
No Attempt Was Made to
Transact Serious Business
the First Day.
CANNON WAS NOMINATED
Republican Caucus Saturday Named
Him for the Speakership-Gen-
eraI Good Humor at the
Sessions Opening.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE Fifty
eighth congress convened in eXtraor
binary session at noon Monday, in &C
%Icordance with the proclamation of
president Roosevelt. for the purpose of
enacting legislation necessary to make
defective the Cuban reciprocity treaty.
The day was devoted simply to per-
,sonal greetings and organization.
The house assembled the largest
membership in Its history, and the
:scene before the gavel fell in that body
and in the cloak rooms. Hobbies and
corridors. The day was crisp and
bright and the capital building present.
ed the appearance of a new structure,
with its coat Of white paint and COM
iplete renovation. Within crowds Of
eager spectators, both men and women,
%thronged the corridors and rotunda
early in the day, II the galleries, to
which admission was had by card only,
were taxed to their capacity long before
the hour Of assembling arrived. The
lcommlttee rooms, which lad been in
the hands Of renovators during the re-
cess, were thrown open and many in
formal receptions held by popular
cha1rmen.
With the speakership question out of
the way In the universal endorsement
of Cannon, there Is nothing to worry
the legislative mind n the day was
given UP to the sentiment Of the occa-
sion. Many handsome floral tributes
to members were borne In unusual pro-
fusion to the Hobbies back Of both the
senate n house chambers. to be
placed later on the desks of members.
The new members of the house re-
'ceived their initiation to the doorkeep-
ers and house employees, and many
were turned back for identif1F ltion be-
cause Of their slight hesitation OF pre-
'senting themselves for admission. Such
incidents contributed to the general
lively animation n good humor Of the
occasion.
Flowers in the Senate.
The senate was called to order by
President Pro TEN Fry and the house
by Clerk Mcdonnell.
Senator Hanna's pronounced victory
in the Ohio election won for him one
of the most %pretentious floral designs
ever seen In the senate. 1t was q shield
3h by Az feet of blue im1nortelles, in
which were wrought out in California
grasses a ribbon Of red, white and blue,
end a design of an American eagle iden-
'tical with that on the silver quarter
dollar. The shield was surmounted
with a gorgeous cluster of American
beauty roses. The offering bore the
inscription Senator Mark Hanna, from
his friends. the Irish democratic club
of Cleveland" Fully a score of smaller
tributes were banked around Senator
Hanna's desk. Senator Germans tri-
umph In the Maryland election was
recognized by a handsome wreath more
than 2 feet in diameter with cross Of
%'cluster Of roses, carnations and chry-
santhemums as Its base.
Election of a Speaker.
Rev. A. J. Prettyman of Washington
~,o1o. tho ir1Tnoofion. In tho coro+o
After Mallory Of Florida had taken the
oath, Hoar and German were ap-
pointed a committee to join the house
committee to inform the president that
congress was ready to receive any COM
munication. The senate adjourned at
1874 o'clock.
After rayer by the chaplain In the
house. u roll call followed. Three hun
bred and fifty having answered, the
clerk called for nominations for speak
er. Hepburn of Iowa nominated Can
non, and Hay Of Virginia nominated
Williams Of Mississippi.
No speeches were made. Tellers We're
appointed and a roll called. Cannon
was elected, receiving 1913 votes to 166
for Williams.
Williams of Mississippi and Grosven-
or of Ohio were appointed a committee
to notify Mr.. Cannon of his election,
and to escort him to the speakers chair.
Ii When Mr.. Cannon reached the speak
ers' desk both sides of the chamber
arose and applauded vociferously. Mr..
Williams introduced Speaker Cannon,
saying:
1T think the majority have selected
their best type, and I am satisfied the
minority will be given full measure Of
fairness n impartiality from him."
Mr.. Cannon made a brief response,
rendering han COR the honor, and
the oath Of office was then admins
tered to him by Bingham Of Pennsyl-
vania, father of the house,"
The members We're then sworn in by
Mr.. Cannon. following which a resolu-
ton was adopted re-electing the old
officers Of the house.
Among several hundred bills intro
udced in the house today wera these:
Statehood bill for New Mexico; restor-
ing the army. canteen; giving congress
the right to regulate trusts; to increase
the pay of rura free delivery carriers;
providing a territorial form Of govern
ment for Alaska: to abolish govern
ment by Injunction; to elect senator's
by popular vote; to grant rebates on
exports and imports carried in Amer
team ships.
THE CAPITOL IS nDRYn