Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-11-12
CONGRESS CONVENED
Yesterday Mainly Devoted 70 Per-
sonal Greetings and Organization.
rHEBILLSUrRODUCD HTHE HOUSE

Measures TO Crsats . ststs Out Of the In
dian Territory and Oklahoma and 10
Restore Army Csnteen--Cnnn0n
Elected Speaker.
Washington, Nov. 1O.-The Fifty
eighth congress convened in extraor-
binary session at noon yesterday In
accordance with the proclamation Of
President Roosevelt for the purpose Of
enacting legislation necessary to make
effective the Cuban reciprocity treaty.
The day was devoted simply to per-
sonal greetings and organization.
with galleries crowded, with the
chamber q mass Of elaborate floral
tributes and nearly every senator
in his seat, the gavel of Presi-
dent Pro Tenn. Frye called the SEN
ate together in the second extraordi-
nary session Of the Fifty-eighth con-
gress. The special session Of the SEN
ate following the adjournment last
spring Of the Fifty-seventh congress
eliminated much Of the routine work,
which otherwise would have been per-
formed. New senators had gone
through the formalities Of taking oaths
Of Office, seats had been assigned, and
with the exception Of the appointment
Of some vacancies all functions Of the
organization had been completed.
When Senator Hanna arrived he was
greeted with cheers which increased to
thunderous applause when he was fol-
lowed a moment later by Senator Cor
man and the two met in the center
aisle for cordial handshake. At the
roll call 10 senators answered and
President Pro Tenn. Frye declared q
quorum present. The senate was in
session only IA minutes.
The house Of representatives of the
Fifty-eighth congress yesterday held
its first session and, except for the
naming of committees, which will fol-
low later, organization was completed.
Joseph G.. Cannon, of Illinois, whose
election to the speakership was as-
sured months ago. was formally elected
speaker and indicted into office. Mr..
Cannon received the applause Of demo-
Gratis and republicans alike when he
took up the gavel of authority, the
demonstration being most compile
to the newly-elected speaker.
He was at once at ease In the speak
er's chair, having filed 1t so often
during his many years Of
service in the house. The old officers
were reelected and the customary res
buttons adopted providing for the ap-
pointment Of committee to notify the
president and senate Of the election Of
! speaker and clerk and committee
TO join senate committee to notify
he president Of the presence Of 0
quorum in the two bodies. The rules
II the Fifty-seventh congress were
ldopted for the Fifty-eighth congress
~ an aye and nay vote after brief dis
,ussion, during which the minority
ought to secure an increase in the
making $12 the mini
Drawing Of seats, in which old and i
,ew members alike take deep concern. {
occupied q greater portion of the days
ession. A pretty compliment was
laid the leaders and veterans Of both
ides in this connection, they being
'ermitted to select their seats without ,
rawing lots. Il
Several hundred bills were intro l
uced in the house, among them be- I
ng statehood bill for New Mexico, I
0 restore the army canteen, giving +
ongress the right to regulate the d
rusts, to increase the pay of rural free @
elivery carriers, to provide a terrific
Ial form of government for Alaska, r
, abolish government by Injunction. Il
D elect senators Dy popular vote, for v
n eight-hour day, establishing the +
letric system Of weights and meas =
res, creating state out Of the Indian !,
srritory and Oklahoma, to open for
sttlement 505,000 acres Of land in the :,
iowa, Comanche and Apache Indian 4
making $12 the mini q
lum pension per month Of all PEN !
oners who have reached the age Of !,
and prescribing the death penalty =,
,r the crime Of killing the president n
the United States, the vice president, q
or ministers Of foreign .
,untries accredited to the United "
tates. Il
uE pn0nTE TNVECTTGATTnW n