Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-10
ssTH CONGRESS.
Continued from page ~

| being among this number. Among the
| spectators were public officers, dlplo-
| mats and Il great many out-of-to"n
| visitors.
| The floral display in the Speaker
lobby was never more elaborate than
today. The popular members on both
sides were remembered by friends III
lavish fashion.
| The bright colors Of smart gowns. the
| flowers and other scenes usual on
l first day lent picturesqueness to the
occasion. During the hour or two prior
to the opening, members kept coming
n. The leaders of both sides were
| early on the scene. Old friends and as
| sociates met and chatted. New men,
)ers were introduced to their colleagues.
| First of Importance among today S
| events was the election of Mr.. Cannon
as Speaker, next was the swearing in
Of the members and the drawing for
seats.
| Many familiar figures Of the last
Congress were missed. today, some re-
firing voluntarily, others failing of re-
election and a few going to the Senate.
Ialusha A. Grow, the veteran member
! rom pennsylvania, and former
Speaker, was among the absent ones.
| The Democrats. today, rallied around
a new leader, Williams (MississippD
having been chosen to take the place of
Richardson (TexaS) who retired from
the leadership of the minority.
AT quarter to 9 the floor was cleared
of all save those entitled to remain
within the law-making chamber, but
he humming was not lessened to per-
ceptible degree. Promptly at noon
Clerk of the House Alexander Mellow
| I'll dropped the gavel, formally calling
| he House to order. Prayer by the
| chaplain followed.
| After a call of the roll by states, the
| Jerk called for nominations for speak
IT. Hepburn QowN, chairman of the
| Republican caucus, formally nominat-
| ID Williams (Miss). No speeches were
| made in making the nominations. The
oil then was called.
| The mention of Cannon's name was
| received with applause on the Repub-
| lean side and that of Williams as the
| minority candidate was likewise greet
| I'd on the Democratic side. The red
| ,arnatiOn was much in evidence on the
| Republican side, fully one-third of the
| members of the majority side wearing
| he blossom on coat lapels.
| 1t was just seven minutes on 1 when
| showing Cannon to have received 1913
votes and Williams 166, Cannon be-
| ng declared duly elected as Speaker of
| he House. The announcement was re-
| ceived with applause on the Republic
| IAN side. Williams (Miss), and Gros-
| venor (Ohio), We're appointed a COM
| mittee to notify Cannon of his election
| and to escort him to the Speakers
| chair.
| After Cannon entered the north door
| with Williams and Grosvenor, the ap-
| plause beginning with a ripple, grew
| in its intensity as he approached the
| Speakers desk. Members of both sides
| Of the chamber arose and joined in the
! ovation to the newly-elected Speaker.
| Williams introduced Cannon, saying:
| Gentlemen of the House of Repre-
| sentatives: 1t is a high honor to pre-
sent Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives-the greatest parliamentary
body on the surface of the earth. 1t
Is an especial honor to present this
House this particular Speaker. l think
| the majority have selected their best
] type and l am satisfied the minority
| will be given q full measure of fairness
| and impartiality from him. l have
| the honor to present your Speaker, the
Hon. Joseph G. Cannon of Illinois"
| CONTINUED applause on both sides of
| the chamber).
| Mr.. Cannon in brief response said:
| "Gentlemen, members of the House:
| appreciate the honor you confer in
choosing me as the presiding officer of
the House. After SO years of service
in the House, such an expression of
your confidence touches me profoundly.
thank you. In the performance of the
duties of the office I bring to the SER
vice Il, sincere desire to acquit myself
with courtesy, efficiency and fairness.
If err, It will be an error of the head,
not of the heart.
'The contests on the floor touching
policies that abound in partisanship
will be spirited and earnest. The ma
jority determines. I am quite sure
that i'm the consideration Of the peO-
pies business, however sharp may be
our differences, we will not forget that
courtesy and demeanor which should
always obtain between manly oppo-
nents. who honestly differ.
'Tn the performance of the duties of
| Speaker, I bespeak the kindly cooper
alton of each member of the House.
| Bingham, Pa, called the father OF
| the House." title bestowed by reason
Of his having seen the longest contin-
uous service, administered the oath to
the Speaker. The members were then
sworn in by Mr.. Cannon.
| Following this a resolution was
adopted rc-electing the old officers OF
the House: Alexander Mcdowell, clerk;
Henry Casson, sergeant-at-arnS'
Frank 3. Lyon, doorkeeper; ]. c. Nc
I1lroy. postmaster, and Rev. II. N. Cou-
den, chaplain.
| BY resolution, the Speaker appointed q
committee to notify the President and the
Senate of the election of Mr.. Cannon as
Speaker and Mr.. Mcdowell as clerk An
other resolution was adopted for the ap-
pointment of committee to JON coTi'
| mittee from the Senate to notify the
| President of the presence of q quorum
| in the two houses and that they were
| ready to receive any communication ne
may have to make. The Speaker appoint
| ed the following: Tawney, Mimi Caproll'
u williams Mics and DaIZctl, ia.