The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-11-13
EXTRA SESSION OF
CONGRESS OPENS
No Attempt Was Made tc
Transact Serious Business
the First Day.
CANNON WAS NOMINATED
Republican Caucus Saturday Named
Him for the Speakership-Gen-
eral Good I1umor at the
Sessions Opening.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE Fifty.
eighth congress convened in extraor-
binary session at noon Monday, in ac,
| cordance with the proclamation OF
| President Roosevelt, for the purpose OF
| enacting legislation necessary to make
| effective the Cuban reciprocity treaty
| Ihe Gay was devoted simply to per
sonal greetings and organization.
Ihe house assembled the largest
| membership in it's history, and the
scene before the gavel fell in that body
was one OF animation, both on the floor
and in the cloak rooms, lobbies 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
plete renovation. Within crowds of
eager spectators, both men and women,
thronSed the corridors and rotunda
early in the day, and the galleries, to
which admission was had by card only,
We're taxed to their capacity long before
the hour of assembling arrived. The
committee rooms, which had been in
the hands of renovaturs during the re-
cess, were thrown open and many in
formal receptions held by popular
chairmen.
With the speakershiD question out of
the way i'll the universal endorsement
of Cannon, there is nothing to worry
the legislative mind and the day was
given up to the sentiment of the occa-
sion. Many handsome floral tributes
to members We're borne in unusual pro-
fusion to the lObbies back of both the
senate and house chambers, to be
placed later on the desks of members,
The new members of the house re-
ceived their initiation to the tioorleep-
ers and house employees, and many
were turned back for Identification be-
cause OF their slight hesitation on pre-
senting themselves for admission. Such
incidents contributed to the general
lFely animation and good hunor of the
occasion.
Flowers in the Senate.
The senate was called to order by
President Pro TEN Try and the house
by Clerk Mcdonnell
Senator -Eanna's pronounced victory
in the Ohio election Won for him one
Of the most pretentious floral designs
ever seen in the senate. 1t was a shield
377a by AZ feet of blue irnmortelles, in
which were wrought out in California
grasses ribbon of red, white and blue,
end a design Of an American ca gle 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 We're banked around Senator
Hanna's desk. Senator Gorman's tri-
umph III the Maryland election was
recognized by a handsome wreath more
than 2 feet in diameter with cross Of
cluster of roses, carnations and chry-
s2nthe1nums as its base.
r' Election of a Speaker.
Rev. a. j. Prettynan of WASHINGTON
made the invocation in the senate
After Mallory Of Florida had taken the
oath, HOar and Gof1nan We're an
pointed a committee to join the house
committee to inform the president that
congress was ready to receive any com
nlunicatiOn. The senate adjourned at
12:14 o'clock
After prayer by the chaplain in the
house, roll call followed. Three hun
dred 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 We're made. Tellers were
appointed and a roll called. Cannon
was elected, receiving 1873 votes to 1865
for Williams.
Williams of Mississippi and Grosven-
or of Ohio were appointed committee
to notify Mr.. Cannon of his election,
ana to escort him to the speakers chair
When Mr.. Cannon reached the Speak
arose and applauded vociferously Mr..
Williams Introduced Speaker Cannon,
saying:
Il think the majority have selected
their best type, and 1 am satisfied the
minority Will be given full measure of
fairness and inpartiality from him.
MIR. Cannon made Il brief response,
rendering thanks .or the honor, and
the oath OF office was then" adminis-
tered to him by Bingham of Pennsyl-
Vania, father of the house."
The members We're then sworn in by
MI. Cannon, following which resolu-
ton was adopted re-electing the old
officers of the house.
Among several hundred bills intro
udced in the house today were these:
Statehood bill for New Mexico; restor-
ing the army canteen; giving congress
the right to regulate trusts; to increase
the pay OF rural Tree delivery carriers;
providing a terrific form of govern
li4ent tor Alaska; to abolish govern
lnent by Injunction; to elect senators
Dy popular vote; to grant rebates on
exports and imports car led in Amer
lean ships.