The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-09
CANNON ELECTED
SPEAKER Of HOUSE
AMID APPLAUSE
Illinois Man Accepts the
Honor in a Brief
Speech.
WILLIAMS HIS OPPONENT
Impressive Exercises at the
Capitol in Orga'lizing the
Lower Chamber.
WILLIAMS HIS OPPONENT

From 10 clock until the hour Of noon.
the floor of the House presented a bust
1 ling scene, with old and new Congress-
men and many visitors moving about.
At the stroke Of noon, Clerk Alexander
Mcdowell. Of Pennsylvania. let the gavel
/ fall, calling the House TO order. Chap
/ lain Couden. the blind preacher OF the
House. then offered a prayer while the
members stood with bowed heads
Proclamation Read.
The proclamation convening Congress
in extra session was read, and following
this the clerk proceeded to call the roll
of members according to States. Three
hundred and fifty OF the $50 members
accredited TO the House responder 70
their names. Clerk Mcdowell then an
nounced that a majority OF the mem
bers-elect were present. and that the
! first business would be the election OF
Speaker.
Representative Hepburn. the newly
elected chairman OF the Republican eau
Gus. arose slowly from his old seat on
the Republican side. and everyone on
the floor and in the galleries turned to
listen to him. He simply said:
Mr.. Clerk. I nominate for the ofice
of Speaker OF the House the Hon.
Joseph G. Cannon, a Representative
elect from the State OF Illinois.
Instantly the House broke into ap-
plause. the Republicans leading and
many members OF the minority sein-
ing in the outburst
Williams Nominated.
Mr. Hay Of Virginia. the chairman OF
the Democratic caucus. then arose and
| said: Mr.. Clerk. / nominate for the
office OF Speaker. the Hon John Sharp
/ Williams, a Represeutative-elect from
the State OF Mississippi"
/ AS the clerk read. the first two votes re-
corded We're for Mr.. Cannon. by Repre-
sentative Adams of Pennsylvania and
! Representative Adams OF Wisconsin.
( Mr.. Adamson. whose name was third on
the list. was the first to vote for Mr..
| Williams.
Result of Ballot.
/ The roll call resulted at l o'csock D.
m: Cannon. l9S; Williams. 16s. Clerk
/ Mcdowell then declared that Represen-
/ tative Cannon was elected Speaker OF
the FIfty-eighth Congress. There was
more Republican applause.
Representative Williams ard Repre-
sentative Grosvenor CRep., Ohio. were
appointed committee TO escort the new
! Speaker 10 the chair.
! A tremendous outburst Of applause
greeted the new Speaker as ne came
down the middle aisle. Representative
Williams raised his hand deprecatingly.
In a few well chosen words he intro
duced Mr.. Cannon. "It Is an honor" he
said. Ito Introduce any Speaker TO this
/ House, the greatest law-mal1ing body
on the face of the earth. 1t is an
/ especial honor to introduce TO this
House this particular Speaker. I con-
gratulate the majority for having Sc
lected their best type for this position.
| know that from him the minority will
always receive fair and Just considera-
ton"
Mr.. Cannon's Speech.
Speaker Cannon acknowledged the
compliment. bowling to the man who had
received the nomination for Speaker
from the minority Then reading from
prepared manuscript, he said:
Gentlemen. Members of the House: 1
appreciate the honor you confer in
choosing me as the presiding officer OF
the House.
After twenty-eight years service in
| the House, such an expression Ct Your
| confidence touches me profoundly.
thank you.
I
the office, 1 bring to the service sin
cere desire to acquit myself with cour-
| tesy, efficiency ard fairness. If I err
! II will be an error of the head, not or
the heart The contests on the floor
touching politics that abound n parti-
sanship will be spirited and earnest.
The majority determines. ! am quite
| sure that IN the consideration of the
peoples business. however, sharp may
be our differences, we will not forget
| that courtesy of demeanor which should
always be present between Iaanly oppo-
nents who honestly differ. IN the per-
| Torrance Of the duties OF Speaker. 1
bespeak the kindly cooperation of each
member of the House
II am ready to take the oath of office.
ne said in conclusion, raising his right
hand aloft. Thus he stood while Rep
lresentative Henry II. Bingham. of Penn
| sylvania. Father or the House." read
the prescribed oath.
so help you Cod" said Mr. Bingham.
in conclusion. in full. solemn tones Mr
Cannon nodded. his face aglow. but set
and earnest.
The ceremony creating new Speaker
was at an end.
The old House officers were reappoint-
ed by resolution adopted by the majority
against the minority slate. The Demo-
Gratis were. however, according to GUS
tom. accorded a pair clerk and three
special employees.
wait upon the President and the Senate
and advise beth that the HOu.;- is =
lsossion and ready for business.