The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-11-14
58TH CONGRESS
IN EXTRA SESSION
Assembled In Response to the
Presidents Proclamation.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE TO-DAY
Joe" Cannon Elected Speaker
-interesting scenes In Both Cham
bcrs-Reciprocity with Cubn
the Min object of Session.

Washington, Nov. 10.-The house Of
repr, sentatives, of the Fifty-eighth
congress, Monday held its first session,
and except for the naming OF COM
mittees which will follow later, or
ganization was completed Joseph G.
Cannon, Of Illinois, whose elevation
to the speakership was assured months
ago, was formally elected speaker and
indicted into office
Ovation to Mr.. Cannon.
Mr.. Cannon received the applause Of
democrats and republicans alike when
he took up the gavel of authority, the
demonstration being most compliment
airy to the newly-elected speaker. He
was at once at ease in the speakers
c-air having filled it so often tempo
rarily during his many years of service
in the house. The old officers were re-
elected, and the customary resolutions
adopted providing for the appointment
of a committee to notify the president
and senate of the election of a speaker
and clerk and a committee to join a
senate committee to notify the presi-
dent Of the presence of a quorum in
the two bodies. The hour of meeting
was fixed for II o'clock. The rules of
the Fifty-seventh congress were adopt
cd for the Fifty-eighth congress by an
Of ri Of Il c
cussion, during which the minority
sought to secure an increase in tie
democratic representation on the COM
mttees.
Floral Tributes to Members.
The drawing OF seats, in which cid
and new members alike take deep coz
Germ, occupied greater portion of the
days. session. A pretty compliment
was paid to the leaders and veterans Of
both sides in this connection, they be-
ing permitted to select their seats with
out drawing lots.
When most of the members had
drawn seats messengers began bring
ing in the floral tributes and placing
them on the desks, but the confusion
resulting from applause caused the
speaker to direct that no more be
brought in. Some of those brought in
were most elaborate. One piece, made
to represent locomotive, amid laugh
ter was placed on the desk of Mr..
Baker, New York, who offered a resolu-
ton that the democratic members do
not accept fayors or passes from rail-
roads
Relating to Isthmian Question.
Mr. Hit UllD offered the following
resolution: Resolved, by the house
OF representatives, that the president
be requested to communicate to the
| house, if not incompatible with the in
! terest of the public service, all CORE
spondence and other official documents
relating to the recent revolt in the
isthmus Of Panama" 1t was agreed to,
hills Introduced.
Among other bills introduced were
the following: BY Mr., Tawney (Minn),
to prevent the giving of premiums with
packages of tobacco
Mr. Wanger (Penn), to establish a
national military park at Valley Forge,
Mr. Stephens (TeX), creating a state
out Of the Indian territory and Okla
homa; providing for the leasing for
grading purposes of arid lands; TO pro-
vide for the equitable distribution be-
tween the United States and Mexico
of the waters of the Rio Grandc river;
to open for settlement sos 600 acres
OF land in the Kiowa, ComancEe and
Apache Indian reservations
Mr. Mudd (Md5, for the reconstruc-
ton Of a free ship canal as means
of military and naval defense through
the straits of Maryland and Delaware,
MIR Mayor PENN, making $l2 the
minimum pensions per month of all
pensioners who have reached the age
Of G3,
Mr. Slayden (TeXD, subjectIng goods,
wares and merchandise made by con-
y,cts TO the laws of the state or ter
rtory into which they are transported,
Mr.. Bartholdt (Mo), restoring the
army canteon.
On motion OF Mr.. Payne On ,Y) the
house at 3,35 p. m, adjourned,
oo,i vArrc, ruDOAT cOpC