Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-04
THE OPENING OF CONGRESS.


ington's great annual show. The ex-
hibits were varied and interesting On
the Senate side was Vice President Fair
banks, in the presiding officers chair;
SpOoner, from Wisconsin, wreathed in
smiles due to the absence, perhaps, of
his political rival, La Toilette, who didn't
see his way clear to abandon the guber-
Material rein at home to be sworn in as
senator; Blackburn more interesting a
figure than ever because of the fight
that is being waged against him in
Kentucky by the adherents of the old
Goebel machine, who want Judge Payn-
ter to succeed him; Plat and Depew, OF
New York, still in the ring despite the
rumors Of their impending resignation;
Foraker, of Ohio, leader of the anti
administration forces in the railroad rate
war; German. o. Maryland, and Ray
ner, the new member from that State;
Knox, of Pennsylvania, former Attor-
ney- General; Smoot, the Mormon apos-
tie, who has been under fire ever since
be landed in the Senate; Carter, Of Mon
tana, who returns after several years OF
retirement. There we're others, two for
whom the public looked in vain--Bur-
ton, of Kansas, and Mitchell, of Oregon.
On the House side the same kind of a
holiday throng overlooked the public
and private galleries, the ladies, as
usual, contributing the touch OF color
to make the picture attractive. Here,
too, on the floor were plenty Of celebri-
ties. There were Lorimer, of Chicago,
and BrownlOw, of Tennessee, two
"bosses" who survived the recent cata-
clysm. There were SullOway, OF New
Hampshire; James, of Kentucky, and
Barchfeld, of Pennsylvania, six feet six
in their stocking feet. Then there was Mr..
Cannon, the Speaker, just as young as
ever; Cousins, the Demosthenes of his
State; Curtis, Campbell and Bowersock,
rival candidates for the Senate from
Kansas; Hoar, of Massachusetts, new
member; Tawney, of Minnesota, slated
for the craftsmanship OF the approoria-
tons committee; Williams, Of Mississip-
pi the democratic floor leader, and De
Almond, the Missourian, whose rapid
fire wit and singing sarcasm are at once
the delight and terror Of the House.
Bourke Cochran, the Tammsny orator;
Nick Longworth, of Ohio, to get a
glimpse of whom the ladies particu larly
craned their necks, because of his atten-
ton to the Presidents daughter, Miss
Alice. Keifer, of Ohio, speaker OF
the 47th Congress, returning to pub
lie life after nearly quarter of century:
Bingham, of Pennsylvania, the Gather
of The House." who administered the
oath of Office to Speaker Cannon. For
the FIRST time IN years, nota single flower
adorned the desks in either House or
Senate. Many orders placed with local
florists were cancelled at the last minnie,
when it was learned that the new rule
would be enforced. Such floral tributes
as did find their way up Capitol hill
we're consigned either to the committee
rooms of the members, or forwarded to
their homes and boarding houses. Hun
dreds who came to see only the horticult-
ural part of the show were sadly dissap-
pointed.
The formal proceedings in both Sen
ate and House were OF interest in the
main only because Congress hasn't been
in session since last spring, They fol-
lowed the regular routine for opening
days. In the Senate, the most speclacu-
lar feature was the swearing in OF new
members; in the House, the election of
Speaker Cannon, his speech, and the
drawing of seats by the members. No
attempt was made to transact other pub
lie business, an agreement having been
reached that both houses should adjourn
over until tomorrow before receiving the
Presidents annual message.
SENATE.
When Vice President Fairbanks en-
tered the Senate chamber, at minute
to twelve o'clock, to rap the assemblage
to order almost every member was In
his place. Mrs. Fairbanks and men,
bers of her family we're in the gallery.
As the gavel fell, Chaplain Hale,
read from First Kings, and invoked
Divine guidance for the Senators in the
discharge of their duty. A roll-call
showed 6S Senators present.
The customary resolutions, one pro-
viding for the appointment of a commit
tee to wait upon the President, another
instructiDg the secretary to notify the
House OF representatives that quoruk
of the Senate was present and ready tor
business, and the last fixing the daily
hour of meeting at noon, we're adopted.
The chair appointed Messrs. Allison
and Morgan as the committee to wait
upon the President.
Mr. Bulkeley of Connecticut, an
nounced the death of his for ner col
league, Oryille H. Plat. He presented
resolutions of respect for the memory of
one who had been a member OF the
Senate for quarter of century, which
were agreed to. As further mark OF re-
spect, the Senate then adjourned.
The session lasted exactly twenty
minutes.
HOUSE.
AT IL O'Clock Clerk of the House Nc
Dowell declared that "the House will
come to order.
Rev. Mr.. Couden, the blind chaplain,
offered up prayer for the safety of the
members and guidance in their duties.
Clerk Mcdowell then ordered a call of
the roll. This consumed twenty minutes.
M;ss l;,a RooaavaIt accouna Mod nv