Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-04
Awaiting the Arrivals.

The vanguard of the gallery contingent
made Its appearance as early as 10 o'clock
and found much of incidental interest in
watching the arrival OF members-veterans.
reincarnated congressional spirits and
kids Former Speaker j. Warren Kedfer
of Ohio was the focus of all eyes, on the
floor and in the galleries, when he strolled
down the main aisle in evening dress.
There are eighty-one kid members OF
the Fifty-ninth Congress and they were all
on deck and ready for business when the
gavel fell. Legislative ineXperience didn't
seem to worry most of them, and the
shoulders of others were bowed as IL the
responsibilities of a great nation weighed
heavily. Regulars in the galleries remarked
the unsual number of young men in the
Fifty-ninth Congress.
Election of Speaker
Clerk Mcdowell brought the House TO or
der promptly at noon, and Immediately
called for nominations for Speaker
Mr.. Cannon was placed in nomination for
Speaker by Mr.. Hepburn uowa), and tho
first applause of the session followed.
Mr.. Williams CMiss) was nominated on
behalf of the minority by Mr.. Henry
tTeNaS) provoking democra tic applause
Neither made nominating speeches and
the coll call for election of speaker at once
proceeded, the following teIlers supervising
the tally sheet: DENLY mich Dickson
-
Mr.. Cannon received 243 votes and Mr.
Williams 12S Clerk Mcdowell declared Mr.
Cannon duly elected speaker of the Fifty
ninth Congress"
''Uncle joe Cannon entered the hall es-
corted by Representative John Sharp VII
liams of Mississippi, the minority floor
leader.
Il take pleasure In introducing to the
members of the Fffty-ninth Congress-" said
Mr.. Williams, Joseph G. Cannon of IL
lnois, who will be and who is entitled 10
ba he Stanaa alraS. saF4 h &c
The applause that had greeted Mr. Cam
mons entrance into the chamber broke out
again, and when it had died away the
Speaker addressed the House He said.
Il thank you for the honor you have con-
feTred upon me, particularly as | NAV he
able TO consider your action as an indorse-
ment of my services as Speaker of the last
Congress. We are here as representatives
of the people. This House is the only place
where the voice of the majority of the peo-
pie, without intervening machinery, may d.
rectly express itself. Therefore our respon-
sibility, being more direct Is the greater.
As your Speaker l shall endeavor to preside
over your deliberations with fairness TO
both parties and TO every individual men,
ber When / have done that / may claim
to have fairly fulfilled the duties of Speaker
under the legislative law.
There is. however, duty for the whole
mem bership of this House, as well as for
the Speaker. The House is powerless with
out quorum, and the public business will
move slowly and unfortunately il mem
berS are absent from the sessions of the
House or from the sessions Of the COM
nlittees. Therefore I ask of you not only
charity for and patience with my own
shortcomings as the presiding officer. but
also prompt attendance and diligence on
your part, which alone can make our COM
ing session advantageous to the country.
Members Sworn In.
Mr.. Cannon was then sworn in Speaker
and by his direction the roll of states was
called in order that the members of the
Fgfty-ninth Congress might take the oath.
OF the whole number two-Representatives
Butler and Cox-refused TO be sworn. They
are Ouakers and the difficulty was settled
by having them affirm.
Contrary to expectations no objection
was made by the democrats to the seating
az Representative Anthony Michalek OF
chicago who, 1t has been claimed, Is not
IepaIIy a citizen of the United States. Mr..
MSchalek took the. cath with big batch
Of representatives from several states.
A "Scrap' Over the Seats.
when II came TO the apportionHient of
seats in the House there was quite little
scras,. The democrats, including Represen-
tative Williams, the minority leader. had
apparently forgotten that in the Fifty-sec-
ong Congress their party. which then had
an immense majority, had nearly pushed
the republican members OF the map. In tha
Fffty-third Congress they repeated the per-
formance and In the Fffty-fourth the re-
publicans had revenge complete and satt9-
factory Yet nevertheless Hr. Williams and
his colleagues gtrenuously objected TO being