Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-12-08
A new CONGRESS.
First Session of s9th Congress Con-
vened Monday. "UncIe Joe"
Cannon Reelected Speaker.


Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, was
named by the Democrats as the minorit,
leader.
The Republicans have nearly 2 to IL
both Houses over the Democrats.
Senator John w. Daniel, of Virginia
the friend of the Memorial Bridge anC
the jamestown Exposition bills in the
Senate, was one of the early arrivals a
the Capitol. The Senator has a number
of bills tucked away for this year:
Congress that will be of interest.
Representative Swanson and Mrs
Swanson have arrived in Washington
and taken suite at the New Willard
where they viii reside until Mr.. Swan
son takes the oath of office as Governor
of Virginia on the first of February
Mr.. Swanson said it was his intention
to resign his position as member OF
the Ways and Means Committee, pro
vided he could induce Representative
John Sharp Williams, the minority lead
er, to appoint some other Virginian t.
the place. This Mr.. Williams refuses
to DO. For some reason he has not q
particular, penchant for the Virgins
members, preferring the Democrats
from the far South to those of the OLD
Dominion. t. 81
The passing of the old leaders in the
Senate was strikingly emphasized in a
little incident. Senator Teller met Sena.
tor Allison in the corridor and said
Mr.. Allison, Twenty-Five years ago to-
day | was sworn in as Senator of the
United States. You are the only mem.
Der of the body besides myself who was
here then. l also learned today that
there is not a single employee of the
Senate who was here at that time. We
are getting old, Senator; we are getting
old. " Tears sprang to the eyes of both
of these gray-haired veterans, and as
Mr.. Teller moved away, Senator Allison
said to the friend with whom he was
talking: Senator Teller is right; we
are getting old. 1t won't be long before
there will be other boys here to take
our places. l..
MANY BILLS.
About $500 bills were presented the
first day. OF these only 5S1 related to
matters of public interest.
There will be no tariff revision this
time, the President being satisfied to
get a railroad rate regulation bill
through. In this he will have to resort
to Democratic aid.
One of the two Quaker members in
troduced a bill to cut out, root and
branch, all forms of hazing. and more
the so-called code of honor
that is enforced against the Iower-class
men at West Point and Annapolis.
The Presidents message was sent in
Tuesday. Mr.. Roosevelt pleads for the
creation of commission to regulate
railway rates and for federal control of
companies. He reiterates his
declaration that the United States, to
make the Monroe doctrine effective.
must guarantee the good behavior of
the Latin republics. He urges the need
Of new warships to take the place of old
vessels. Regarding Panama he is
optimistic. r-.. r....
kids" IN THE HOUSE.
The eighty or more kid members
If the new House gambolIed about on
he old rose carpet, most of them look
ng very much like the bridegrooms who
With their brides sat in the galleries.
They were washed and shaven and shorn
md all had on their best clothes. They
ried to mingle with the old members.
tut they were coldly received, and they
lad little to do except stand around
nd wonder what it was all about. One
II the kids unwittingly went to the
daughter early in the game. Repre-
Williams, of Mississippi, the
leader, was appealing to what
lie termed the ''kids" to stand by the
Democrats in preventing the adoption
Il two rules of the late Congress, when
representative Wharton, of Chicago,
.sked if he could interrupt. Certainly. %
Mr.. Williams, courteously.
II would like to ask the gentleman
rom Mississippi question:" Mr..
Wharton said with quayer in his voice.
What does the gentleman mean and
o whom does he refer when he saws
The Kids of this House'?'' s.sf, a..
"A glance at my interrogation will
answer the question: said Mr.. Williams
The House roared with
aughter. Mr.. Wharton sat down and
began to blush. 81 am sorry that did
lot answer the question with that de-
sree OF reverence which the person of
py interrogation wouldnaturally excite, :"
nr. Williams added causing more
aughter, a0l.
The new members began gathering at
he Capitol almost as soon as the scrub
men and laborers. They insisted on
,etting lost in the maze of corridors.
-wo Missourians were caught climbing
ne iron steps to the dome in an effort to
md out where they We're to be sworn
.. Both are Republicans, and the
oliceman who found them refused to
I'VE their names for fear they might
ct him ousted from his job. l
Representative Tyndall, of Missouri, !
efused to ride up in the elevator. He
ard ne was not accustomed to them aft
parta, Mo-, and that, having tired of
hem at st. Louis, he wanted no more /
them. ,i.s ......-... sf SD
But all the new members successfully
edged trolley cars and cabs and arrived
safety, and they were cropping about I
hen Clerk Mcdowell called the House
order at noon. 1tgi cr-gf -o4 s5d
ord 2. 4
.. FISH AMI 0VSnp l".I