The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-12-07
WIND-UP WORK
OF CONGRESS
Starts Off Most AuspiciousIy at
National Capital.
LAWMAKERS ASSEMBLE
Opening Day Devoted to CongraiulatOry
Greetings Among Members House
and Senate Called to Order.

The second session Of tho ffty-ninth
congress was called to order Al noon
Monday in the national capital with
galleries crowded, mostly with women,
and the majority Of the members at
their desks.
The first day of a session never de-
yelops much of interest TO those used
to attending the sessions Of congress.
but no other day Of session seems
to possess greater charm for the av.
erage citizen.
The fact that both houses Of con
gross were to meet for the short SEES.
Sim had the effect early in the day
of giving the capitol an appearance
of activity such as il has not pre-
sented since adjournment last June
Senators and members Of the house
began to arrive early in the day and
there were many cordial greetings
In tho corridors and on the floors.
Speaker Cannon and many other
prominent members Of the house ar
rived at the capitol long before the
opening OF the house and engaged in
a reunion and informal discussion OF
probable issues which will occupy
their attention
The Japanese situation wis discuss
cd quite generally by the members
and the opinion was freely expressed
that measures affecting the Japanese
may be introduced in the house at
any time No effort was made to trans
act business. even In the committee
rooms. The day was given over abso-
lutely TO receptions and the formal
business Of opening The session
Practically all the veterans of the
senate were on hand, most Of them
looking hale and hearty, as if their
summer rest followed by busy cam
paign had agreed with them One Of
the familiar faces most missed was
that OF Senator Allison He had ar
ranged to remain at his home at Du-
buae. Iowa, until after the holidays
recess, leaving the work Of organiza-
ton for the younger members
senator Peuus, the Oldest member
who was not well at the close Of last
session, was one Of the first to arrive
at the capitol He sticks to his pet
phrase Of telling his colleagues how
young" he Is when reference is made
to his advanced years. r"
Vice President Fairbanks beamed
upon the two or three score Of sena-
tors who sought him out in his room
before the senate opened Most Of the
prominent democrats were in attend
ance, one sexception being Bailey, who
left Washington a few days ago for
his home in Texas to meet and an
swer. direct the charges brought
against him by the attorney general
Numerous expressions of regard for
Senator Bailey were heard and his
friends predict that be will be able TO
answer fully the charges which have
been published, Bailey is looked upon
by his colleagues as one Of the strong
est men in the democratic minority
and has many warm admirers in
Washington.
Representative Lands of Indiana in
troduced aShin requiring all railroads
to use the automatic block signal on
their lines. This bin was inspired
by the recent disastrous wreck on the
Southern ia which President Spencer
lost his life.
It took the senate fifteen minutes
to arrange its prelimiparies and the
house an hour The senate received
from President Roosevelt a long list
of appointments for its confirmation.
Senator Penrose OF Pennsylvania
and Foraker Of Ohio came forward
with resolutions Of inquiry regarding
the discharge of the negro troops
OF the twenty-fifth infantry one was
addressed to the president. and the
other to the secretary OF war After
the ripple OF surprise had passed, and
Vice President Fairbanks had sug-
gested that II was unusual to trans
act any business until the presidents
message had been received, the reso-
buttons went over" by unanimous con.
sent
Not Sin years has larger number
of members-elect of the lower house
Of congress presented themselves. at
the speakers desk to take the oath
Of Office. Death has been unusually
active among the membership during
the closing days .of the last session,