The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-06

A
tee on Banking and Currrn,y-ucn
VINO VIII represent Oklahoma I'm
senate Extended the Courtesy of tho
Floor.
Washington, December The an
hual message OF President Roosevelt.
was read today in both houses OF
congress and practically no business
was attempted by either BODY beyopd
listening to the message. The CALLER
les OF both the senate and the housa
were crowded at the bgiuninp of m.
session OF each body, but as the read-
ing progressed the attendance dim
lnlshed somewhat In the main, how
ever, 1t was we'll maintained until
the last sentence of the document had
fallen from the lips Of the official
readers. Senators and members were.
supplied with printed copies OF tho
message and many of them followed
the reading clerks with scrupulous
care. The reading consumed about
two and one-quarter hours in each
of the houses.
The house did not today follow I'm
the lead of yesterday in the matter
Of the introduction of many bills. but
some measures were presented In the
senate so far no bills have been intro
duced, but there Is scarcely a senator
whose desk is not well covered with
these documents, and It is probable
that the flood will break out in that
body tomorrow.
Speaker Cannon treated the house
TO a slight surprise in announcing the
membership Of the committee on bank
ing and currency. This advance for
nation of that committee led to the
conclusion on the part OF many that
1t was his intention to press financial
legislation, but those who are close
to the speaker say that his only pur-
pose was to afford a depository for
petitions and letters bearing upon the
currency question. The membership
of the committee was increased by
the addition of one democrat, making
seven members Of that party on II in
stead of six as during the fifty-ninth
the request Of Minority Leader Will
liams. but il is said that it was not
to be taken as an indication that this
request will be complied with in all
the other committees.
Both the senate and the house a1-
iOurned almost Immediately after the
conclusion OF the reading OF the mes
sage. The house adjournment was nm
til Thursday, when it is said that It
will again adjourn for the week
Mr.. Gore and Mr.. Owen. the two gem
tlemen chosen by primary election To
represent the new state Of Oklahoma
in the senate, appeared on the floor Of
the senate and occupied seats set apart
for them for some time, listening to
the presidents message. Fhis was
plain extension Of what is known as
senatorial courtesy inasmuch as nell
ther senator has as yet been legally
elected 10 serve in the senate.
The house Of representatives as
sembled today with but one object In
view. which was 10 listen 10 the read
ing OF the presidents message and
adjourn. The galleries showed that
the interest in the public proceedings
Of the house was almost as great as
on the opening day.
The speaker announced that he had
received a communication that ordi-
narily he would refer to committee
after the organization Of the house.
but he though ii so important he "ohia
have It read at once. The paper proved
70 be a telegram from the Oklahoina
legislature TO the house OF represen-
tatives: =,
"ntlahoma's first state legislature
~ stated, "iust organized, inspired hy
The fond reality OF local self-govern-
ment sends greetings to the sixtieth
congress of the greatest nation on
| Garth and conveys TO her sister states
= message Of progress and prosperity
and loyal devotion TO the union ana
| the common good.
The speaker himself read this mes
cage in an impressive manner and a.
he concluded the house broke into ap'
plause. A recess was then taken ufa
1890 O'Clock.