The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-12-07
CONGRESSCONVENES'
JOSEPH G. CANNON BEGINS THIRD
TERM AS SPEAKER.
Other Officers Of the House Also Re-
eIected-congressmen concede Fin
anciaI Legislation First Place, But
Are at Sea As to Measures.


night nominated by the Republican
members of the House of Representa-
tives for his third term as Speaker,
and was reelected to that office upon
the converting of the House at IL
made in caucus held in the House
of Representatives, which was attend
ed by practically all of the 236 Re
publican members.
The caucus was called to order by
Representative Hepburn, of Iowa, who
presided, and within an hours time
the nomination not only of the Speak
er, but of all the officers of the House,
was completed and an adjournment
taken. The other officers chosen
were:
Alexander Mcdowell, Pennsylvania,
clerk; Frank B. Lyon, New York,
doorkeeper;- Henry Casson, Massachu-
sets, sergeant-at-arms, and Samuel
w. Langum, Minnesota, postmaster.
| At Sea as to Measures.
| Never at the beginning of any CON
gress have the congressional leaders
Of both parties found themselves more
at sea concerning legislation than they
are on the eve of the converting of
the present assembly Of the national
Legislature, which opened at noon with
the usual formalities. Very little ex-
cept the financial situation is engag-
ing the attention of any member of
either house, and all the members of
| both houses, whether leaders or fol-
lowers, confess their inability to fore
cast what may be done on that sub
ject. All of them lament the present
situation, but all of them do not be-
lieve that the remedy for it is to be
found in legislation. Those who be-
lieve that such remedy will prove
effective are in the majority, but their
opinions as to means vary so widely
| that all admit the great difficulty of
getting together. There is some gen
eral division along party lines, but
there is also great divergence of views
among both Republicans and Demo
Gratis. In view of this state of affairs,
it is evident that very little attention
| will be given to other questions until
| there can be some Capitalization of
/ thought on the financial problem.
Rate Law Mentioned.
In his speech of acceptance last
might, Speaker Cannon intimated the
possibility of some amendments to the
railroad rate law, and it is possible
that something may be attempted in
that line.
| Among other subjects which will re-
ceive serious attention will be the
question of taxing the sales made on
the stock exchange. The Philippine
tariff bill, and the bills for the admis-
sion of New Mexico and Arizona as
states, will be introduced early in the
session. The friends of the scheme
for the deepening of the. channel of
the Mississippi river will undertake
to inaugurate that enterprise during
the session. The president will recon-
mend an enlargement of the navy.
The men who do most to formulate
the policies of the two houses are put
| ting their heads together with the
| view of securing an adjournment Of
the session at as early date as pos
sible.
/ The Speaker will make an effort to
get the house committees in working
order before the holidays, and eau
Gus Of the Republican senators will be
held today after the adjournment of
the senate for the. purpose of starting
the machinery toward the organization
of the senate committees.