Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-03
THE sIxTIETH CONGRESS.
House and Senate Convened in Annual
Session Yesterday.

House and Senate Convened in Annual
Session Yesterday.
Washington, December 2: A bril-
liant scene characterized the meeting
of the sixtieth congress today. In the
senate and house Of representatives
there were notable gatherings IN the
galleries Of representatives Of the OF
fetal society of tho capital. The COM
ing together for the first time OF the
men who have been elected to the sem
ate and house, about 100 Of whom
have not before served in congress,
made the occasion one OF particular
interest.
The striking scenes Of the day were
in the house of representatives, where
the formal introduction Of Jos. Can
non to be again speaker of that body
and the designation by the Democrats
of Mr.. John Sharp Williams as their
leader, were occasions for ovations
for those gentlemen.
The vast hall of the house Of repre-
sentatives rang with cheers OF Repub-
licans and Democrats for their leaders
and the speaker received as warm a
reception from members of the minor
ity as he did from his own party.
In accepting the speakership, Mr..
Cannon said, in part:
I'VE are today organizing the six
tieth congress, marking the 11Sth
milestone in the history of govern
ment by the people under the consti-
tuition. Our predecessors in the years
that are past have left to us an exam
pie of wisdom, moderation and cour-
age that has never failed TO preserve
the ideals and the interests OF repuo-
lican government in many crises
whether Of peace or war. adversely or
prosperity.
This house Is the only institution
under our constitution where that will
Of the people may be expressed with a
fairness approXimating to scientific ac-
curacy. Other departments OF the
government have lofty and important
functions, but to this house alone be-
longs the peculiar, the delicate and the
all-surpassing function Of interpreting
and putting in definite form the Will
of the people. This duty we must per-
form ourselves. The principles OF the
past may help us to the extent OF
showing us the points Of the compass,
but beyond that We must depend on
our wisdom, our own constancy, our
own industry and our own fidelity to
duty"
The appearance Of Hon. W. ]. Bry-
an on the floor Of the house also was
the occasion for enthusiastic cheering
by the Democrats.
When the adoption of rules for the
government Of the house during the
present congress came up, the rules OF
the last congress were opposed by
John Sharp Williams, and he was
joined in that opposition by Demo-
Gratis and by single Republican, Mr..
Cooper Of Wisconsin. The old rules
60 hn
placing too much power in the hands
of the speaker but after a somewhat
acrimonious discussion, they were
adopted by party vote.
Committees were appointed to In
form the president that congress had
met and was ready to receive any mes
sage he might wish to communicate.
New senators and representatives
were sworn in, and both houses ad-
journed out of respect to the memory
of members who have died during the
recess Of congress.
The senate convened promptly at IL
o'clock. After Vice President Fair
banks had raped with the gavel the
proceedings were opened with prayer
by the Rev. Edward Everett Hale,
chaplain of the senate.
Senator LaFollotte was the first SEN
ator to be recognized and presented
the credentials Of Senator Isaac Ste
phenson Of Wisconsin.
The vice president ordered that the
roll of senators-elect be called alpha
betically and they were sworn in by
fours, being escorted to the desk by
their colleagues.
All Of the senators-elect were pres
ent In the chamber, except Senator
Rankhead of Alabama, who is detain-
ed at home by illness.
Under the form observed by the SEN
ate, neither Senator Bankhead nor
Senator Johnston can be sworn in un-
til the deaths of Senators Morgan and
Pettus have been announced and as the
senate will adjourn in their honor,
neither Of their successors will be ad-
mitted until tomorrow.
Resolutions providing for commit
tee to inform the president that con-
gress had assembled and is ready to
receive any communications he may
be pleased to make were adopted and
Senators Allison and Teller were des-
ignated to wait upon the president.
Senator Teller offered resolutions In
respect to the memory Of the late
Senators Morgan and Pettus Of Ala
bama, and they were adopted and the
senate adjourned at 1887 p. m, until
IL o'clock tomorrow.