New-York tribune., 1907-12-03
.SIXTIETH CONGRESS-
BEGINS WORK.
CURRENCY LEGISLATION
ITS GREATEST PROBLEM.
Cannon Reelected Speaker Cro,gds
Witness Opening Scenes in
Both Houses.
TFrom The Tribune Rureau.I

z
at noon to-day. With large Republican rnajori-
ties in both houses there is promise of a busi-
ness<e and protracted session. unmarked
by radical OF spectacular legislation and chiefly
noted for its conservative tone and wise appro-
priations for maintenance of an ever growing
nation
The subject certain to command the most
careful and thorough consideration is the hnan-
cial measure which the leaders confidently ex-
pect to inscribe the statute books before final
adjournment
Charles Warren Fairbanks and Joseph G. Can
will preside over the respective houses.
and the old leaders. with few changes. notably
the loss of Senator SpOOner, will control the
more important committees and guide the
of legislation
The quiet harmony which n1anifestly exists
between the executive and legislative branches
Of the government and between the majorities
in the two houses of the latter is regarded
promising well for the session which precedes
the Presidential election and for the party in
power. The view is generally expressed that the
Republican members of Congress will be in
greater sympathy with the Presidents forth
coming message than has been the case with
any message since President Roosevelts first
official communication The reception and read
ing Of the message were deferred until to-
morrow, because both houses adjourned imme-
diately after organization to-day
IN THE SENATE
The brish. hued costumes Of the hundreds OF
handsomely attired women who crowded the
Senate galleries made brilliant setting for the
sombre gathering which slowly assembled in
the chamber below. Senators Platt. with his ac-
custorned promptness. was the first to enter the
hail. and he was soon followed by Senator De-
pew At first slowly, then more rapidly. the
members filed into the chamber, until there was
a comparatively full attendance some time be-
fore noon. There Were many hearty greetings.
numerous cordial congratulations and introduce
tions OF new Senators, but il was noticeable that
in almost every instance some reference TO tne
death of Senators Morgan and Pettus or some
expression of regret for the absence of Senator
SpoOner gave sober turn to the conversation.
and there was less laughing and joking than Is
usual at the beginning of Congress
Among the interested spectators in the diplo
matte gallery the Russian Ambassador. and
Just hack OF him the Japanese Ambassador was
represented by two attaches Of his embassy.
Mrs Fairbanks. wife of the vice-President.
with her son and daughter-in-Iaw. Mr. and Mrs
Warren Fairbanks. occupied seats in the Vice
Presidents gallery.
One minute before noon the tall form OF ths
vice-President entered from the lobby. and on
the stroke of twelve his gavel fell and the Senate
came to order. Chaplain Edward Everett Hale
read the invocation. and his deep-tOned Amen
was instantly followed by high pitched Mr.
President as Senator La Toilette presented the
credentials Of his new colleague, Mr. Stephen
SON Senator Clay followed with the credentials
of Mr. Baker,, and again Mr. La Toilette ad-
dressed the chair with request that his COL
league be sworn in. The Vice-President
Piled that was about to call for Senators to-
take the oath of office. and the names of Messrs-
Bacon. Bailey, Borah and Bourne were called
The others followed until the twenty-nine Sem
ators who began new terms to-day had sworn
to uphold the Constitution
While this ceremony in progress Senators
Lodge suggested that il should be preceded by a
rollcan as otherwise 1t would not be OF record
that a quorum was present, but the Vice-Prest-i
dent held that a quorum was presunpttvelyi
persent unless the point OF no quorum was
raised by Senator. Mr. Lodge, while assert
ing his conviction that this was not good par
Iiamentary procedure. spologized for the inter-
ruption. and the ceremony OF administering thst
oath proceeded The rollcall which folowed'
showed eighty-five Senators present
SOME OF THE NEW SENATOR'S
When the Senators took their places a NUM-
ber of changes were apparent. Senator Spooner'ss
seat, on the middle aisle, occupied by SEN
ator Beveridge who, having become BRIDE
groom since the last session. was the recipiene
of numerous congratulations. Senator Knox.
who had formerly occupied seat In the "Chero-
kee Strip the small section assigned TO the
Republicans on the Democratic side Of tho,
chamber had obtained Mr.. Beveridges seat
The two Senators from Wisconsin occupied
seats together in the rear row Of the STRIP
and Senator Briggs. Of New Jersey, came next
The two Senators appointed from Oklahoma.
Messrs. Gore and Owen. the former blind and
the latter tall. straight and rather handsome
Indian, occupied the seats which Will be pernna-
nently assigned to Them although they will noe
be sworn in until they have been elected oy
their Legislature next week
When the roIIcaI finished the usual for
NAL resolu ms were adopted. Senators Allison
and Teller being appointed by the chair to in
form the President that Congress was In ses-
sion As a mark of respect. the new Senator'S
from, Alabama Messrs. Bankhead and Johnston.
did NOT present their credentials to-day. but will
he sworn in tomorrow. The sanitation OF
tba Senate havin, been completed. Senator TEL
Iar Announced the death Of the Senators from
Alabama and after adopting resolutions ex-
nressins the sorrow of the Senate. the body. as
q further mark of respect. adjourned until to-
morrow -
From a throng of unguided. dsorganized cit
izens certified Representatives. but power
less the 391 members Of the House in the 6Oth
Congress- were welded into a solid phalanx to-
dav and began to make more history. BefOre
noon thew stood irresolute and expectant on ths
floor with no common leader and no unified prIr-
nose: five minutes after II o'clock they had be-
come lawmakers.
Tb. cider members spent the half-hour before
the gaveI of the clerk descended m story teiiihs
and handshaking The new members waited
all NJ