The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-02
First Session of the Sixtieth
National Legislature Begins.
Galleries Filled With Curious
and Admiring Public.
ABSENCE OF FLOWERS
Is One of the Conspicuous Feat
ures of the Occasion.
Is Taken Without
Doing Any Business.

Washington, Dec. $50 far as the
first session of the Sixtieth congress is
concerned, the house of representa-
tives convened today amid similar
scenes that have been witnessed in
years gone by. The galleries were
crowded with beautifully gowned Wo-
men who had come early in the expec-
tation of witnessing some exciting
scenes. Their tickets had been provid
ed weeks in advance. Those unfor-
tunates who were unable to secure ad-
mission to the galleries were compell-
ed to stand in long lines in the corri-
dors hoping for an opportunity to Sc
cure the much coveted seats. The dip
lomatic gallery was made conspicuous
by the presence of Senior Mayor Des
Planchez, dean of the corps, in full
state uniform; Ambassador James
Brice, of Great Britain, in convention
al dress, who attracted more than Or
binary attention; Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth, daughter of the president and
wife of the member from the Cincin-
natl district. and the new Persian
minister in his variegated uniform.
The scenes on the floor were inter-
esting in the extreme. Such veterans
as Serene Payne, the floor leader;
John Dalzen, w. P. Hepburn, James
S. Sherman and James A. Tawney,
congregated in little groups to ex-
change greetings. Speaker Cannon
vate room, Republicans and Demo-
Gratis without distinction calling to pay
their respects. Among these were
Representative and Senator-Elect
John Sharp Williams, of Mississippi,
who often has been referred to as the
assistant speaker of the house. There
was an absence of any floral tributes
on the floor. These hitherto have
formed spectacular feature of the
opening of congress, but rule of the
house, adopted at the last congress,
forbade such tokens of remembrance.
Many New Members.
While the veterans of the house
were perfectly at home, the one hun
dred and two new members of
the body evinced an acute interest in
everything that transpired. They ar
rived early and at once set about max |
ing acquaintances- The absence of
old war horses, such as General Chas.
H. GroSvenor and Representatives
Babcock, who went down to defeat in |
the last elections was commented |
upon and their familiar figures were |
distinctly missed. Representative
Burton of Ohio, who was defeated for
the mayoralty of Cleveland, was sur
rounded by a group of his admirers. !
Representative Samuel w. Smith of
Michigan, who will succeed Mr.. Bah |
cock as chairman of the committee of |
the District of Columbia and who is |
without doubt the smallest man, ply |
sically, in the house, was warmly con-
graduated at having succeeded to one |
of the most important of the chair |
manships.
The biennial lottery for seats was
conducted after the usual fashion. AS
has been the custom for years Rep |
resentative Bingham (Pa) father of
the house. was allowed to retain his
old seat, which is directly in front of
the speakers desk. John Sharp Will
liams the minority leader. was also
given the privilege of choosing his seat
to cir lot he n
Speaker Cannon were given ovations
when they made their appearances in
the chamber, but the occupants of the
galleries did not confine their applause
to these two noted characters, many
others coming in for recognition.
Those members who had expected
that the presidents message would be
read were disappointed. The fact
that the senate adjourned Immediate
" after convening out of respect to
the memory of Senators Pettus and
Morgan of Alabama, who died during
the recess precluded the presentation
Of this always much anticipated COM
from the chief executive.
The house, too, was mourning the loss
Of two of it's members. Representative
Selms of Virginia, and Representative
Smith of Illinois, the latter having
iIed only Saturday.
with the completion of the organi-
yation of the house. the swearing in of
mem bers, the drawing of seats and the
!
he president that the house was in
session and ready to receive any COM
that he may see fit to
,end, an adjournment was taken until
tomorrow.
In the Senate.
Washington, Dec. 2.-The senate
promptly at p noon. After
Vice President Fairbanks sounded the
gavel the proceedings were opened
with PRAYER by the Rev. Edward
Everett Hale, chaplain. Senator La
Toilette was the first senator to be
and presented the creden-
-ials OF Senator Isaac Stephenson os
Wisconsin.
Tnc vice president ordered that the
roll Of senators elect be called alpha
betically and they were sworn in by
,ours. being escorted to the desk by
their colleagues.
All of the senators elect were pres
INT except Senator Bankhead of Ala
oanna, who is i'll.
Under the form observed by the
'enate neither Senator Bankhead nor
Senator Johnson will be sworn in un-
IL the deaths of Senator Morgan and
Pettus have been announced and as
he senate adjourned in their honor,
neither Of their successors will be ad-
nitted until tomorrow
Messrs. Robert L. Owen and T P
Sore. of Oklahoma, not having been
elected to the senate by their lesisla-
ure, were not received by the SEN
tie and their credentials will not be
accepted until after their formal cleo
ion on the 10th.
The roll call showed s5 senators
present.
Senators Allison and Teller were
designated a committee to inform the
resident that congress had assem-
Jed and is ready to receive any
Senator Teller Of
cred resolutions of respect to the
memory of the late Senators More-ar