Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-02
Assembling of the sixtieth Con-
gress Resembles Elaborate
Social Function
PROCEEDINGS PERFUNcToRY
New Members Sworn in, Officers
Elected and President Notified That
Congress is Ready for Business -
Cannon Chosen Speaker Of House -
Democrats Polled on President.

a social function rather than gath
erine for the transaction of important
business of the country. So great was
the demand for opportunity to see the
national legislature started in its work
that the galleries of both houses were
reserved for the families and friends
of the members, with very few places
left for the general public unprovided
with tickets.
In each of the houses the session was
short, the business done being con-
fined to the adoption of formal resolu-
tions notifying the president that con-
gress had assembled, and in the swear
ing in of new senators and representa-
tives. and other prefunctionary acts.
Both houses adjourned in respect to
members who died since the close OF
the last ongress-Senators Morgan
and Pettus of Alabama; Representa-
tives Slemp, Of Virginia, and Smith of
Illinois, having passed away during
the recess.
Cannon was elected speaker of the
house by vote of 207 over John Sharp
Williams, who received 154.
Senate Proceedings.
Senate convened promptly at noon.
1t was opened with prayer by Rev.
Edward Hale, chaplain Of the senate.
La Toilette presented the credentials
of Senator Isaac Stephenson Of Wis
cousin. The vice president ordered roll
of senators-elect be called alphabet
cally, ard they be sworn in by fcurs,
being escorted to the desk by the col
leagues. All senators-elect were pres
ent in the chamber except bankhead
of Alabama, who was detained at home
by illness.
Resolutions providing for commit
tee to inform the president that eon-
gress had assembled was adopted. AL
lison and Teller were designated to
wait upon the president.
Teller offered resolutions of respect
to the memory of the late Senators
Morgan and Pettus, and they were
adopted. The senate adjourned until
noon tomorrow.
In The House.
Promptly at IL Clerk Mcdowell en-
tered the house chamber and called
that body to order. Chaplain Couden
/ Immediately offered prayer, after which
the roll was called, showing 365 mem
bers present Amid great applause on
the republican side Representative
Hepburn, Of Iowa, nominated Joseph
G. Cannon for speaker. Equally dem
onstrative were the democrats when
Representative Clayton put in nomina-
ton Representative John Sharp Will
liams. Altho it was foregone con-
clusion that Cannon would get a ma
jority vote, there was intense interest
taken in the announcement Of the re-
suit.
While the voting was going on,
neither Speaker Cannon nor Williams
was present. A committee was ap-
pointed to bring Cannon into the house.
Amid thunderous applause, in which the
republicans and democrats alike joined,
Cannon was escorted from the center
aisle to his chair. In a brief speech
Williams said he had the honor for the
third time "of not introducing but pre-
senting to the congress of the United
States, Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, of llli-
nois, as its speaker" When the ap-
plause had subsidized, Cannon spoke
briefly. At the conclusion of his speech,
Oaths Of office were administered to the
new members. The first fight Of the
0sssion was inaugurated by Represen-
tative Williams, who protested against
the adoption of a resolution making the
rules Of the last house the govern
ing laws of the present house.