Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-03
ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN RE-
ELECTED AS LEADER OF Low
Err HOUSE, RECEIVING 2oz
VOTES TO WILLIAMS 1874.
LITTLE BUSINESS
TRANSACTED TODAY
OPENING OF slxTlETH CONGRESS-
TOOK ON THE NATURE or So
clAL .FUNcTIo.. - ADJOURNED
IN MEMORY OF DEAD MEMBERS

Washington, Dec. 2.-The meeting
Of the sixtieth congress today re-
sembled social function rather than
a gathering for the transaction Of the
important business of the country. 81
great was the demand for an oppur-
tunity to see the national legislature
started in its work that the galleries
of both houses were reserved for the
families and friends of members, with
very few places left for the general
public unprovided with tickets.
In each of the houses the session
was short and the business done WAS
confined to the adoption Of formal res-
olutfons notifying the president thse
congress had assembled; in swearing
In ne wmembers of the house Of rep
resentatives and in other perfunctory
acts. Both houses adjourned In -
spect to members who have died since
the closing or the last congress, Senti.
tors Morgan and Pettus Of Alabaml,
and Representatives Slemp OF vir-
ginia, Smith OF Illinois having passed
away during the recess.
Uncle Joe" Cannon was elected
speaker. receiving 2O7 votes over John
Sharp Williams. 154.
New Senators Swarm In.
The senate. convened at noon. II
was opened with prayer by Rev Ed
ward Everett Hale, chaplain OF the
senate.
Lafollette presented the creden-
tials of Senator Isaac Stephenson, OF
Wisconsin. The vice-president order
dered the roll of senators-elect be
called alphabetically and they were
sworn in by fours. being escorted to
the desk by their colleagues. All the
senators elect were present IN the
chamber, except Pankhead of Alaba-
ma, who was detained at home by ILL
ness.
Allison Notifies President.
Resolutions providing for a COM
mitteeto inform the President that
congress had assembled was adopted
and Senators Allison and Teller wers
designated to wait upon the President.
Teller offered resolutions of respect
to the memory of the late senator's,
Morgan and Pettus They were adopt.
ed and the senate adjourned until
| noon tomorrow.
| Hepburn Nomtnates Cannon.
Promptly at IL o'clock Mcdowell en-
| tered the house chamber and called
that body to order. Chaplain Couden
Immediately offered prayer, after
VIII ichthe roll was called, showing
365 members present. Amid great ap
plause on the republican side Repres.
entatiye Hepburn of Iowa nominated
Joseph G. Cannon for speaker. Equal
| ly demonstrative were democrats
when Representative Clayton put In
nomination Representative John
Sharp Williams.
| Although it was foregone conciu-
sion that Cannon would get the ma
jority vote, there was intense interest
taken in the announcement by mem
bers Of their choice Of candidates for
presiding officer OF the house. Willis
| the voting was going on neithet
Speaker Cannon nor Williams was
] present.
| Cannon and Williams Talk.
A committee was appointed Ia
bring Cannon into the house. Amid
thunderous applause. in which repub-
licans and democrats alike Joined,
Cannon was escorted down the center
aisle to his chair. In a brief speech
Mr.. Williams said he had the honor
for the third time ''of not introducing
but presentino to the congress OF this
United States the Hon. Joseph G. Can.
non of Illinois as it's sneaker"
i When the applause had subsidized Mn
Cannon spoke briefly.