The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-12-04
CONGRESS IS IN SESSION.
OPENED YESTERDAY IN BRIL-.
LIANT MANNER.
Warm Debate Upon the Adoption of
The Rules.-CannOn Again Speak
r.-WiIliams Nominated by Dem.
Ocrats.

er.-Winiams Nominated by DEM
ocrats.
Washington, Dec. "A brilliant
scene characterized the meeting OF the
Sixtieth congress today In the SEN
ate and hdhse Of representatives there
were notable gatherings In the gall
leries Of representatives Of the official
Society Of the capital. The coming to-
gether for the mrs. time Of the men
who have been elected to the senate
and the house. about 100 Of whom
have not before served in congress.
msde the occasion one Of particular
interest.
The striking scenes Of the day were
In the house Of representatives, where
the formal Introduction Of JOS. Cam
non to be again speaker of that body
and the designation by the Democrats
VI 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 Re-
publicans and Democrats for their
leaders. and the speaker received as
warm a reception from members of
the minority 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 18th
milestone in the history of govern.
ment by the people under the censti-
tuticna Our predecessors in the years
that are past have lett to us an ex-
ample OF wisdom. moderation and
courag that has never failed to pre-
serve the ideals and the interests of
republican government in many cri-
ses. whether OF peace or war, adver-
slty or prosperity.
This house Is the only institution
under our constitution where that will
of the people may be expressed with q
fairness approximating, to scientific
accuracy. Other departments OF d, the
government have lofty and important
functions, but to this house alone be-
longs the peculiar. the delicate and
the all-surpassing function IF inter-
pi citing and putting in definite form
the will Of the people. This duty we
must perform ourselves. The prin-
ciples Of the past may help us TO the
extent OF showing us the points Of the
compass, but beyond that We ,nus: de.
pend on our wisdom, our own con-
stancy, 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 DEM
ocrats and by single Repub ublican
Mr. Cooper Of Wisconsin. The old
rules were declared to be too auto
cratic. placing too much power in the
hands ofNthe speaker. but after
somewhat acrimonious discussion,
they were adopted by a party vote.
Committees were appointed to in
form the president that congress had
met and was ready to receive any
message he might wish to communi-
cate.
New senator's and repre- sentetives
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 noon. After Vice President Fair
hanks had raped with the gave! the
proceedings were opened with prayer
b! the Rev. Edward Everett Hale,
chaplain of the senate.
Senator LaFollette was the first
senator to be recognized and rrasent-
ed the credentials of Senator Isaac
Stephenson Of Wisconsin.
The vice president ordered that the
roll Of scnators-elect be called alpha
betically and they We're sworn in by
fcurs. being escorted to the desk BY
fhnir collao