Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-02
Cannon Reelected Speak
er of House Accord
ing to Program.
GALLERIES CROW DED
Adjournment Taken Out OF Re.
spect to Members Who
Passed During Recess.

Washington, Dec. 2.-The meeting
of the Goth congress today resembled
a social function rather than gather
ing for the transaction of important
business of the country. So great
was the demand for the opportunity
to see the national legislature started
in its work the galleries in both houses
were reserved for the families and
friends of members with Il very few
places left for the general public I'M
provided with tickets.
Only Routine Business.
In each of the houses the session
was short and the business done was
confined TO the adoption of formal
resolutions notifying the president that
congress had assembled. in swearing
in new senators and representatives
and other perfunctory acts.
Adjourn Out of Respect.
Both houses adjourned in respect
for members who died since the close
of last congress, Senators Morgan and
Pettus of Alabama and Representa-
tives Slemp of Virginia and Smith of
Illinois, having passed away during
the recess.
Cannon Elected Speaker.
Cannon was elected speaker by the
lower house with 207 votes, over John
Sharp Williams, who received 154.
Senate Meets Promptly.
The senate convened promptly at
noon. 1t was opened with prayer by
Rev. Edward Everett Hale, chaplain of
the senate. EaFollette presented the
credentials of Senator Isaac Stephen
son of Wisconsin, and the vice presi
dent ordered the roll or the senator's
elect to be called alphabetically, and
they were sworn in by fours. being es
corted to the desk by colleagues.
Only One Absent.
All the senators-elect were present in
the chamber except Bankhead of Ala
bama, who was detained at home by
illness. Resolutions providing for j
committee to inform the president con
gress had assembled were adopted, an(
Allison and Teller were designated t
wait upon the president Teller offer
ed a resolution of respect to the mem
ory of the late Senators Morgan anC
Pettus, and they were adopted, anc
the senate adjourned until noon to
morrow.
Proceedings. in House.
Promptly at IL Clerk Mcdowell en-
tered the house chamber and Gale,
the body to order. Chaplain Coudel
Immediately offered prayer, after whici
the roll was called showing 365 men
bers present. Amid great applause o.
the republican side Representativ
Hepburn of Iowa nominated Joseph c
Cannon for speaker Equally demon
strative were the democrats when Rel
resentative Clayton put in nominatiO
Representative John Sharp Williams.
Interest in Vote.
Although it was a foregone conclr
sion Cannon could get majority {
the votes there was intense intere:
taken in the announcement by men
bers of their choice of candidates fC
presiding officer. While the votin
Was SOluS OI OpSuhCl SdlihO
nor Williams were present.
A committee was appointed to brin
Cannon into the house and amid thu
derous applause in which democra
and republicans alike joined, CannC
was escorted down the center aisle
his chair.
williams Presents Speaker.
In brief speech Williams said
had the honor for third time ''of II
introducing but presenting to the co
gress of the United States Hon. J
seph G.. Cannon of Illinois as its spea
err" When the applause had subsid'
Cannon spoke briefly.
williams Nominated for Leader.
Washington, Dec. by agreeing
place in nomination for speaker Joi
Sharp Williams of Mississippi, t
democratic members or the house
caucus Saturday made an, effort to &C
tinue him in the position of minori
leader for the Goth congress. Preside
Thomas of North Carolina placed W