The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1907-12-07
SESSION OPENS
WITH GOOD FIGHT
Democrats DenOunce AutocratIc Rules
Adopted by House.
Give Speaker FOO Much Power. but
Cannon 10 Re-EIected and Car
ries His Point-0rest Social Out
pouring to See sixtieth Congress
Organize.

Washington, Dec. 3.-A brilliant
scene characterized the meeting OF the
Sixtieth congress yesterday. In the
senate and house OF representatives
there were notable gatherings in the
galleries OF representatives OF the Off
cial society OF the capital.
The striking scenes of the day were
in the house Of representatives, where
the formal selection Of Joseph G. Can
non again to be speaker and the desig-
nation by the Democrats Of John Sharp
Williams as their leader, were occa-
sions for ovations for those gentlemen.
The speaker was given as warm recep-
tion from the minority as from his own
party. The appearance OF William j.
Bryan on the floor Of the house alto was
the occasion for enthusiastic cheering.
When the adoption of the rules for
the government OF the house during the
Sixtieth congress came up, the rules OF
the last congress were opposed by Will
liams and he was joined in the opposi-
ton by Democrats and by single Re-
publican, Cooper of Wisconsin. The
old rules we're declared to be too auto
cratic, placing too much power in the
hands Of the speaker, but after some
what acrimonious discussion they were
adopted by a party vote.
Committees were appointed by both
houses to inform the president that
congress had met and was ready to re-
ceive any message he might wish to
communicate. New senators and all
the representatives we're sworn in and
both houses adjourned out Of respect to
the memory of members who have died
during recess Of congress.
Promptly at IL O'Clock Clerk Nc
Dowell entered the chamber of repre-
sentatives accompanied by the veteran
assistant sergeant-at-arms Colonel E
s. Pierce, bearing the mace, the EN-.
blem of order in executive bodies.
The hum of conversation suddenly
ceased and Mr.. Mcdowell declared ths
body duly in session
Chaplain Couden Immediately Offered
prayer, after which the roll was called
The roll call occupied 20 minutes, anC
showed 365 members present.
The senate convened promptly a
noon. After Vice President Fairbanks
sounded the gavel the proceedings wer'
opened with prayer by the Rev. Ed
ward Everett Hale, chaplain.
La Toilette was the first senator rec
ognized, and presented the creiential
of Isaac Stevenson, of Wisconsin.
The vice president ordered thai fh
roll of senators-elect be called Alpha
betically, and they were sworn in ant
escorted to their desks. All of the zen
ators-elect were present except Bank
head, of Alabama, who is ill.
Under the form observed by the sen
ate neither Bankhead nor IohnEci. vii
be sworn in until the deaths Of Moggs'
and Pettus have been acknowledged.
koberl L. Owen and Thomas P. Gore
of Oklahoma, not having been electe'
to the senate by their legislature, wer
not received by the senate and thei
credential will not be accepted unit
after their election December 10.
The roll call showed SIS senator
present. Allison and Teller were des
| ignated a committee to inform the pres
ident that congress had assembled an
is ready to receive any communications
Teller offered resolutions OF respect t.
the memory of Morgan and Pettus, G
Alabama, and they were adopted an
the senate adjourned at 1888 p. M