Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-12-12
SESSION OPENS
WITH GOOD FIGHT
Democrats DenounCe AutoCratIC Rules
Adopted by House.
Give Speaker Too Much Power. but
Cannon is Re-Elected and Car
ries His Point-Great 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-
sons for ovations for those gentlemen.
The speaker was given as walm a recep-
tion from the minority as from his own
party. The appearance of William j.
Bryan on the floor of the house also 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 oppos-
tion by Democrats and by single Re-
publican, Cooper of Wisconsin. The
old rules were declared to be too auto
cratic, placing too much power in the
hands of the speaker, but after a some
what acrimonious discussion they were
adopted by 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 were 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 K.
S. Pierce, bearing the mace, the en-
blem of order in executive bodies.
The hum of conversation suddenly
ceased and Mr.. Mcdowell declared the
body duly in session.
Chaplain Couden Immediately offered
prayer, after which the roll was called
The roll call occupied 20 minutes, and
showed 365 members present.
The senate convened promptly at
noon. After Vice President Fairbanks
the gavel the proceedings were.
opened with prayer by the Rev. Ed
ward Everett Hale, chaplain.
La Toilette was the first senator rec
ognized, and presented the credentials
If Isaac. Stevenson, of Wisconsin.
The vice president ordered that the
.oll of senators-elect be called alpha
and they were sworn III and
escorted to their desks All of the SEN
ltors-elect were present except Bank
head, of Alabama, who is i'll.
Under the form observed by the SEN
tie neither Bankhe nor Johnson will
)e sworn in until the deaths OF Morgan
md Pettus have been acknowledged.
Robert L. Owen and Thomas P. Gore
If Oklahoma, not having been elected
o the senate by their legislature, were
lot received by the senate and their
redential will not be accepted until
fter their election December 10.
The roll call showed IS senators,
resent. Allison and Teller were des--
gnated committee to inform the pres
dent that congress had assembled and
J ready to receive any communications.
'eller offered resolutions OF respect to
he memory of Morgan and Pettus, of
.labama, and they were adopted and
ne senate adjourned at 12:39 p. NJ.