The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1908-12-11

Closes March I. noon.
Republicans, Gl Democrats,
81; total, 90.
House Republicans, 22l; Demo.
Gratis, lGS; vacancies, 2; total, 39l.
Washington, Dec. with series
OF resoundng whacks Of a mahogany
mallct, welded by Uncle Joe Cannon,
and three gentle taps of an ivory
gavel In the hands of Vice President
Fairbanks, the house and senate open
ed today for the final session Of the
SiXtieth congress.
Whercupon the solons formally got
ready for the business of deciding how
Uncle Sam may best spend billion
odd dollars next year and of placing
on the status books sundry laws o.
more or less Importance.
Both wings of the great white capi-
tol presented the usual scene of anima-
tion and beauty. An hour before the
beginning of the session the galleries
were packed to their limits. A large
majority of spectators were women,
and they were arrayed In the latest
fashions Their presence and their
finery were due to the fact that custom
has made the capitol on opening days
OF congress, a show place. Women Of
Washington, particularly those who
move in expensive society, rarely visit
congress except on the first and last
days Of a session. The same Is true
of the feminine relatives of members.
All were out today with brilliant
colors and plumes that represented
designs from Paris as well as from
backwoods congressional districts.
Knowing Ones Came Early.
Knowing ones came early. 1t is easy
enough to obtain tickets on these big
days, but the total number of cards
issued by members always exceeds
the seating capacity. The rule is that
when the seats are filed the gallery
doors are closed. Standing room is
denied even to people Of big political
or social prominence. SO it happened
today as usual, that disappointed peo-
pie, many of the ticket holders formed
a line from the gallery doors along the
hall ways, and anXiously waited for
lucky insiders to get bored and give
up their places. One in for each one
out is the rule.
Last Appearance For Some.
At least ten senators are starting to-
day upon their last term of duty,
Among them are some who have been
prominent in their party councils. All
of them have friends on both sides of
the chamber who regret that the
changes of fortune should have marked
them for retirement from active parti-
cipation in public affairs.
On the other hand there are nearly
twice as many who are receiving con-
gratuations today on the apparently
sure indications that they would be re-
elected, or upon the accomplished fact.
Allison is Missed.
Amid all the handshaking the eX-
change of congratulation, or of con-
dolence, which preceded the. session,
there was evidence of the fact that
since they last met they had lost by
death one of the most valuable mem
bers of the body. This was brought
prominently to their attention later
when a resolution was offered and
adopted appropriate to the demise OF
the late Senator William B. Allison
of Iowa, who besides being chairman
of one of the most important COM
mittees of the senate, that of appro-
priations, was for years recognized as
the great pacificator of warning fac
tions.
These senators who are probably be-
ginning their last term today are:
Ankney, Washington; Foraker, Ohio;
Fulton, Oregon; Hansbrogh, North
Dakota Hemenway, Indiana; Kit
ridge, South Dakota; Long, Kansas
McCreary, Kentucky; Platte, New
York; and Teller, Colorado.
Those whose reelection has already
been accomplished or seems sure are;
Brandegee, Conn; Clarke, Ark;
Clay, Georgia; Dillinghom, Vermont;
Gallinger, n. Hampshire; Gore, Okla;
Hepburn, Idaho; Hopkins, H.; Latti'
mer, S. Carolina: McEnery, Louisiana;
Newlands, Nevada; Overman, \. Caro-
lima; Penrose, Penn; Smoot, Utah ;
Stevenson, Wis; Stone. Mo-; The lat
ter and Brandegee have fight on
their hands.
Vice President Fairbanks who will
be retired to private life on March 4
was early on the scene.
If he felt the disappointment of his
ambition to become president of the
United States he did not show it to-
day. for he was all urbanity and
smiles. He held quite a reception in
his private room previous to the as
sembling of the senate When he
entered the senate chamber and called
the assembly to order, it was prompt
noon. Owing to a former rule re-estab-
lished, the floral tributes to the SEN
ators from admiring friends were con-