Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-12-06
Washington Letter
Ky GEO. M. PAYNE.


 Washington, Dee .'.-it the stroke of 12 o'clock noon, Monday Decem- Der ( the two branches of what Yn are proud to call the greatest legis- lative body in the world will be called to order by the falling of the gayels of Vice-President Fairbanks in the Senate and Speaker Cannon in the House of Representatives and the second session of the SiXtieth Con %ress of the United States will be under way. It will continue until March f.
 To the old-timer the days proceed ings will be without special interest. The whole program has been mapped out and will follow closely the lines set many years ago.
 But there will be enough to attract to the galleries and corridors the usu- al first day throng
 In the house the facts that will De as usual be the one particular attrac- tion. In the Senate, Allison, of Iowa will be missed, and there will be much .craning of necks to get good view of Cummings, his successor.
 In the House the facts that will be most missed will be those of Little. field and Powers, both of Maine Littlefield resigned and is now prac- ticins law in New York City. In his place will be found John P. Swasey The late Llewellyn Powers will be succeeded by r. l.. Guernsey Other changes in the House will be as fol- lows:
 Alabama. Second District-O C. Wiley, Democrat, vice A. A. Wiley Democrat, deceased
 Indiana, Thirteenth District II. A. Barnhart, Democrat, vice 4. l.. Brick, Republican, deceased
 Louisiana, First District-Albert Es- topinal. Democrat, vice Adolph Myer Democrat deceased
 North Dakota Cat large---Either C. II. Burke or E. w. Martin, Republi- can. vice w. II. Parker, Republican deceased
 The galleries will miss the great floral display that greeted them in by-gone years. By legislative enact ment the only blooms now admitted to the chambers are those on the desks of the yice-president and speak CT and in the lapels of members.
 Vice President Fairbanks is always a vision of geniality when he opens a session in the senate. and 1t is to be expected he will be the same this year He comes in smiling, shakes hands right and left with members of the Senate and everyone else in his vicin- ity, not emitting the pages. Even the vice presidents worst enemy cannot accuse him of chilliness on this oc- casion.
 The convening Of the senate is solemn, however. and when MT. Fair banks, amid oppressive silence, raps three times with his gavel. his face will be in keeping with the occasion
 pr. Edward Everett Hale the ven erable chaplain, will invoke the divine blessing and the roll will be called Resolutions will then be adopted in- forming the house that the senate ia ready for business. Then tue usual committee will be appointed to wal, on the president with similar infor- nation, just as if the president had not heard word about it. \ brief recess will be taken and the committe will return with the an nouncement that the president is de lighted" or words to that effect, and that he will "later communicate with congress in writing" Then the sen. ate will solemnly adjourn until Tues. , day.
 There will be more life in the pro ceedings of the house. Members cha! on the floor like school girls before