Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-08
BOTH SESSIONS ARE BRIEF
House and senate Adjourn out of
Respect to Deceased Members.

House and senate Adjourn Out of
Respect to Deceased Members.
WASHINGTON. Dec. both houses Of
congress held brief sessions today, ad-
journments being taken out Of respect to
the memory of those members who had
died during the recess. The only business
transacted by the senate was the swearing
in of Senator Page of Vermont. The first
half hour that the house was in session
was devoted to a roll call to ascertain the
presence OF a quorum. The. formal opening
of the body witnessed a remarkable demon
stration for Speaker Cannon, the republi-
cans and many democrats loudly clapped
their hands and cheered for several min
utes. Soon after Mr.. Sherman OF New
York. vice president-elect, came into the
hambe and he was accorded an ovation
from his republican colleagues. In like
manner the democrats roundly applauded
the new leader. Champ Clark. when he
arose III his place and forced an ~explana-
ton regarding the absence OF credentials
OF a new member from the third New York
district.
Great Demand for Seats.
For many days past the demand for
cards which entitled the bearers to seats
in the respective galleries has been so
great that when the doors of the mas
slve structure were thrown open at 3
o'clock a crowd Of more than sufficient size
to take up the entire seating capacity of
the two chamber had assembled. From
that time on they came In droves, the cor
ridors on both floors being filled with
crowds surging back and forth, while long
lines of people stood outside each gallery
door relying for an opportunity to get even
a peep into the senate or house, on some
Of the more fortunate ones vacating their
seats.
The unfavorable weather conditions did
not seem to lave the effect of reducing the
size of the crowds as gagged by those
which had gathered on similar occasions,
In both bodies among the most Interested
spectators were the members of the diplo-
matte corps who were present in goodly
numbers Numerous high officials of the
government likewise occupied seats and
they, too, displayed the keenest interest
in the proceedings.
The rule OF the senate and house pro-
hibiting the placing Of floral pieces on the
desks was rigidly enforced. The contribu-
lions in this regard were many and hand
some, but their donors were obliged to
content themselves with having them
placed in the private Hobbies.
Sessions Called to Order.
Immediately after the senate had been
called to order at IL o'clock today by Vice
President Fairbanks and Rev. Edward
Everett Hale, the chaplain, had opened the
session with prayer, Senator Dillingham; Of
Vermont presented the credentials of his
colleague, Senator-Elect Carroll s. Page.
who was at once sworn in.
After the usual committees had been an
pointed by the senate to inform the presi-
dent and the house OF representatives OF
the meeting of that body, and a resolution
of regret upon the death OF Senator Allison
had been adopted, the senate at l2:25 O'Clock
adjourned to meet at IL o'clock tomorrow.
The house was called to order at noon.
When Vice President-E Elect Sherman en-
tered the chamber he was accorded an
ovation by his republican colleagues.
When Speaker Cannon mounted the plat
form and called the house OF representa-
tives to order, he also received an ovation
at the hands of his republican colleagues.
Net a few democrats Joined In the demon
%stration which continued for several min
utes.
The two floor leaders, Serene e. PAYNE
Of New York, republican, and Champ
Clark Of Missouri, democrat, were early IN
their seats and each was accorded a hearty
greeting by the members irrespective of
party affiliation.
The roll call disclosed the presence of
SS1 members. Seven new members then
were sworn in to fill vacancies that oc-
CURED by death or resignation since the
last session. Among them was Eben M.
Masters, republican. successor to Mr..
Parker, republican, from South Dakota at
large.
Message Comes Tomorrow.
Tuesday will be given up to the read
ing of the presidents message. As this
is President Roosevelt's last annual mes
sage, there is unusual interest In 1t. The
general report is that it Will prove to be
a conservative and carefully prepared
document and that few accommodation
for legislation VIII be ventured upon.