The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-07

v SECOND session OF SlXtletn
. congress. 80. .,s....s.
. Open December 7 noon. .
q Closes March 4 noon. .
. Senate: Republican, 81, .
. democrats 81. Total, 90. .
. House: Republicans 221, .
. democrats 1859, vacancies 2. .
= Total 391. .
Q >>>> . . . . 90 . . 80
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. T.
With a series of resounding
whacks of mahogany mallet,
welded by Uncle Joe Cannon, and
three gentle taps Of an ivory
gavel in the hands Of Vice Presi.
dent Fairbanks, the house and sen.
ate opened today for the final ses-
sion of the Sixtieth congress.
Whereupon the solons formally
got ready for the business of de-
Gliding how Uncle Sam may best
spend a billion odd dollars next
year.
An hour before the beginning OF
the session the galleries were pack
ed. A large majority Of spectators
were women, and they were array
ed in the latest fashion. Their
presence and their finery were due
to the fact that custom has made
the capitol on opening days of con-
gress a show place.
At least 10 senators are starting
today upon their last term of duty.
On the other hand there are near
ly twice as many who are receiving
congratulations on the apparently
sure indications that they would be
reelected, or upon the accomplish
ed fact.
Amid all the handshaking. the
exchange of congratulation or of
coincidence, 1t was evident that the
senator's felt death keenly of one
of their number. This was brought
prominently to their attention later
when a resolution was offered and
adopted in memory of late Senator
William B. Allison of Iowa.
Those senators who are probably
beginning their last term today
are: Ankeny. Washington; For
aker, Ohio; Fulton, Oregon; Hans
brough, North Dakota; Hemenway,
Indiana; Kittridge. South Dakota;
Long, Kansas; McCreary, Ken
lucky; Plat, New York, and Teller,
Colorado.
Those whose reelection has al
ready been accomplished or seems
sure are:
Brandegee. Connecticut; Clarke,
Arkansas; Clay, Georgia; Dilling-
ham. Vermont; Gallinger, New
Hampshire; Gore. Oklahoma; Hey
burn, Idaho; Hopkins, Illinois;
Lattimer. South Carolina; McIn-
erny, Louisiana; Newlands, Ne
vada; Overman, North Carolina;
Penrose, Pennsylvania Smoot,
Utah; Stevenson, Wisconsin;
Stone, Missouri. The latter and
Brandegee have fight on their
hands.
Vice President Fairbanks, who
will retire March 4, was early on
the scene. He was all urbanity and
smiles.
After the opening prayer by the
venerable chaplain, Edward Everett
Hale, and the rollcall, the three Gus
tomary resolutions which mark the
beginning of a new session were
adopted.
The first fixed the hour of daily
meetings at noon.
The second directed the secre-
tary to notify the house that the
senate was In session, and the third
authorized the vice president to
appoint committee to join the
committee appointed by the house
to announce to the president that
the congress was ready to receive
any message he might wish to
send.
Senator Dolliver then rose. In
simple words he depicted the grief
which he and the other members
OF the Iowa delegation felt at the
death OF his colleague. He offered
resolution expressing the deep
sense Of senate In the loss that 1t
had sustained. The senate adopted
the resolution and adjourned until
tomorrow.
Governor Albert B. Cummins of
iowa, the chosen successor of the
late Senator Allison, will probably
be sworn In at tomorrow's session,
Scores OF representatives were
on the floor OF the house before
noon.
Speaker Cannon's ONCE vas q