The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-07
Little Done BESIDES Swearing
in New Memb ars.
CHEERS FOR CANNON.
Uncle Joe Is Given an Ovation
by Both Parties.
Vice President Sherman Makes
Visit to the House.

Washington. Dec. Both houses of
congress held brief sessions today, adj
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 wit
messed remarkable demonstration for
Speaker Cannon, the Republicans and
many Democrats loudly clapped their
hands and cheered for several minutes.
Soon after Mr.. Sherman of New York,
vice president-elect, came into the
chamber and he was accorded an ova-
tion from his Republican colleagues. In
like manner the Democrats roundly ap-
plauded the new leader Champ Clark,
when he rose in his place and forced
an explanation regarding the absence
of credentials of a new member from
the Third New York district.
Came in Droves.
Washington, Dec. THE ever in
teresting spectacle of the convening
of a congress today brought to the
capitol building, where the national
legislature sits the usual throngs bent
on gaining admission to one house or
the other where the exercises incident
to the opening of the second session
of the Sixtieth congress were held
For many days past the demand for
cards which entitle the bearers to
seats in the respective galleries, has
been so great that when the doors of
the massive structure were thrown
open at O'Clock, a crowd, more than
sufficient to take up the entire seat
ing capacity of the two chambers, had
assembled. From that time on they
came in droves, the corridors on both
floors being filled with crowds surg
ing 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 va
eating their seats.
The unfavorable weather conditions
did not seem to have the effect of re-
ducing the, size of the crowds as
gauged by those which had gathered
on similar occasions
In both bodies among the most in
terested spectators were the members
of the diplomatic corps who were
present in goodly numbers. Numer-
Gus 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
pieces on the desks was rigidly en-
forced. The contributions in this re-
gard were many and handsome, but
their donors were Obliged to content
themselves with having them placed
in the private lobbies.
Immediately after the senate had
been called to order at II o'clock today
by Vice President Fairbanks and Rev.
Edward Everett Hale, the chaplain
had opened the session with prayer
Senator Dillingham; of Vermont pre-
sented the credentials of his colleague,
Senator Carroll S. Page, who was
at once sworn in as senator of the Uni
ted States. The house was called to or
Ger at noon. When Vice President
elect Sherman entered the chamber he
was accorded an ovation by his Repub-
ncan colleagues.