Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-05
MAKES SLIPS OF TONGUE
SAYS CLERK FOR SECRETARY

Name Dropped-Committee Sent
to the President.
William Schoolcraft Sherman. Vice
President Of the United States and Presi-
dent Of the Senate, called the upper
branch Of Congress to order exactly at
noon today for the first day Of business
Of the special session called by Theodore
Roosevelt a few days before he laid
down the Office Of President Of the United
States.
The purpose Of the extra session Is to
receive President Tafts nominations for
the new cabinet and to confirm them.
Mr.. Sherman was not dressed in the
traditional style for statesmen. He did
not wear the black frock coat, but
cutaway pepper-and-salt walking suit.
It was at once apparent that the new
occupant OF the chair Of the Senate will
not preside with that severe mein that
characterized his immediate predecessor.
With the little ivory gavel in the palm
of his hand, the same gavel that Charles
Warren Fairbanks used for four years,
Mr.. Sherman stood beside the rostrum.
which was occupied by Chaplain Edward
Everett Hale. He raped for order.
DR.. Hale pronounced the invocation,
calling upon the Almighty always to
guide the states Of the Union in selecting
true and God-fearing men to transact the
great business Of the nation.
Journal Is Read.
The prayer concluded, the Vice Presi-
dent stepped up to the desk and said in
a clear, strong voice:
'sThe secretary will read the journal
Of yesterdays proceedings"
For a few minutes the monotonous
droning Of the reading clerks voice was
listened to. Then Senator Tillman of
South Carolina asked unanimous consent
that the further reading Of the journal
be dispensed with.
Mr.. Sherman put the question. Senator
Hepburn Of Idaho objected. The reading
was continued to the end.
While this was going on republican
and democratic senators, veterans and
youngsters" took occasion to stroll up
to the desk and shake hands with Mr..
Sherman and wish him well in his duties
as President Of the Senate. For each
one he had q CHEEKY word.
Two Senators Sworn In.
The reading over, Senator Rayner of
Maryland and Senator Bourne OF Oregon
secured recognition from the chair and
announced that their colleagues, who
were delayed, were ready to be sworn in
Mr.. Sherman told the new senators to
present themselves,
Senator Smith of Maryland. who has al
ready served by appointment Of the gov
ernor Of his state, took the arm OF Mr.
Rayner. Senator-elect Chamberlain took
the arm Of Mr.. Bourne. The four pro-
ceeded solemnly to the desk.
With unfaltering voice and uplifted
right hand Mr.. Sherman repeated the
oath. 'I do" said each Of the new sena-
tors at the conclusion.
Then Mr.. Sherman grasped the hand
Of each one and welcomed them to the
Senate.
Senator Gallinger Of New Hampshire
next addressed the chair. He offered
the customary resolution informing the
new President that quorum Of the Sem
ate was present and ready to receive
any communication he might wish to
send.
Before the question was put on this
raised the question Of whether or not
the presence of a quorum had been
formally established. Mr.. Sherman then
ordered the secretary to call the roll.
Eighty of the ninety-two senators an
swered present.
Slips Of the Tongue.
1.-THE question now is on the resolution
offered by the gentleman-the senator
from New Hampshire" announced Mr..
Sherman.
There was general laughter when Mr..
Sherman used the word gentleman
which is the method of speaking of a
member of the House in parliamentary
proceedings. Mr.. Gallinger was particu-
larry amused, as was also the new Pres
ident of the Senate himself.
Immediately afterward Mr. Sherman
made another little slip Of the tongue. He
ordered the "clerk' to read the resolu-
ton, but quickly changed the word to
secretary" In the House. where Mr..
Sherman served for many years. there is
a clerk, but there Is only secretary in
the Senate.
Amused at himself once more, Mr.. Sher-
man took a firmer grip upon the little
gavel, as If he was vowing not to make
such q mistake again.
The resolution was passed by viva
voce vote. AS a committee to wait on
President Taft Mr.. Sherman appointed
Senators Gallinger for the republicans and
Culberson for the democrats.
Senator HeHTOSo lLcII dHHOullCcu
his colleague Senator Knox of Pennsyl-
yania, who is to be the Secretary OF
State in the new cabinet, had forwarded
his resignation as United States sena-
tor to the Governor of Pennsylvania.
He asked that the secretary be In
structed to strike Mr.. Knox's name from
the roll Of the Senate.
Mr.. Sherman directed that this be done
Committee Waits on President.
Then Senator Hale Of Maine moved that
the Senate take recess until 1:30 o'clock
this afternoon. which 1t did at eighteen
minutes past noon. The purpose Of the
recess was to allow the committee to wait
mon President Taft and the expected
cabinet nominations to be sent to the
Capitol. e.. s
hled. Senator Gallinger announced
that the President would Immediately
send in a communication.
p. The Presidents assistant secretary
instantly appeared with g. list OF nomi-
nations. including those for cabinet po
sftions. On motion Of Mr.. Aldrich the
Senate went into executive session.
GRAIN Ann PROVISIONS.