The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-15


 Stephenson's Credentlal
 Washington, March 15.-Attracted by he prospect of a. spectacular fight against the old regime in the House. throngs of people from official and prl- vates life, filled every available space in the galleries when that body was called to order at noon to-day MIs, Taft. was one of the most lnteresteu spectators. occupying seat m the ea- ecutive gallery, accompanied py Sap- tain Butt the Presidents military aloe
 Seldom has there been so large an attendance Of members. Spurreo py the activities of the leaders on potn sides every congressman who could he present, was in his seat when the first roll was called
 A half hour before noon more than two-thirds of the entire membership or the body was upon the floor. So great was the Incident confusion, that the floor was ordered cleared Of all those not entitled to remain fifteen minutes 1z approached conversation became more end more subdued; the party leaders on both sides sat thougntful and undisturbed, save for an occasion al messenger who brought some reas- surance anent the impending fight.
 The speakers chair was among the few vacant ones, when Alexander Mo DoweH, clerk of the last House. from the rostrum below. called the members to order. Chaplain Couden prayed, af- ter which the clerk read President Taft's proclamation, summoning con gross into extra session. Th1s was followed by the call of the roll by States.
 The crush about the gallery en- frances increased after the session opened. During the prayer of the blind chaplain. the jam at the north east corner door became so great that the glass paneling was broken. Can non. after answering to his name on the floor during the roll call, retired from the chamber
 The call showed ss2 members pres ent. Currier, of New Hampshire. by adsrection of the Republican caucus1 then named Uncle Joe for speaker. his announcement being gretted with loud hand clappinE. Clayton of Ala bana. on behalf of the Democratic souri. for speaker There was more loud hand clapping and also prolonged cheering. vreeland. Republican. New York and Dent. Democrat. Alabama, were appointed tellers.
 A hush fell upon the chamber. as the clerk began to call the roll to vote for speaker and the response of every member was received with intense in terest.
 By a. majority of 1s votes. Hon. Jo- seph c. Cannon of Illinois was re- e,esentaaives; 12 Republican insurgents voting against him.
 The vote was: Cannon, 2o4; Clark CMo.) minority leader, 166; Cooper (w1s.l. 8; Norris, Neb.), 2; Esch, burn of Iowa, L
 The insurgents who voted against Cannon were as follows: Pinshaw Gseb.) for Norris; Hubbard QoWa9 for Cooper (Wis) flor Norris; Poindexter Cwasi,.) for Cooper; Davis CNMinn.) for Cooper; Kopp CWds.) for Esch; Lenroot sy,<3rlx Hfr1r1 for Hepburn; Morse CWis.) for Cooper; Murdook (Kas) for Cooper; Nelson SW1S) for Cooper.
 The aibsentees were Clerk of Florida; olina. and Sheppard of Texas Gall Dem Dcrats). In addition, neither minority leader Clark, Cannon, or Esch voted.
 Clerk Mcdowell had no sooner con cluded, announcing that Clark had poll ed 166 votes. before Clayton Dem., Ala.,) arose indignantly.
 T submit" he said. that the tellers had not yet reported
 Clerk Mcdowell evidently read from his personal count. Somewhat fiuster- ed, he announced that he would then wait for the tellers report. After this had been done a committee composed of Representative Campbell (Republi- can, Kansas) and Representative Bart lett of Georgia. and Clark of Missouri. both Democrats was appointed to es- cort the speaker to his desk
 When Speaker Cannon. entered the hall, on the arm of Minority Leader Clark. there was big demonstration in the Republican side.
 Clark called the house to order and presented the speaker. Speaker Can non. before taking the oath. made his address to the house. He read it from a typewriter sheet. 'I am now ready for the oath" said the speaker and Representative Bingham Republican, the oldest member of the House stood before the speakers desk and read the oath.
 The speaker stood with uplifted hand and swore to administer the duties of his office. The members of the house were then sworn in.
 When the ceremony of the swearing in had been concluded. Representative Currier presented a list of candidates for positions as officers of the house. approved by the Republican caucus The list included: For clerk. Alexander McDoweH of Pennsylvania: sergeant at-arns. Henry Casson. of Minnesota: postmaster. D. A. Langham. of M me sota; doorkeeper. Frank B. Lyon of New York and for chaplain. Rev. H. N. Couden Of Michigan All these men are now in office.
 of Alabama. presented the candidates agreed upon in caucus. The Repub- iicSffs were elected on a VlVa Yoce vote.
 In the final vote in the House this afternoon on the adoption of the rules, sufficient changes were T1ader from the vote on the adoption of the previous ouestlon to turn victory to the insur- gents
 The vote was 1ss to 193 against the adoption Of the rules of the previous House On this roll call the Speaker himself voted He shouted "aye" when hss name was called. Clark fDeFn-) Missouri then introduced resolution providing for election by the House. of a committee on Rules con sfstinz of 15 members
 Nontinued on Second Page.)