Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-07
Speaker Cannon Is Applauded,
When, Customary Carnation
in His Button Hole, He Goes
to the Speaker s Stand.
DEATH OF MEMBERS
CAUSES ADJOURNMENT
Senate Held Thirteen Minutes, and
the House Also Had a Short
Meeting-Only Routine Bust
ness at Session.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-An animated
scene presented itself to Speaker Cannon
when he appeared in the chair promptly
of representatives in the initial gathering
of the first regular session of the 61st
congress.
The galleries were crowded to the doors
long before the hour arrived
A round Of applause greeted the speak
er when he entered the chamber with his
customary red carnation. For moment
he stood in mis- place nervously lingering
the gavel. While the applause was sub
siding the gavel descended with a re-
sounding left-handed whack.
THE house will be in order The chap
lain will offer prayer
AS If only on yesterday the doors closed
upon their activities, both houses of con-
gress at noon today took up the work of
the so-called long session." which may
not adjourn until we'll into the summer
Although since the memorable Inaugural
ton day last March these same senator's
and representatives have already done
five months work in the extra session
from March to August, which brought
forth the new tariff act, the session be-
gun today is technically the first of the
61st congress.
BOTH SESSIONS BRIEF.
The senate was in session but 10 min
utes, the house session, too, was brief,
and the work in both was of purely rou-
tine character. The net result was that
the PRESIDENT was informed that both
houses were ready for business and
awaiting any message which he might
see fit to send. His response will take
the form of his first annual message, the
reading of which will constitute the fea-
ture of tomorrow's business.
The extra session. of. the summer af-
forded opportunity for the organization
of both houses, election of speaker, ap-
pointment Of committees and such mat
tiers of routine so that both houses were
free to start today with all the smooth
ness of a well-oiled and thoroughly at
tuned machine.
The procedure followed on the first day
was similar to that which has charac-
terized every opening of congress. A
great mass of bills was introduced. Rep
resentatves simply deposited the bills
in the receptacles provided. Senators will
wait Until tomorrow before laying be-
fore their body the new measures which
they propose to father during the COM
ing months.
The announcement of the recent death
of Senator Johnson, of South Dakota,
and Representatives Lassiter of Virginia,
and DeArmond, of Missouri caused adj
journments today on both sides of the
capital. The swearing in of Senator Foun-
tain L. Thompson and of Representatives
w. W. Creole, of Washington, and w.
J. Moxley, of Illinois, who have beer
named since the adjournment of the spe-
cial session, will not take place until
tomorrow Just before the presidents mes
sage Is received.
Before today is over there will be pre-
Iiminary conferences on both sides of
the capital for the purpose of laying out
plans for the sessions work. Progressive
will not long delay their dis
cussion of the legislative work they de-
sire to see done before the session closes.
The insurgents of the house will soon
begin to cement their forces into a
working brigade Meanwhile both SEN
ate and house are awaiting the presi-
dents message with the utmost inter