East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-02-10

Washington, Feb. 10.-Wlth i'm
pressive ceremony. the closing scene
of the presidential election was en-
acted today in the hall of the house
of representatives.
In joint session the members of the
senate and of the house of the ma
tional congress met and counted the
electoral votes for President and
vice president and declared the cleo
Ohio, and James Schoolcraft Sher-
man of New York.
After tellers appointed by both
houses. and representing both politi-
cal parties. had carefully scrutinized
the returns from the several states,
Vice President Charles w. Fairbanks
announced that out of the 4S3 votes
in the electoral college 321 had been
cast for Taft for president; 321 for
Sherman for vice president; 1862 for
William j. Bryan for president and
162 for John X Kern, for vice presi-
dent.
This statement was received with
prolonged applause on the republican
side and settled forever any lingering
doubt that might have existed In any
democratic mind that perhaps the fl
nal count might show a majority for
the peerless leader" from Nebraska.
largest Vote Ever Cast.
Incidentally the fact was recalled
that 1t was the largest vote ever cast
for candidates for President in the
history Of the United States, the re-
cent admission of Oklahoma having
added seven votes to the electoral col
lege since this ceremony was perform
ed four years ago.
The joint session began at l o'clock
in the presence Of a notable assem-
blage. Admission to the galleries was
only obtained by card and these points !
of observation were crowded with the
wives and friends, including Mrs. |
Roosevelt and Mrs. Fairbanks and |
members OF their families, were in
terested spectators, and the dlplo-
matte gallery was well filled with the |
representatives OF foreign governments !
eagerly watching the process of the
election of a president In the great
est republic on earth.
Senate Comes In.
Precisely at / o'clock the doorkeep-
er announced the coming of the sem
ate. The speakers gavel fell and the
representatives stood to receive their
colleagues from the other end OF the
capitol The doors were thrown op-
en- and, headed by Vice President
Fairbanks. Secretary Bennett and
Sergeant at Arms Ransdell. the sena-
tors filed into the hall of the house in
pairs. They were escorted to seats
reserved for them on the democratic
side near the speakers rostrum.
As soon as the hum, hustle and con-
fusion, incident to their arrival, had !
subsidized. Vice President Fairbanks, l
as president of the senate. took the {
speakers chair with Speaker Cannon
sitting on his left. Then, rapping for
order, the vice president called to the
the tellers appointed by the '
two houses. They were Senators
Burrows (Rep. Mich.), and Bailey
(dem. Tex, on the part of the sem
lte; and Representatives Gaines (rep. Il
w. Va), and Rucker (dem MOI, on u
he part of the house. All of these d
except the last named officiated in a
imlar capacity four years ago, when
Russell (Texas) was the democratic c
eller for the house.
From a polished hardwood case, -
which was unlocked by an attendant,
he vice president then, amid impress
i've silence, took a document re- ir
pendent in red and gold seals. This h
vas passed to Senator Burrows who a!
nnounced that II appeared to be 81