Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-12-16
CONGRESS- BEGINS
SHORT SESSION IN
NATIONAL CAPITAL
Democrats Cheer Distinguished
Missourian as Next Presiding
Officer of Lower
House.

Washington, Dec. both houses on
congress convened today for the third
and last session OF the Sixty-first con-
gress. The galleries were crowded and
there was a good attendance of sena-
tors and representatives.
In the Senate a number of new faces
were to be seen. Senator Tillman, who
has been absent from his seat for some
time, was in his place. He showed the
effects of his long illness and entered
the chamber supporting himself by a
stout cane. Senator Scott, just con-
yalescing from an illness that con-
fined him to his bed for several days.
also was in mis- place.
Cheer Cannon and Clark.
Speaker Cannon received a remark
able ovation when he o up the gavel
to announce the opening of the session
in the House. The applause lasted sew
eral minutes and the democrats poiped
with the republicans in acclaiming the
veteran legislator. Representative
Champ Clark, also was given a similar
ovation when he entered Immediately
on the conclusion of the prayer, the
democrats hailing him as the speaker
of the next House.
Both houses adjourned almost inn
mediately after the formal assembling,
calls of the roll and the adoption of
resolutions on the passing of those
members who have died since the ad-
journment of the last session.
Many of those who are numbered
year after year in the opening session
gathering like theater first nighters,"
were there as critics. They recognized
the faces of most of the prominent
members of both branches Of con.
gress, n parading the corridors they
pointed out among the celebrities such
members as were bitten by the boar
frost and bleak winds of November 8
The running comment that could be
heard by mingling with the throng was
often ludicrous, and reasons were as
signed for the defeat OF this or that
member that had never occurred to the
political experts who search for logical
explanations.
The fixed converting hour was IL
o'clock, but long before that time
senator's and representatives had
reached their office rooms in the two
splendid buildings near the north and
south ends Of the capitol building
proper, while crowds OF spectators, who
always hold a reconvening of congress
dear to their hearts, were on hand
early In the morning, waiting for want
age points In the galleries.
Appropriation Bills First.
Early work or appropriation bills
has cleared the way for prompt con-
sideration of those measures on the
floors of the two houses. The bills APP
propriationg nan millions of dollars
for the Indian service for the legisla-
tive, executive and the judicial de-
partments of the government, and for
the District Of Columbia, whose ex-
penses are borne jointly by the federal
and municipal governments, are well
advanced and one or more of them may
be reported to the House this week. The
avowed intention is to hurry these bills
along as fast as possible TO avoid any
nitch in providing ror the expenditures
Of the government and strenuous efforts
nave been made by President Taft and
other administration leaders 10 keep
the budget down to the lowest point
possible.
There are vacant seats caused by the
deaths in both the Senate and House
chambers. Just as the last session ad-
journed, or June %, Vice President
Sherman took occasion to congratulate
the Senate on it's immunity from
death.
Death" lie said, in an impressive
moment, while he held his gavel to de-
clare that body adjourned, has not en-
tered this chamber during the present
session. Please God that when the
Senate assemblies again next Deem
Der we shall all be here"
Four Senators Die.
Senators McEnery, Of Louisiana;
Dolliver, of Iowa; Daniel, of Virginia,
and Clay, OF Georgia, all prominent
figures in the upper house, have since
died. On the House side Representa-
lives Terrell, of Massachusetts,; Gill
more. of Louisiana, and Foulkrod, of
Pennsylvania, are dead.
Successors OF most of the late MEM
bers of the two branches already have
been chosen and may take their seats
tomorrow.
Several vacancies also win be record
ed in the present Hous by reason Of
political preferment, Mir. Foss, or Mas
sachusetts, retiring to become governor
Of Massachusetts, and Mr.. Tener and
Mr.. Reynolds, both of Pennsylvania, re-
firing to become governor and lieuten.
ant governor respectively, Of that com.
monwealth.
-