Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-06
SIXTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SENATE
THIRD SESSION.

Three new senator's took the oath OF
Office today and assumed their duties.
They were: La Fayette Young, rep,
Ia. }; Joseph NJ Terrell, (dem., Ga);
Claude A. Swanson, (dem., Va.)
All Of them were present when the
Senate convened and pleasantly met a
number OF their new associates.
The credentials OF the new statesmen
were presented by Senator Martin,
(dem., Ya.); Senator Bacon, (dem.,
Ga and Senator Cummins, (rep., Ia.)
Each announced that the new APP
pointee was present and ready TO take
the oath.
The three newcomers were escorted
10 the vice PRESIDENTS dais by the sit
ting members from their states. There
were many broad smiles when Mr..
Cummins walked up the main aisle
arm in arm with Col. Young, who is a
lifelong and rampant standpatter.
Whereas Mr.. Cummins is in advance
OF the firing line OF the progressives.
The others did not appear in such a
humorous light.
Mr.. Swanson and Mr.. Young wore
the regulation frock-coat and black tie
OF the statesmen, but Mr.. Terrell chung
to the cutaway coat and acolored scarf
All OF the newcomers were OF goodly
appearance and created an unusually
favorable impression.
The oath was administered by Vice
President Sherman and the three sena-
tors placed their signatures in the book
kept for that purpose. They were
then again taken in hand and escorted
| to their new seats, in the rear row on
the democratic side. They were intro
duced to few more Of their neighbors
and left to become conyersant with
their new surroundings.
The reading OF President Tait's an
nual message began in the Senate inn
mediately after the new senators we're
indicted into office. Secretary Ben
nett took the first turn at reading the
long communication.
Coincident with its presentation by
Executive Clark Latta copy OF The
message was laid on the desk OF every
senator. Quite number hastily
thumbed through the little pamphlet,
while few leaned lack and listened
TO tho reading.
As the luncheon period approached
but few senators remained in their
seats and these seemingly paid little at
tention to the long communication.
HOUSE.
For the first time within the memory
OF the oldest representative, the House
OF Representatives started off its legls-
latiye work today without the usual
prayer. Chaplain Couden, blind min
ister, was delayed by the snow and did
not arrive until the House had been in
session for several minutes. Speaker
Cannon then asked him TO deliver tho
usual invocation.
When the hour OF noon arrived the
speaker sent corps OF messengers
down on the floor trying to find some
preacher member Of Congress who
would pray in the chaplain's place, but
was unsuccessful. He, therefore, banged
the gavel, the members rose, and most
of them bowed their heads ready for
prayer. Instead the speaker announced
THE house will be in order. The clerk
will read Yesterdays journal"
At 1909 O'Clock Representative
Tawncy reported in ~behalf of the
House committee appointed TO wait on
President Taft, that the executive would
| send message to the House. For six
minutes ensuing the House folded its
hands and waited for Executive Clerk
Iatta to deliver the document. At
1920 o'clock its reading was begun.
| When the reading Of President Taft's
message had continued a little more
than an hour this afternoon, no MEM
Der OF the House or Senate was paying
the slightest attention toit
Most Of the members Of both Senate
and House had left the chambers and
those who remained talked to each
other and walked about in groups.
MeanwhiIe the clerks droned tho
message along, often mumbling unln-
telligibly and, so far as any one OBJ
served, they might have skipped whole
pages.
BY judicious skipping by which sew
ersl pages were omitted at time, the
Senate clerks were able to complete
the reading OF the message in slightly
less than twohours.
After the reading OF the message,
the Senate adjourned in token OF re-
spect to the representatives who bad
died during the recess OF Congress.
Senator Cumins presented resolution
for modification OF the rules, so as to
precipitate the revision of the tariff,
schedule by schedule.