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

THIRD SESSION.

SESaIt
Three new senator's took the oath Of
Office today and assumed their duties.
They were: La Fayettc Young, rep,
a. }; Joseph ~ Terrell, dem, Ca;
Claude A. Swanson, dem, Va.)
All Of them were present when the
Senate convened and pleasantly met 4
number OF their new associates.
The credentials OF the new statesmen
were presented by Senator Martin,
dem, Va.); 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
to the vice PRESIDENTS dais by the sit
ting members from their states. There
we're many broad smiles when Mr..
Cummins walked up the main aisle
arm in arm with Col. Young, who is 4
lifelong and rampant standpatter
Whereas Mr.. Cummjns is in advance
OF the firing line OF the progressives.
The others did not appear in such
humorous light.
Mr.. Swanson and Mr.. Young wore
tho regulation frock-coat and black tie
OF the statesmen, but Mr.. Torrell chung
to the cutaway coat and a colored scarf.
All OF the newcomers were Of goodIy
appearance and created an unusually
favorable impression.
The oath was administered by Vice
President Sherman and the three Srna-
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.
duccd to few more of their neighbors
and left to become conrersant with
their new surroundings.
The reading OF President rait'S an
nual message began in the Senate i'm
mediatcly after the new senators were
indicted into Office, Secretary Ben
nett took the first turn ut reading the
long communication.
Coincdent with is presentation by
Executive Clark Latta copy Of the
message Was laid Oh the desk OF every
senator. Quite 4 number hastily
thumbcd through the little pamphlet.
while few leaned Lack aud llstenrd
10 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 It's !c2ls-
latiyc work today without the usual
prayer Chaplain Coudcn, blind min
lister, 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 a corps OF messengers
down on the floor trying to find some
preacher member Of Congress who
would pray in the chapiaia's place, but
was unsuccessful. He, therefore, banged
the gavcl. the members rose, and most
of them bowed their heads ready for
prayer Instead the speaker announced
the house will he in order. The clerk
will read yesterdays journal.
At 1900 o'clock Representative
Tawncy reported in ~hehaf of the
House committee appointed 10 wait on
President Taft, that the executive would
send a message 10 the House. For SIX
minutes ensuing the House folded it.
hands and waited for Executive Clerk
Iatta to deliver the document At
1920 0 clock its reading was begun.
! When the reading Of President Tait's
message had continued little more
than an hour this afternoon, no mem
Der Of the House or Senate vas 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.
Meanwhile the clerks dronc1 tho
message along, often mumbling unin-
telligibly and, SO far as any one OBJ
served, they might have skipped whole
pages.
BY ihdicious skipping by which sew
eral 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 had
died during the recess OF Congress.
Senator Cumins presented resolution
for modification OF the rules, so rs to
precipitate the revision OF the tariff,
schedule By schedule.