The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-04
COnVeneS in Extraordinary SeS-
sion on Call of Taft.
Control of the House Has Passed
to Democrats.
CHAMP CLARK CHOSEN
He Polls 217 Votes Against 13l
for Mann.
Seventeen New Faces Seen on
Floor of Senate.

Washington, April 4.-The Sixty
second congress. called by President
Tafe in extraordinary session to con-
slider the reciprocity agreement with
Canada, got under way today. The
Republicans retain scant control of
the senate. The house passed into the
hands of the Democrats for the first
time in sixteen years and Champ
Clark of Missouri was elected speaker.
He received PIT votes to 131 cast for
James r. Mann of Illinois, the Repub-
Iican nominee. The insurgent Repub-
Hcans of the house in their votes for
speaker indicated they intended to
maintain a separate working organiza-
ton. Fifteen of them voted for Rep
resentative Cooper of Wisconsin. Rep
Madison of Kansas. however. tempo
rarily deserted and voted with the reg
ular Republicans for Mr.. Mann.
Theron Akin, the Independent
Democrat of New York, also voted
for Cooper. Victor L. Berger of Wis
consin, the only Socialist in the house,
declined to vote. The interest of
opening day centered almost entirely
in the house and the routine proceed
ings of the senate were all but forgot
ten.
The reelected and new senators
were sworn in under the old regime
and then a recess was ordered to await
the organization of the house and the
report of a committee appointed to
wait on the president. 1t is not un-
likely that the presidents message
will deal with reciprocity alone 1t
probably will not be read until tomor-
row morning.
Representative Mccall of Massa chu
setts. who introduced the bill at the
last session of congress to carry the
reciprocity agreement into effect re-
introduced his measure today and It
was referred to the Democratic COM
will be side tracked for similar
measure but of Democratic origin.
Clark Announces Program.
Speaker Clark in assuming office in
the house made an address in which
he elaborated the legislative program
already outlined by the Democratic
caucus.
back the reciprocity agreement in the
hone of forcing the senate to act on
tariff bills, holds no terror for the SEN
ate as many senators opposed 70 re-
ciprocity have stated that they do NOT
care how long the agreement is held
nm in the house. The scenes in the
house were of unusual interest to the
house galleries, as also those OF the
senate were crowded to overf1owing
early in the day.
Alexander Mcdowell, 1OI 1O SOe'Ao &
clerk of the house and about to retire
in favor of former Representative South
Trirnble of Kentucky. called the BODY
TO order and made Valedlctory speech
in which he thanked the members OF
mast congresses for favors and thanked
the members of the new congress 1or
what they were about to do to HIM:
William ]. Bryan and Governor Jud-
son Harmon of Ohio were interested
spectators of the organization of the
II, r711n G
house and were greeted with cheers DIS
they appeared on the floor.
Cheers for Cannon.
Former Speaker Cannon's appearance
was not audibly noticed but when his
name was called as a member or the
Illinois delegation there was round
of applause. After Clerk Mcdowell had
called the house to order, Chaplain
Couden offered prayer and the clerk
called the roll of states to ascertain
the presence of quorum
Mr.. Clark all the time was waiting
in his Office to be notified that he had