The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-04

liam Jennings Bryan sauntsred onto
the floor, A tremendous burst Of ap-
piause from the Democratic side and
the galleries marked his progress
from the door to seat we'll up on
the Democratic side. Members rushed
TO greet him.
Harmon Comes In
At this psychological moment Gov.
ernor Judson Harmon, of Ohio, an
other presidential possibility, Was dis
covered in the crowd. There was an
other Wild outburst of applause and
yelis, eliminating in a pandemonium
of sound az the Ohioan walked up to
Bryan and smiling shook hands.
Both leaders took seats and were
interested witnesses OF the opening.
Bryan had the privilege OF the floor
as an ex-member; Harmon because OF
his being governor of State.
Hardly had the Democratic ap-
plause quieted down before there was
similar demonstration from Repub-
lean side as Minority Leader James
X. Mann Republican,. OF Illinois
walked down the center aisle
When the roll was called for the
vote on speakershfp, Representative
Victor l., Berger. OF Milwaukee. the
first Socialist in Congress arose in his
place and voted present" snws rag
Stunning his role as the one man party
in which capacity his only alternative
was voting for himself.
Democrats Wave Flags.
When tho clerk had formally an
nounced the election OF Clark as
speaker 1t was signal for another
roar OF applause for the Democrats
Motloning the members. to be quiet
Clerk Mcdowell appointed Represen
tHtives Mann Republican,, OF mi
nois. Underwood Democrat. Of Ala.
6ama, and Nreeland Republican, oi
/ New York. a committee for the per
fectly useless task of notifying Clark
of his election. While they were
searching for the new speaker. Demo
Gratis began to produce small Ameri-
can flags.
When the speaker did mount the
rostrurn it was amid riotous yeifs and
the waving Of flags. while every mem
her rose to his feet. Several moments
passed while Representative Mann
waited. gayel in hand, to introduce
him. Finally by dint of pounding he
succeeded in restoring order. Dead
quiet suddenly succeeded the noise
lin absolute silence Mann turned tt
VClark and then tn the House and SAID
simply:
! 1T is a great office. filed by gres
man. ! present 10 you your speaker
+ the Hon. Champ Clark"
/ urk 2 her ir,t,, "A, No
With his left hand In his trousers
pocket-his favorite pose--snd hi
fr0ck coat thrown back from acros!
! his chest, the speaker waited for the
/ demonstration to stop, then he begar
! his speech.
/ Elect Caucus Nominee.
The Democratic caucus nominees
| for House Offices were all elected. !
! roaring unanimous viva voce vot'
marked the reelection of Henry \
I Couden. the famous blind chaplain. Ac
! cording 10 time honored custom, tn
members then selected their seats.
/ Uncle Joe" Cannon took OK Repre-
sentative Tawneys seat. Just opposit
Representative Dalzell, who retaine,
his old desk Representative Henry
! Chairman Of the rules committee, tool
! the place vacated by Clark Mann
/ the center aisle. but one row hehin'
/ where he WAS last session. Under
! wood took place on the other sid
( Of the aisle from Henry. Representa-
tive Sculiy. democrat. Of New Jcr
sey) Was the FIRST Democrat called az
ter those having precedence through
position of former service. lie tool
! seat No. I. first row, center aisle, tn
beef i'm the House
Congress.
/ -y'hen the Senate rcassembied at
O'Clock. the committee appointed I,
wait on the President did not submit
| its report. senator Rayner Demo
crat). of Maryland. gave notice tina
at the first convenient opportunity h
would address tho Senate on "our rela
tons with Japan and Mexico" III.
Senate then adjourned until to-norrop
al noon.
Change After 10 Years
Since March =. 1895. when Charlel
F. Crisp. of Georgia, laid aside the
gaeel, there had been no Democrat If
the speakers chair.
over on the Senate OF the House
Of government there had been a large
shrinkage in the Republican majority
but no change in party control. and SC
there was no demonstration to maj
the dignity of the opening ceremonies
Holdover senator's were almost dazed
| sS the number OF strange menein THEN
midst. mostly unknown and unsung
political warriors, appearing as sue
cessors of battle-scarred. veterans who
had >s'ssssees the senate for years
On the dot OF twelce, gavel taps a,
both ends of the Capitol signaled for
order, and the special session was un-
der way. President Taft had mobil.
lied the statesmen to get action ot
his reciprocity trade agreement with
Canada. which was passed by the last
House, but neatly smothered by the
| Senate.
Democrats in the House expected tc
reach the subject by and by, and, in
the meantime. Will Try their hands a,
"a revision of features of the Payne
Aldrich tariff law Reduced rates or
wool, Schedule h, will be their first
offering Predictions of members AZ
to the length OF the session range ~
time from July to September.
Interest centered in the House be-
cause of the turnover in control. Mer
were willing 10 give high prices fol
the privilege of seeing Uncle Joe
Cannon with the minority on the floor
and the valiant Missourian, with the
national flag as background ant
the terrible mace at his side, refereed
| the doingg in the pit
| AS a new House is without form
and void IL deyolved upon Colone