Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-07
EXTRA SESSION OF
CONGRESS OPENED
At NOON TUESDAY
Stirring Scenes Mark Opening
of Session and Democrats
Are JubiIant Over Their VIC
tory and Landslide.

the house OF representatives today when
the triumphant democracy assumed the
rain. az government in the lower legis-
lafiva branch OF the federal government
Governor Harmon. OF Ohios- William
Jennings Bryan. the peerless leader OF
Nebraska: Samuel Gompers. the labor
leader, and dozens OF other slightly less
prominent In the public eye. held seats
on the floor. The galleries were packed,
the corridors were Jammed. and the best
OF humor prevailing everywhere MS
Taft and other members Of the presi-
dents family occupied conspicuous seats
IN the gallery and the foreign diplomatic
corps were well represented
Champ Clark was nominated for speak
and the election OF each was the signal
from the Democratic hosts. and James X
Mann. of Chicago. the Republican nom
inee, was given an ovation OF no mean
proportions
south Trimble. Of Kentucky: Stokes
jackson. OF indiana; Joe Sinnott. OF Viz
GINA; william NJ Dunbar. OF Georgia,
were elected clerk. sergeant-at-arms,
doorkeeper and postmaster. respectively,
and the election OF ach was the signal
for a thunderous outburst from the gal
teries.
HOWARD NEW MEMBER
william Schley Howard. OF the Fifth
district. was formally drawn in as new
members from Georgia. Representative
Edwards, Roddenberry. Hughes. Adam
son, Bartlett. Lee. Bell. Hardwick and
Brantley again took the oath OF office as
REPRESENTATIVES from the sovereign state
OF Georgia The Georgians were in high
glee fresh with party victory and en-
Unused with the bright prospects for the
Democrats. and while the house held the
center OF interest, the dignified senate
was not overlooked BY the curious. The
galleries In the senate wing OF the capt.
tol would not hold the clamoring crowds
that demanded admission.
Although the house did not meet until
noon, the capitol was overrun with Wis
itors by 10 o'clock in the morning The
gallery doors were the objective points
OF the visitors and here the great lines
formed waiting an opportunity TO present
admission cards and get desirable seats.
AS usual. the number OF admission tick
cts far exceeded the number of seats.
with the result that hundreds OF ticket
holders were unable TO gain an entrance
10 see Democratic house admission for
the nrst time IN is years. Scores Of MEM
bers-elect who served In the last congress
and dozens OF new members about 70
enter upon their first service. began TO
congregate on the floor Of the house by
II o'clock and the entrance Of every Wen
applause from the galleries.
CANNON IS CHEERED-
81 Oscar Underwood. OF Alabama. receiv-
ed a warm ovation when he entered the
hall Uncle Joe Cannon vas cheereo
Justify by the galleries; Jim Mann, the
new minority leader. was hailed with
enthusiasm: even Serene Payne and John
DzIzeu, high tariff barOns. were welcon-
ed with applause upon their arrival Victor
Murdoch, insurgent and others in his
class were cheered. The entrance OF
Governor Harmon and william Jennings
Bryan. however. precipitated the great
est demonstration OF the earnly morning
They entered the house from opposite
doors about the same time The Bryan
ties sent up q noisy shout when they
recognized the peerless one. and the
Hzrmonites shouted a boisterous greet
ing to their hero when he was recog'
nized Harmon and Bryan advanced
down the aisle rapidly and engaged in q
cordial hand shaking while the gallery
Joined in The demonstration that until
this time had been confined 10 the floor
Governor Harmon took a seat between
Fitzgerald. Of New York. and Sherley. OF
Kentucky. while Bryan took comfort
able chair a few rows back next 10 Tom
Helm. OF Alabama The two leaders
we're surrounded by partisans. Thus the
time passed on unregarded until the moor
hour was tolled on the clock.
Alexander Mcdowell retiring clerk
called the house to order. and after q
roll call 10 ascertain the presence of q
Quorum. President Tart's proclamation
for an extra session was read. Their
came the nomination for speaker. Bur
Lesson. OF Texas. as caucus chairman fol
the Democrats. presented the name o.
Champ Clark. and Currier, OF New
Hampshire. presented James r Mann''
name Clark received ZIG votes. the unan
imous strength Of the Democrats present
and voting. Mann received Isl votes and
Henry Cooper. OF Wisconsin. insurgent
received Isl. votes The refusal OF i
Republicans 10 abide their caucus actor
in selecting Mann as minority leader
was not surprising TO those familiar will
the situation. The Republican party i
torn 20 pieces in the house. and so is no
nearer together today than IN the pas
two years IL Is impossible 10 reconcile
the two factions which speaks well To-
continued Democratic success.
President Taft's message 70 the So
congress III go In tomorrow. ACCORDING
to unofficial information at the White
.rouse today. The president began TIT
dictation Of the message early today. an,
when the cabinet met at II O'Clock he lai'
before his advisors a rough draft of tn
document Following the cabinet session
this afternoon. the president VIII TAX
up the message with one OF his secre
taries and proposes TO complete it.
The message. according TO the Whit
House will deal only with reciprocit.
with Canada. Reference TO a permanen
tariff commission or TO other subject vii
be deferred until later. If the presen
plan is followed. The message will no
be long. and viii follow closely tn
speeches made by the president on tn
subject OF reciprocity
The opening program In the house wa
followed today with uncommon keenness
IL included the. calling Of the house &
order BY Maj. Alexander Mcdowell. tn
veteran Republican clerk of the house
who Is soon 10 be replaced. the roll call
the election OF the speaker. his speech o
acceptance the swearing in OF the mem
hers by state delegations and the draw
ing for seats There are always a few
privileged members who are allowed q
choose their seats In advance OF tn
drawing They include usually the oldes
members OF the house in point OF service
General Bingham. Of Pennsylvania. tn
minority leader. and one OF two other
as the house leaders may designate.
When the drawing for seats begins tn
floor OF the house is cleared. Marble
numbered TO correspond with the mum
hers assigned TO members on the alpha
betIcal roll are placed in large box.