The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-05

reasscmbled to-day. 1t indicted into
onice two new Senators and five new
Representatives, and. in the lower
branch. presented the sensational spec.
tacle of an opening day philippe,
speech by Representative Littleton. OF
Sew York. Democrat, who for sew
chty minutes inveiShed against the So
called American Antitrust League
That organization had attacked him
In connection with his attitude toward
the so-called steel trust inquiry.
It was the first regular session Of
the sixty-second Congress. a session
expected to be rcplete with remark
able developments and which may
stretch over a period longer than the
usual meetings OF Congress.
The session is counted upon to deal
with tariff, trusts. currency, arbitra-
tion and host of other big problems
but all activity will be with view
TO the effect on the coming presl-
dental campaign.
The Senate was In session to-day
only seventeen minutes. The House,
however. continued its proceedings for
two hours and eighteen minutes. The
Senate decided to meet hereafter at .
o'clock. beginning Tomorrow. until
Legislative needs put the hour back to
tinue to meet tomorrow and here.
after at noon.
Full Attendance.
Vice President Sherman and Speaker
Clark. respectively. called the two
tionally full attendance of Senator'S
and Representatives. The galleries in
10th chambers were inadequate to ac-
commodate all The visitors
Party lines and personal differences
seemingly were obliterated in the eN-
change OF greetings among Senators
and Representatives, many of whom
met for the first time since adjourn
ment last August.
Senators Galiinger:; OF New Hamp-
shire. and Tillman, of South Carolina,
the former of whom was called away
from the extra session by the death Of
his son, and the latter forced away BY
his own illness, were greeted with es-
pecial warmth. Senator Williams, of
Mississippi. was present, although suf-
fcring from recent accident, in which
he broke several ribs.
The following were sworn into office:
Senators Hoke Smith. of Georgia, and
Obediah Gardner. of Maine; Represent
atives Browning, OF Now Jersey: Ainey,
Pennsylvania: Stephens Nebraska;
Taggart, Kansas, and Mcclellan, Ten
ncssee.
vice-President Sherman was called
to Utica by the death of his mother
in-law. Mrs. Ellen Babcock. and the
Senate designated Senator Curtis. or
Kansas, to act as president pro tempore
until December II. This was on the
motion of Senator Gallinger. the can
dIdate OF the Regular Republicans in
the contest for the office.
Stirring Times Ahead.
1.-THE most important session since
the Civil War" Is the prediction made
by many Democratic leaders.
Stirring days ahead" are forecast
by Republican members. and on both
sides Of the big party line members
In the House and Senate are drawn up
to fight out weighty problems OF legis-
lation In session that will lead up
to the presidential campaign Of 1912.
OF Importance as to the bearing II
will have on the approaching political
contest in the nation; OF particular In
terest because of party differences
Regulars and Insurgents on the Repub-
lican side, Reactlonaries and Progress
sives among the Democrats-and OF
unusual significance because OF tho
heavy legislative program, it is at least
certain that this will be one OF the
liveliest sessions OF Congress In many
years.
with the gavels falling in the House
and Senate, the tariff and the trusts
stood out as the most important sub.
jects for legislation, with n big fight
assured in both houses. Many other
great questions confronting the Con-
gress. all of them to be approached
vigorously. include monetary reform.
ratification OF arbitration treaties with
Great Britain and France. and tho loan
treaties with Nicaragua and Honduras;
Alaskan legislation. the election OF
Senators by direct vote OF the people.
pension bills, and the regular and per-
manent annual appropriations. to be
under the direction this time in tho
House by a Democratic committee.
Politics Not Overshndowed.
While the Legislative struggles are
In progress, politics Is certain not to be
overshadowed. With the Democrats
looking ahead with sangulne hope for
triumph at the polls next November,
and Insurgent Republicans striking out
in earnest to capture their party con-
ven,ton. II possible, every move mado