Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-04
Should Regard All People.
Both Sides Good HUNDRED
as House Control Changes

Proximity at the hour of IL O'CLOCK
noon Clerk Mcdowell called the House
to order and the Rev. H. n. Couden' the
blind chaplain. who was retained by the
democrats, offered prayer.
BEFORE ordering the roll call by states
to ascertain the presence of quorum
Mai. Mcdowell made a brief but humor-
Gus speech, which called out shouts Oh
laughter.
II yrant to thank the members of the
mast eight congresses for their UNIFORM
Kindness and courtesy. During the SIN
teen years that have been IN the set NV
of the House Seventy-e1Sht members nave
died in service and now are sllentiy
waiting beyond the river for the supreme
committee on committees properly 10
place them.
Slam at Democrats.
The republicans thought they rec
ornized slam at the democrats In
this. A few of them applauded. Then
thew began to laugh and finally they
cheered.
Mai. Mcdowell again thanked the
members of past congresses for their
fayors and concluded as follows:
And now. for what they are about
to do to me, 1 thank the members OF
the Sixty-second Congress In advance
and wish them we'll.
AS the roll call proceeded there were
demonstrations for all or the wen
known figures of the House-for Mr..
Cannon, Mr. Mann, Mr.. Payne, Mr..
Underwood and others. When Champ
Clark's name was reached the demon
stration continued until the clerk
called for order.
Galleries Crowded Early.
Although the House was not sched-
uled to meet until noon the galleries
by IL O'Clock were filled to overflow
ing and the corridors leading to them
were crowded with disappointed men
and women. The latter sex. as usual.
was predominant.
The opening ceremonies OF the House
held an unusual interest. 1t was the
first time in sixteen years that the
democrats had taken up the conduct
of affairs in the liower branch Of the
national legislature. New hands were
at the wheel, while the helmsmen OF
former days were about to engage in
the pastime Of rocking the boat. The
transition from a month ago was COM
plete. New faces were everywhere to
be seen Democrats not only filled the
side Of the chamber allotted to them.
but poured over into the erstwhile
sacred precincts of the republicans.
Members of the House, always tardy
on ordinary days of the session, began to
the earliest OF the spectators, and tho
floor was crowded almost as soon as the
galleries. Everybody appeared to be ir
the best of humor.
Smiles on Both Sides.
The democrats wore smiles that would
not come of. while the republican minor
hy also smiled-a grim sort of smile
which meant that they were going to try
to even up for the troubles caused by
the democrats during the days Of repub
iican supremacy.
The opening program in the House, al
ways an interesting spectacle. was fol
lowed today with uncommon keenness.
1t included the calling of the House Il
order by Mai. Alexander Mcdowell, tn.
veteran republican clerk Of the House
who is soon to be replaced: the calling
OF the roll, the election OF the Speaker
Of the members by state delegations an(
the drawing for seats There are always
few privileged members who are al
lowed to choose their seats in advanc,
Of the Drawing. They include usual,
the oldest member of the House. IL
point of service Gen. Bingham OF Penn
syivania, the minority leader and one O
two others. as the House leaders ma,
designate.
Floor Of House Cleared.
When the drawing for seats begins tn.
floor Of the House II cleared The mem
bers retire to tho cloakroom. Marbles
numbered to correspond with the mum
bers assigned to members on the alpha
betical roll. are placed in a large box. !
page does the drawing. As each member
number Is called he goes into the cham
Der and selects a seat on the democrats
or republican side, as the case may be
Oftent1mes the most obscure of the new
members get the choicest seats.
The weather for the opening Of the new
Congress was atrocious. A steady rain
driven before q cold east wind, made tn
day one OF the most disagreeable of tn
winter.
Visitors thronged the ONCE Of Speaker
to-be Clark during the two hours befor
the converting Of the House. Amoni
them Mr.. Mann, to-be minority leader
who caSed to congratulate the man VIII