The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-04
DEMOCRATS TODAY ASSUME THE HELM
 OF SHIP OF STATE.
(Contiued from Page 1.l


 Wonien, radiant in the bright hues of spring hnery, composed at least half the audience. Diplomat tS filled their reservation and President Taft, | it was shown, had invited guests to the capacity of the gallery placed un- | der his control by the House.
 As a new House is without form | and void it devolved upon Col. Alex. Mcdowell, clerk of the last House, 70 call the members to order. This ne , did standing at his own desk in front of and below the vacant chair pro- vided for the Speaker. He called up- on the chaplain for prayer, the first prayer of a session which always Is printed in the Congressional Record. Mcdowell directed the reading of President Tafts proclamation calling the special session. Then the frou was called alphabetically by states to record the names of the members present. Word passed among the members that 127 substitute names for those of members present at the session that opened last December appeared on the roll.
 Then came the great event of the day, the election of the Speaker. or course, the result was not in doubt but the realization that in few minutes they would see Champ Clark's giant form passing up the marble steps to the Speakers station keyed members and spectators to a state of excite ment. Clark was modestly absent during the operation but it was prov ed later that he was not far away.
 Mcdowell named a Democrat and a Republican as tellers and they took their places at the clerks desk. Each member as his name was called, an nOunced the name of his choice for Speaker. The Democrats piled Ip their majority for Clark and q roar of approval rumbled through the long corridors of the Capitol.
 A committee was appointed to mo- tify the Missouri leader of the honor given him. The Committee accom- plished the task in a few minutes and when they returned the new Speaker smiling and happy, was greeted with another burst of ap- plause.
 Clark made a speech expressing his his realization of the responsibility devolving upon him.. He took the oath of office and proceeded in turn to administer it to the members. They were called in groups to the clear space between the seats and the clerks desk and with upraised hands subscribed to the oath as pronounced by the Speaker
 There followed the election of the clerk, sergeant-at-arms. the door keeper and postmaster of the House. The clerk was ordered to notify the 1 President and the Senate that the House had completed it's organization. A committee was Appointed to act with a committee of Senators to in- form the President that Congress was ready to receive any communicat ton he might be pleased to make
 A resolution adopting 12 o'clock as the time for daily meeting was adopt ed.
 A report was submitted by Chair man Henry Dem. Tex.), of the Com mittee on rules.
 Proceedings differed somewhat in the Senate. it being continuing body. That is, one-third of the mem bers retire or are elected every two years, but two-thirds of the mem bers are fuIl-fiedged with authority ginning of a new Congress.
 With Aldrich, Hale, Kean, Scott, l Burrows, Carter and others of the Standpat leaders missing the attend l startling scene to those familiar with the Senate of recent years. There was no Aldrich to direct the proceed i ings. Progressives, with their in creased numbers and prestige, showed q serene and contented mood.
 Vice President Sherman, ruddy ! with the glow of health, well-groom- l ed, as usual, and also with a flarIns carnation on the lapel of his coat as usual, stepped into the chamber i at one minute to twelve s Sedately | as though there had been no break in the session. He announced pray l CT by the chaplain and when that was over the clerk was directed to reao the Presidents proclamation calling 1 the extraordinary session.
 The roll was called. Reasons for l the absence of a number of mem bers were given by their colleagues.
 Reelected Senators and the new | recruits were lined up in front of the l seats and facing the Vice President | He administered the oath prescribed | by law.
 Resolutions were adopted directing the Secretary to notify the House that the Senate was ready for business and | for the appointment of a committee to join the House committee in visit ing the White House to inform the f President that Congress was ready to hear from him.
 The time-honored resolution pro- viding that the Senate should meet | daily at noon was adopted without | discussion or dissent.
 The galleries, particularly the large one reserved for the families of mem hers were 0cruDied largely by ur,- l