The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-06
IS READY FOR WORK |
EXTRAORDINARY SESstoN IS
CALLED TO oRDER-cHAMP
CLARK SPEAKER.
FOR FIRST lime IN l6 YEARS
rsmocrats Flock to Washlngton--Mr.
Ta;t as Vet Has Failed to Express
Ills Views-cemocratlc Plans VIII
iavs Strong Opposition.


Washington. April s.--In accordance
with the call OF President Taft con
gress convened in extraordinary ses-
sion at noon. The house was called
to order by Alexander Mcdowell clerk
of the last session.
For the first time in 16 years the
Democratic party finds itself in con.
troll by most decisive majority in
the lower house One of the first acts
was the election OF Champ Clark OF
Missouri. as speaker to succeed the
picturesque CanuoR. All the world
was there to see. Democrats have
fiocked into Washington during the
past two days from every section of
the country.
As soon as the house was organized
the president was notified that con-
gress awaited any communication he
might wish to send.
The session has been called specifi-
cally for the purpose OF giving effect
to the reciprocity agreement which
! the president negotiated last January.
the best information obtainable at
the White house is that President
Taft will deal with this matter alone
in his message which he win send to
the congress when he has been noti-
fed that the two bodies are organized
and ready to receive any communica-
ton that he might have to make to
them
Spoke for the Democrats.
Next to this message the address
OF Champ Clark ON assuming the
speakership was the most important
utterance OF the day. Mr.. Clark Is
essentially a presidential candidate.
Bur that aside for the present by rea-
son of the post for which he has
been chosen, he speaks for the great
body OF victorious Democrats-he
sounded the party keynote for the
| special session laying down the lines.
marking out the course.
| The presidents message will urge
the enactment of the reciprocity pact
But by this act inesulnmoning con
Igress into extra session he has flung
wide open the doors for legislation
and the Democratic party, with its
promises of is years strewn over the
political battlefields of that period,
has been quick to seize its opportu-
nifty and bills have already been
framed to reduce the tariff on wool.
cotton and the other articles of cloth
| ing and food that enter into the com
mon life of the masses Of people.
The weather for the opening of the
new Congress was atrocious. A steady
rain, driven before cold east wind,
made the day one OF the most dis
agreeable of the year.
| A Demonstration for Bryan.
Exercising his privilege as former
member of the House, Mr.. Bryan APP
peared in the chamber. He was
quickly recognized by the gallery
crowds and demonstration which
started with applause soon was taken
up with cheering, both on the floor
and in the galleries.
A few minutes later Governor Har
mon of Ohio appeared on the floor
and the cheering was renewed.
Mr.. Mann, as the new minority lead
err also was greeted with applause.
Mr.. Mann and Mr.. Clark, as the two
candidates for the speakership, had
their pictures taken in the speakers
| Offices.
The Blind Chaplain Retained.
Promptly on time Clerk Mcdowell
called the House to order and the
Rev. II. 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 a
quorum, Major Mcdowell made q
| brief speech.
AS the rcll call proceeded there
| were demonstrations for all Of the
well-known figures Of the House =.
Mr.. Cannon, Mr.. Mann, Mr. Payne
Mr.. Underwood and others When
Champ Clark's name was reached the
demonstration continued until the
oIerk called for order.