Semi-weekly herald., 1911-04-06
SIXTY-SECOND CONGRESS
CONyENES IN EXTRA SESSION

WASHINGTON, April a.-The Six,
ty-second congress convened in extra
ordinary session at noon today with
the interesting situation of Demo.
cratic house and Republican senate
in meeting TO consider the Taft ad-
ministration measures. 1t is the first
time in sixteen years that the Demo
cratic party finds itself in control by
a decisive majority of the house.
One of the first acts of the session
was the election of Champ Clark OF
Missouri, as speaker of the house, to
succeed Joseph G. Cannon.
The session has been called specific
ally for the purpose of giving effect
to the reciprocity agreement with Can
ada which President Taft and Secre-
tary of State Knox 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 will send to
congress when he has been notified
that the two bodies are organized and
ready to receive any communication
he may have to make to them. The
presidents message will urge the en-
actment of the reciprocity pact, but
by his act in summoning congress
into extra session he has flung wide
open the doors for any legislation,
and the Democratic party, with its
promises of fifteen years strewn over
the political battlefield of that period,
has been quick to seize its opportunity
and bills have already been framed to
reduce the tariff on wool and cotton
and food that enter into the common
life of the masses of the people.
Statehood for Arizona and New Mex
leo are promised for this session as is
also resolution providing for amend
ing the constitution whereby United
States senator may be elected by pop
ular vote. 1t is believed that the
reciprocity agreement will be passed
but whether alone or as part of one
OF bills revising a schedule of the
tariff has not yet been settled by
the Democratic legislators. With
such a program ahead the most con-
selvative of leaders insist il will be
September before the work of the
session is completed. Representative
James r. Mann of Illinois was unani-
mously chosen as the candidate for
speaker and the floor leader Of Re-
publicans in the house of representa-
tives at the caucus. He was proposed
to the caucus by former Speaker Can
ncn, and receiving the support of the
regulars and the insurgents present.
Champ Clark was the hero of the
day and his election as speaker called
out much enthusiasm.
1t was very brilliant audience that
assembled, women radiant with the
triPht hues Of spring fnery composed
half the throng. Diplomats filled theii
reservations and President Taft had
invited guests to the capacity of the
gallery which had been placed under
his control by the house.
1t was. nearly o'clock when came
the event of the occasion, the cleo
tion of the speaker. OF course the
result was not in doubt but Champ
Clark's giant form passing up the
marble steps 10 the speakers station
keyed the members and spectators up
to a high state Of excitement. Clark
was modestly absent during the OPP
Grafton bat it proved later that he
was not far away. There followed the
election Of clerk, sergeant at arms,
dcorkeepers and the postmaster of the
house. The clerk was ordered to noti-
fy the president and senate that the
house had completed its organization.
The senate was not demonstrated
Aldrich, Hall, Kcan, Scott, Burrows
Garter and others Of the standpat
leaders missing attendance on the
floor, presented almost the most star
tling scene to those familiar with the
senate. The progressives with their
increased numbers and prestige show
ed serene and contented mood.
Vice President Sherman, ruddy with
the glow of health, and well groom
ed, and with flaring carnation on the
lapel of his coat, stepped into the
chamber at one minute to II as Sc
dately as though there had been nc
break in the session. He announced
prayer by the chaplain and when that
was over the clerk was directed tc
read the presidents proclamation call
ing the extraordinary session. The
roll was called and reasons for alb.
senceo ( number Of members was
given by their colleagues.
The reelected senators and the new
recruits lined up in front of the seati
and facing the vice president, who
administered the oath prescribed by
law. Resolutions were adopted direct
ing the secretary to notify the house
that the senate was ready for business