The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-04-05

WASHINGTON, April 4.-The sixty
second congress met In extraordinary
session to-day. What the session will
bring forth in the way OF legislation
or when II will adjourn were matters
on which no one in Washington cared
TO venture an opinion.
The Democrats took full possession
of the house and put Champ Clark, OF
Missouri, in the speakers chair. In
his speech accepting the honor. Mr..
Clark warned the Democratic members
that the eyes of the country were
upon them; that the party was on
trial and that IT had an opportunity
for the first time in sixteen years to
prove it's worthiness for a still higher
expression OF confidence on the part
OF the American people.
Presidential Flight Looms.
Throughout the day the shadow OF
the coming presidential fight hovered
about the capitol and there is no ques-
tion but that maheuvers for political
advantage will play an important part
in the affairs OF the house and the
senate during the next few months.
William Jennings Bryan, OF Nebras-
ka, and Governor Harmon, OF Ohio,
were prominent figures on the floor
OF the house during the opening cere-
monies. and both shared in the Demo
cratic demonstrations that marked the
day. Had Governor Woodrow Wilson
been present The list Of Generally &C
cepted Democratic presidential posi-
bilities would have been complete
Senate Changes Marked.
The senate's opening was sedate as
usual And while the leadership Of
the upper branch OF the new congress
remains in Republican hands, the
change in the personnel OF those as
Euming command was almost as mark
ed as I'm the house itself Aldrich.
Hale. Beveridge. Scott and n dozen
others OF both the regular and pro
gressive factions OF the majority we're
missed.
President Taft's message. dealing
with Canadian reciprocity alone, will
be read In the two houses OF congress
tomorrow. II was with the idea Of
securing action on this agreement that
the extraordinary session was called
Representative Berger. OF Wiscon-
sin, the sole Socialist in the house.
voted present" during the speaker.
ship balloting. He also chose a seat
on the Republican side. Because" he
afterwards explained. u belong TO the
opposition"
The drawing for seats attracted
keen Interest a page. blindfOlded.
sat at the clerks desk and drew nun.
bered marbles from a ballot box Each
member had previously been given
number IN alphabetical order AZ the
marbles we're drawn and their names
called the members entered tho
chamber and chose any seat that re-
maiued vacant
IN Republican Lines.
Because - their heavy majority -
vas necessary FOR thirty Democrats.
Including many prominent ones. 10
pre-empt a strip Of seats on the Re
publican side. -Four of these are com
nitfce chairmcn- Sulzor. foroignod
affairs. Lloyd accounts. Johnson.
District ~ Columbia. and sparkman.
rivers and harbOrs -Four sOfhgrs are
members of tho all powerful commit.
toe on ways and means. and commit.
tee on Comu<tfoos- Hughes. New
Jersey Shackicf0rd Missouri. KIfrb.
81. North Carolina ami Harrison. Now
York
Representative Lltuoton. Now
York. BIricsOn. OF Texas. H0ro.
land. Missouri Bartlett. Georgia. and
Martin. Colorado. are among others
reiterated % fho Republican strip
When fho Republicans found lf mo-.
eaearr f0 invade mo Democratic sld0
of Tho chamber their section was
Known aa Tho Cherokee rfrfD" T0.
DAY Representative Hurioaon OF Texas
chrisiened Tho Democratic scdion on
tcontinusa on Tenth ParsJ