Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1911-04-04
REPRESENTATIVE CHAMP CLARK
OF MISSOURI is ELECTED
SPEAKER
THREE OTHER CANDIDATES
OF THESE JAMES r. MANN OF
ILLINOIS POLLS LARGEST
NUMBER OF VOTES
RECIPROCITY BILL PRESENTED
M'cALL OF MASSACHUSETTS
FoRESTALLs SUCH ACTION
BY DEMOCRATS

Washington, April 4.-Called in ex.
traordinary session by President Taft
toAconsider the question of Canadian
reciprocity, which failed at the last
session, because of filibuster against
1t in the senate, the Sixty-second con
gress assembled at noon today, In
spite OF the fact that the proclama-
tion issued by the president mention
ed nothing except reciprocity, an am.
bilious program has been outlined by
the new democratic majority in the
house and the outcome is in doubt.
The session, because of the anomalous
situation created by one party being
in control of one branch and its rival
at the other end of the capitol is ex-
pected to be long and filled with tur-
moil and political pickering.
Both houses of congress were call
ed to order promptly at IL o'clock.
Like every other opening of congress
great crowds filled the galleries long
before the session was called to or
der. Governor Harmon of Ohio and
William Jennings Bryan met on the
floor of the house, just before the ses-
sion opened, amid deafening demon
stration. Both men are in Washing
ton on professional engagements.
The opening program of the house,
always an interesting spectacle, was
followed with uncommon keeness.
Major Alexander Mcdowell, the veter-
an republican clerk, called the house
to order. The program then included |
the calling of the roll, the election of
Champ Clark as speaker, his speech
of acceptance, the swearing in of the
members by state delegations and the
for seats. AS the roll call |
proceeded there were demonstrations
for all well known figures in the
house, for Uncle Joe" Cannon, Mr.
Mann, Mr.. Payne, Mr.. Underwood and
others. When Champ Clark's name
was reached the demonstration con-
tinued until the clerk called for order
Although the ceremonies in the SEN
ate were secondary in interest, the
galleries there also were filled The
only ex-senator present was SS-year-old
Henry Gassaway Davis, of West Vir-
ginia. New senators were sworn in
in squads of four, the oath being ad
by Vice-President Sher-
man. The first quartette was COM
posed of Bryan, Florida; Chiffon,
West Virginia; Clapp, Minnesota.
Clark, wyoming. Mr.. Chiffon took
the oath on a bible given him by his
mother AS soon as the senators were
sworn in, the roll was called, and
Senators Gallinger and Bacon were
appointed committee to wait on the
president to notify him the senate was
in session and prepared to do busi
ness. The only feature not on the pro-
gram was motion by Senator Bailey
of Texas, who sought to have the hour
for daily meetings set at 2 instead
of noon. Ultimately he withdrew the
but promised to renew it
later. At 2:09 o'clock the senate ad-
iourned until noon tomorrow.
Representative Champ Clark of Mis-
souri, was elected speaker. He re-
ceived 217 votes against 131 for
James R. Mann of Illinois, 16 for Hen
ry A. Cooper of Wisconsin, and one
for George w. Norris of Nebraska.
The three last named are republicans
Shortly after the house was called
to order. Representative Mccall of
Massachusetts,, foresalling such action
by the democrats, introduced the Can
adian reciprocity bill, which was pass
ed by the house at the last session.
President Taft's first message to
the Sixty-second congress will go in
tomorrow, according to unofficial in
formation given out at the White