Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-04
SIXTY-SECOND CONGRESS
BEGINS SPECIAL SESSION


Canadian reciprocity, which failed in
the last session because of a fill
buster against It in the senate, the
62nd congress assembled at noon to-
day.
PROGRAM AMBITIOUS.
In spite OF the fact that the proc
Iamatfon issued by the president
mentioned nothing except reciproc-
fty and IL is expected his message to
the special session will be likewise
circumscribed, an ambition program
has been outlined by the new demo-
cratic majority in the house and the
outcome is in doubt
DISCUSSION FoRESEEN.
The session, because of the anom-
alous situation created by one party
being in control of one branch and
it's rival in power at the other end
of the capitol, is expected TO be long
and filled with turmoil and political
chickering's. Like every other open
ing of congress it drew to the capi-
toI many more thousands of people
than could hope TO secure admission
to the limit of the galleries.
TAKE UP PUBLIC SPACE.
There were so many new mem bers
to be sworn in that the families of
representa- ives and senators were
ordered given special cards and sew
eral sections of the galleries usually
devoted to public use were set aside
for them.
A cold. disagreeable drizzling
rain which fell throughout the fore
noon apparently had no effect what
ever upon the people and long be-
fore Il o'clock, one hour before the
session was TO open. the galleries
were filed and long lines stretches
down the corridors waiting in sfe
vain hope that room would be made
for them.
NEW SPEAKER CENTER.
The chief feature of interest in
the session today. of course, was the
election of Champ Clark of Missouri, |
as speaker of the house. and the re-
turn to the floor of Uncle joe Can
non as mere member from Dan
Vile, H.. and a member of the mi |
nority at that.
The swearing in of congressman
was the first business of the day !
This was to be followed by the pres
entation of the report Of the new
committee on rules and other mat /
ters Of organization.
AFTER I6 YEARS.
The opening ceremonies Of the |
house held an unusual interest. 1t /
was the first time in 16 years that 4
the democrats had taken up the ,
c0nduct cy~s@asFafTs n the lower (
branch OF the national legislature.
New hands were at the wheel, while |
the helmsmen Of former days were |
about to engage in the pastime Of
rocking the boat The transition |
from month ago was complete. New |
faces were eserywhere to be seen. |
Democrats not only filed the side of (
the chamber allotted to them, but |
poured over into the erstwhiIe sac
red precincts of the republicans.
EVERYBODY Is HAPPY.
Members of the house began to |
arrive at the capitol this morning |
with the earliest of the spectators /
and the floor was crowded almost as
soon as the galleries. Everybody I
appeared to be in the best of hu- /
NOR. The democrats wore smiles I
that would not come off, while the |
republican minority also smiled a .
grim sort OF smile which meant that /
they were going to try to even up
for the troubles caused by the dem
Ocrats during the days of republican .
supremacy.
OPENING PROGRAM.
The opening program in the house .
II.
order by Major Alexander Mcdowell. ,
the veteran republican clerk of the ,
house, who is soon to be re-
placed: the calling OF the roll.
the election of the speaker, his
speech OF acceptance, the swearing
in OF the members by state delega-
tions and the drawing for seats.
WEATHER ATROCIOUS.
The weather for the opening of
the new congress was atrocious. A
steady rain, driven before a cold
east wind, made the day most dis
agreeable. Visitors thronged the
office Of the speaker-to-be during the
two hours before the convening of
the house. Among them were Mr..
Mann. minority leader, who called to
the man who was
to beat him for the speak
ership: Governor Harmon OF Ohio;
William Jennings Bryan and Sam
uei Gompers. president of the Amer
Ican Federation of labor
CHAPLAIN THANKS MEMBERS.
Promptly at noon Clerk Mcdowell
called the house to order and Rev.
y. H. Couden. the blind chaplain.
offered prayer