The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-03
CONGRESS IN
CLOSING SESSION

Continued from Page One.
Aiken. of New York. who acknowledges
no party and caucuses with none? Al
any rate. his shoulders were as squarely
set, his smile was as engaging, and. APP
parently, his repartee was quite as
worthy of appreciation as when he had
behind him the then powerful prestige
Of the Speaker.
Ovation to Uncle Joe.
And Uncle Joe had an ovation of a
character which must have meant balm
to any wounded heart he may have car
ried. 1t was as spontaneous as general
as that accorded Speaker Clark. when,
promptly at high noon he marched to
his chair. 1t was Joined in by both
sides of the chamber. II was as whole
hearted as the embrace Uncle Joe re-
| ceived from Chairman Fitzgerald, of the
| Appropriations Committee, a few min
utes later when the two men. who for
years have served on the same commit
tee and met in heated debate on the
floor. met the Speakers table.
| Sessions in both Houses were brief.
The Senate adjourned in twenty-four
minutes. The House was in session one
| hour and ten minutes. Both Houses had
their dead to memorabilia in resolutions
| and both adjourned until to-day out of
| respect to the memory of the late Vice
President. James Schoolcraft Sherman
who had served with distinction in both
| Houses.
Solemn Scenes In senate.
The scenes in the Senate were more
solemn even than usual Added to gloom
caused by the vacant chairs of the Vice
| President and Senators Hepburn of Idaho
and Rayner of Maryland. was the general
depression among the Republicans over
the fact that they would soon be called
upon to hand the control OF the Senate
over to the Democrats. \ number of
! Republican lame ducks-the venerable
Shelby VI. Cullom of Illinois. Charles Cur
tbs of Kansas and Others-wandered
about and greeted their old colleagues,
but there seemed to be little joy in the
air.
Uncle Ike Stephenson, Of Wisconsin, at
tracted more attention than any other
Senator. The vacation had played hob
with his appearance. His well-known
long, scraggly beard had been trimmed
down to 2 fine French point, and some
Of his colleagues had to look twice be-
fore they would believe II.
Only siXty-six Of the ninety-six Sena-
tors were present at the opening. Three
OF them, Oliver OF Pennsylvania, Brad
ley Of Kentucky, and Sutherland of Utah
were prevented from attending on &C
count OF Illness. After the customary
opening prayer and the passage of the
formal resolutions declaring that the
Senate was ready to transact business.
Senator Root announced with a brief
eulogy the death of Vice-President Sher-
man and offered a resolution of regret.
The death of Senator Hepburn was
announced by his colleague, Mr.. Borah,
and that of Senator Rayner by Senator
Smith of Maryland. message of sym
pathy was read from the Brazilian Sen
ate.
Senator Bacon of Georgia presided
over the Senate in its opening deIibera-
tons as President pro tempore. He was
chosen before Congress adjourned 10
serve until December 16.
House Democrats Joyful.
In the House the opening scenes were
in striking contrast to the dignified per-
Torrance in the Senate. The chamber
was packed with members and outsiders.
The Democrats were in a joyful frame
Of mind over their recent victory at the
polls and the prospect of undisputed con-
troll OF the government. On the other
hand, the Republicans were a bit down.
cast, although their Progressive breth-
rem seemed to be disposed to indulge
in a sort OF jollifCation meeting with
the Democrats. Such members of the Old
Guard as Uncle Joe Cannon entered the
chamber with heads erect and with no
outward appearance that their spirit
had been crushed by defeat Taken as
a whole. the occasion was a lively one.
some members being congratulated on
victory, while regrets were expressed
that others had been defeated.
Politics appeared to be forgotten for
the time. and there were no exhibitions
of parisanship such as are bound to crop
out before the session has passed into
history. Representative Mann of Illinois. |
the Republican leader. spent some time
on the Democratic side greeting his po-
litical opponents while Representative |
Underwood. the Democratic leader. wan |
dered over to the Republican side to
greet former Speaker Cannon. Repre- |
sentative Payne of New York, Represen- |
tative Dalzell of Pennsylvania. and others
who have served in the House with him |
for many years.
Receptions to Leaders.
The features of the House opening were
the receptions given Speaker Clark, for
mer Speaker Cannon. and four Governors
elect, who will soon retire from Congress
to take up their new duties. Governors
elect Sulzer Of New York. Cox of Ohio.
and Robinson of Arkansas, were honized
by their Democratic fellows Representa-
tive Hanna of North Dakota, Republi-
can GovernOr-elect OF that State, was
given a fine reception by both parties.
Representative Sulzer was accorded an
ovation. He arrived just at the conclu-
sion of the chaplain's prayer speaker
Clark had just banged for order ana an
that the House was ready tor
business. The House was gazing directly
at Speaker Clark which Mr.. Sulzer swung
in at the door just to the right OF the
Speakers rostrum. The House broke out
into applause. Mr.. Sulzer bowed IN &C
and proceeded TO his seat.
He was at once surrounded by members
eager to congratulate him upon his cleo
ton as Governor of New York. Govern
or-elect Cox of Ohio, of extremely youth
full appearance, was also forced TO DOW
his acknowledgements. as were Governors
elect Hanna and NRobinson. II
Cheer Veteran Leader.
Uncle joe Cannon received what was
probably the biggest demonstration OF
the day. In point of service Mr.. Cannon
Is Father of the House" Upon the
of his career in Congress on
March 4 ~ Cannon will have served