The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-02
CONGRESS OPENED
At NOON TODAY
Third Session Of the sixty-second
Congress Was Convened When
the Bronze Clocks Pointed,
at Twelvs.
THE HAND OF DEATH
Half Dozen Desk. Draped In Crepe In
the House While Senate Mourns
Loss Of Three Of its
Members.
THE HAND OF DEATH
UNITED Press Special service.]

UNITED Press Special Servioe.1
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-"WhacK,
whack, thumpety-thump."
"Rat-a-tat-tat."
With these gavel strokes today, re-
spectively, in the house and senate,
exactly as the bronze clocks pointed
toll, the third session of the sixty-sec-
ond congress was convened. The
peoples servants were at work again.
From the crack Of the respective
gavels, congress settled into the
traces OF legislative business, to end
only on March when a new presi-
dent and democratic congress step
in.
History-ol scenes were reported to-
day at the opening Of both houses.
Ancient precedents, almost law from
hallowed observance, were vigorously
followed.
In the senate, Senator Augustus o.
Bacon, large, florid and the persona
fication of senatorial dignity" did
the honors. His was the hand which
| lightly tapped the handicapped desk
of the presiding officer.
Speaker Champ Clark, with vigor-
GUS and resounding thumps of bis
gavel, did similar duty at the south
end OF the capitol.
In both chambers, death lent som
Der touch to the opening ceremonies
/ The senate mourned in It's bereave
ment of Vice President Sherman ant
former Senator Hepburn, OF Idaho
! both of whom died during the recess
since last August, and Senator Ray
ner.
4 In the house. half-dozen mahog
any desks, covered with flowers, ant
draped with crepe, brought tear t
| the eye of many returning members
q Out Of resaect to their decease,
members both houses adjourned with
in a very few minutes after conven
ing, after transacting minor an,
necessary initial business.
i Senator Root, OF New York, in
feeling eulogy, officially announce,
in the senate the death Of Vice Pres
ident Sherman, in whose absence tn
president pro tempore of the senate
Senator Bacon, acted as presiding Of
ficer. Senator Borah, of Idaho, 70
lowed the New York senator with tn
i. announcement of the death of hi
? former colleague, Senator HeyburI
Senator Smith OF Maryland, al
nounced the death of hi
colleague, Senator Rayner Re.
olutions were then passed expires!
) ing the deep sorrow of the senate, an
, sympathy for the bereaved familie.
The senate then adjourned unit
Tuesday.
!, Similar recognition Of their dea
, was made In the house.
'rThe house will be in order" wer
Speaker Clark's salutatory remark,
with wide smile-for the A2eaker
: roll call was then ordered, to asce
, tain if quorum Of the house wa
, present.
{ Appointment Of committees to not
: fly the senate and President Taft thu
! the house was In session again an
ready to do business, with faint hi1
to the president that the house we
ready to receive any message or legi
lative suggestions from him, was the
, the final business before the hous
! adjourned until noon Tuesday.
Ponderous machinery of the sena,
!. was slow in getting into motion. I'll
program Of the senate did not inclut
: appointment Of the notification cor
mittee until tomorrow Fixing Of 8
], hour to begin daily sessions Of IL
: senate was another point for settl
ment. Two p. m. is the time favore