Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-02
SHORT TERM Of CONGRESS Is
FORMALLY Opened WITH
USUAL CEREMONIES

Washington, Dec. 2-Congress met
promptly at noon for the short session
that will terminate with the meaning
OF the Democratic administration
March 4. Crowded galleries looked on
animated scenes on the floor as Speaker
Clark, in the house, and Senator Ba-
con, president of the senate, raped the
respective bodies to order.
In the senate Chairman Clapp of the
Interstate commerce committee an
nounced that an effort would be made
to reach an agreement on report rec
cmmending amendments to the anti :
trust law. The senate adjourned till
II a. m. Tuesday out of respect for the
memory of Vice President Sherman
and Senator'S Hepburn and Rayner
The house received estimates on run
ming the government during the fiscal
year of 1914 from the secretary Of the
treasury. The first bill was intro
duced by Deforest Of New York to pen
former presidents. The house ad.
journed till noon Tuesday
Washington. Dec. 2.-The third ses-
sion Of the Sixty-second congress be-
gins at noon today under circum-
stances Of unusual interest. 1t comes
together after political upheaval Of
far-reaching extent which will soon
transfer all the executive and legisla-
tive branches of the federal govern
ment to Democratic control.
While the present session is merely
the expiring stage Of a congress soon
to go out of existence and to be super
ceded In political control and policy
after March I. yet today's sessions in
the senate and house bring together
for the first time since the recent over
turning those leaders and elements Of
the various parties who have been
most prominent in public affairs. The
old faces and figures are again in evil
dence today, although some of them,
like ex-Speaker Cannon, will soon pass
off the congressional stage, while
others, like Speaker Clark and Chair
man Underwood, have had their ten
ures renewed and strengthened.
AS whole. however, the dominant
note as both branches Of congress as
semble is that new conditions. new
policies and new men have been ush-
cred in as a result Of the recent cleo
tion and that about the only function
of the present short session. lasting
until March 4, is to pass annual sup
ply bills and wind up the remains of
the old regime. -
In the senate, Vice President Sher-
man has been removed by death from
the presiding officers chair, which win
be filled temporarily by Senators Ba-.
con of Georgia. and Gallinger of New
Hampshire. alternating. The Repub-
lican control of the senate. with about
SO votes as against the present Dem
ocratic strength Of about 40. will con-
tinue until March 4. although this con-
troll Is conditioned largely by the pres
ence of two elements, regular and pro-
gressive. in tho Republican total OF
SO. Senators Hepburn of Idaho, and
the last session closed, but in other
aspects the personnel continues un-
until March 4.
Speaker Clark at Helm.
In the house Speaker Clark and the
chairmen of the two preceding
continue to direct alkairs, with
q total Democratic vote Of $50. giving
q Democratic majority of about -.
The personal aspect was very pro-
nounced as the session began today,
the air Of Democratic victory prevail
Ing the capitol from END to end. Scores
of men whose names have been promi-
nently identified with AFFAIRS OF con-
gress for many years, ana who have
shaped politics and LEGISLATION. faced
their last three months Of service a.
The session opened.
In this notable company were the
deans Of house and senate. Uncle
Joe" Cannon. former speaker. and
center Of many turbulent sessions OF |