The Detroit times., 1912-12-02
Crepe and FIoqcetS
In. House and Senate

WASHINGTON, Dec. whack.
whack, thunpety-thump"
"Rat-a-tat-tat"
With these gayel strokes today,
respectively, In the house and SEN
ate, exactly as the bronze clocks
pointed to ~. the third session OF
the sixty-second congress was con-
vened. The peoples servants were
at work again.
From the crack of the respective
gavels. congress settled into the
traces of legislative business, 10 end
only on March 4, when a new presi-
dent and democratic congress step
I'm.
History-old scenes were repeated
today at the opening OF both houses.
Ancient precedents. almost law from
hallowed observance, were rigorous
TIy followed.
In the senate Sen. Augustus o.
Bacon, large, florid and the persona
fication Of SENATORIAL dignity" did
the ahonors. His was the hand which
lightly tapped the handicapped
desk OF the presiding officer.
Speaker Champ Clark, with vigor-
Gus and resounding thumps of his.
gavel. did similar duty at the south
end Of the capitol.
In both chambers, death lent a
|somber touch 20 the opening cere-
monies. The senate mourned In its
bereavement of Vice. President Sher-
man and former Sen. Hepburn, OF
Idaho, both Of whom died during the
recess since last August.
In the house, half-dozen ma
hogany desks, covered with flowers,
and draped with crepe. brought a
tear TO the eye OF many returning
members.
Out of respect to their deceased
members both houses adjourned with
in very few minutes after conven-
Ing, after transacting minor and
necessary initial business.
Sen. Root. of New York. in feel
Ing eulogy, officially announced in
the senate the death OF vice-Presi-
dent Sherman. I'm whose absence the
president pro tempore OF the senate,
Sen. Bacon. acted as presiding OIL
GER Sen. Borah, OF Idaho, followed
the New York senator with the an
nouncement of the death OF bis
former colleague, Sen. Hepburn
Resolutions were then passed ex-
pressing the deep sorrow OF the SEN
ate. and sympathy for the bereaved
families. The senate then adjourned
until Tuesday,
Senator Smith, Of Maryland, an.
nounced the death OF his colleague.
Senator Isidor Hayner
Similar recognition Of their dead
was made In the house.
The house will be In order" were
Speaker Clark's salutatory remarks,
with a wide smile--for the speaker.
A roll call was then ordered. to as
certain II quorum OF the house was
present.
appointment Of committees to no
tify the senate and President Taft
that the house was in session again
and ready to do business. with a
faint hint to the president that the
house was READY TO receive any mes
sage or legislative suggestions from
aim. was then the final business be-
fore the house adjourned until noon
Tuesday.
Ponderous machinery of the senate
was slower getting into motion. The
program OF the senate did not In
elude appointment of the notifica-
ton committees until tomorrow
Fixing OF an hour to begin daily ses-
sions OF the senate was another point
for settlement. Two p. m. Is the
time favored by most senator's. until
late in the session.
Presentation OF President Taft's
annual message Is on tomorrow's
program in both houses. II Is almost
transmitted on the second
day of every session.
Opening of the impeachment trial
Of Judge Robert q. Archibald, OF the
commerce court, In also scheduled to-
morrow.
Despite the formal, perfunctory
proceedings today. spectators stormed
the Capitol to witness the inuuEura-
ton Of the concluding session Of this
congress-. The galleries, public and
private, In both chambers. were
TANNED. A sea OF feminine inery.
with fiuttering fans and waving
plumes. made riot OF color and soft
ened the more harsh tone OF the
routine business proceedings.
Many foreign diplomats were In the
diplomatic gallery OF the senate
Wives sisters sweethearts and
friends OF the LEGISLATORS crowded the
private seats Outside in the. halls.
fringes OF spectators clustered each
doorway. TO hear II not TO see, while
hundreds OF tourists and other vfeltpra