Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1913-04-10
LIVELY SESSION
OPENS CONGRESS
House and Senate Agroo TO Hear
President Today.
..sAT ON" PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Senators Express Regret ut Proposed
Departure from JeffersOnian
CustomS-Big Fight Is
Now On.

Washington, April S.-Congress.
opening in extraordinary session yes
terday under Democratic domino
tion, was enlivened by the activities
Of . healthy youth. the Progressive
organization in the house, and an
invasion Of petition-bearing suffra-
gettes.
But even these novelties were ov-
ershadowed by the preparations for
the precedent-breaking event of to-
day. when President Wilson will de-
liver his tariff message in person
to the nations law makers.
The heralding of the coming of
the president of the United States,
however, was the principal subject
of discussion. The senate hesitated
when n resolution adopted previous
ly by the house providing for a joint
session today to listen to President
Wilson was presented for its con-
sideration. It was a stunning pro-
posal. Not in the lifetime of any
veteran statesman present had such
q thing even been considered. His
tory, they supposed, had closed on
that custom century and more ago.
First an effort was made to have
the resolution Ne over under the
rule, but Vice President Marshall
ruled 1t was a resolution of the
highest privilege.
Before 1t was adopted Senator
Williams Of Mississippi deprecated
the presidents decision to enter
congress and speak his mind to the
peoples representatives. He ex-
pressed the hope that such an event
never would occur again during the
administration. and he doubted the
wisdom of the move, averring that
It could not aid in bringing about
the legislation for which the people
were clamoring.
In the house the resolution was
adopted without debate as soon as
Leader Underwood introduced It.
There plans for the presidents well
come took on gala aspect. Mem
Oers scrambled for special tickets to
he galleries, the occasion being
looked forward 20 as an epochal
went in the history of the admins
ration.
Organization of both houses of
was party concluded yes
erday, the senate having little to !.
o but to mark time. Speaker Clark :.
Ias reelected over James r. Mann, =
and Victor Murdoch,
Progressive, and other officers of =
he house were also reelected. The :,
rogressive strength was tested ON ="
be speakership, Mr. Murdoch re- -
siving eighteen votes. :"
Democrats, led by Represents u,
We Fitzgerald and Republicans mar v,
laled by Leader Mann, Joined fore or
J in sitting upon the new party or
imitation, the first recognized third
'ganization in the house for fifty N
'ars, and Mr. Young was sworn in,
contest of his seat by w. J. Nc
Onald, a Progressive, to be con-
dered later by the elections COM re-
lttee. Co
Sol
The Progressives were not daunt- an,
by their first defeat, and when 40,
Henry OF Texas q
ought in a resolution for the adop- raj
IN of the rules Of the last con- ~,
ess, they were again up and. fight
3. carrying out the pledge of their hr,
ynote speech, delivered by Repre- DR.,
NATIVE Chandler of New York, IN
1t they proposed to fight for pro- "a,
essive principles and legislation. wi
ey succeeded again in obtaining a =,
sognition. but in the end the DEM NJ,
ratio rules prevailed. w,
a.