The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-04-10
WASHINGTON is SURPRISED BY
INNOVATION REVlViN6 A
CUSTOM OF 100 YEARS AGO.
GETS A HEARTY RECEPTION
Presidents Departure Intended to
Cement Executive and Lenis-
lative Departments Of
Government.

Washington President Wilson was
warmly received when he read his
message at joint session Of the sen.
ate and house OF representatives.
The presidents action evoked much
comment among the congressional
leaders. He is the first president OF
the United States to appear officially
before either branch Of congress in
deliberatiye session since John Ad.
ans In the first few years of the last
century.
An attempt was made exactly 100
years ago, in 1913. to revive the Gus.
tom, but President Madison declined
an invitation TO discuss foreign rela-
tons with the senate. Since then no
president even has suggested joining
In the deliberations OF congress.
President Wilson believes he can
get in closer touch with members OF
both houses by personally expressing
his views to them.
Congress conVenes.
Bright, sunshlny, although chilly,
weather, giving an invitation to the
public, those with and without admis.
sion cards. marked the opening day OF
the special session OF congress. Tho
parade Of the suffragettes TO the capt.
tol from their downtown mass meet
ing added thousands of spectators.
Women In new spring togs we're in
the majority among the throng. Their
brilliant costumes lent a picturesque
touch OF color TO the ordinarily SOM
bre scene.
In the senate the orderly, dgnifed
procedure Of reconvening after tho
special session Of March 5 was car
ried through with no unusual feature.
Two new senators were sworn in
Lawrence Y. Sherman OF Illinois and
Nathan b. Con of West Virginia.
Clark Is Chosen Speaker.
The first business in the house
chamber was the organization of the
lower Legislative body. Its members
were called to order by Clerk South
Trimblc, and then organized by selec.
ton Of q speaker and other officers.
James r. Mann Of Illinois was the
choice of the Republicans for the
speakership, and Victor Murdoch OF
Kansas that OF the Progressives.
Both were supported by votes from
their parties, but It was Champ Clark
Of Missouri who was elected by the
overwhelming votes of the Demo
cracy.
The procedure OF electing officers
followed the call of the roll OF new
members.
The political compilations of the two
branches of congress at the extra ses-
sion, will be as follows House
Democrats. 291; Republicans, 81;
Progressives, Progressive Republicans
and Washington party men, AZ. Sem
ate--Democrats, 81; Republicans, "A;
Progressivcs, |.
Democrats In Power.
For the first time In many years
the Democrats have q working major
ity in both branches. And for the
first time there will be an organized
third party in the house, party
numerically small. 1t is true, but ono
that is expected to play conspicuous
part in the proceedings.
By reason of the change resulting
from the election last November,
many new faces were seen at both
ends Of the capitol. or the 291 Dem.
ocrats in the house, 1903 were new
members. untrled and unlnitiated into
the ways of congress. There were
144 Republicans and Progressives.
and Of these 55 were freshmen. Equal
In proportion were the changes In
the senate, where many veteran leg.
islators were missed.