Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-08
WISHES APPEAL HEARD
Says Executive and Lawmakers
Are Servants in Common
Cause.
president Wilson's message Is
printed in full on page o. this issue
Editor Arsus.)

Washington, D. c., April S.-Presi-
dent Wilson reverted today to the
custom of century ago in reviving
the precedent by which congress heard
from the lips of the chief executive
his message to the national legislal
ure. Two motives influenced Wilson
10 read in person his first communica-
ton to congress-the perfunctory way
in which presidential messages usually
are received and his desire that every
member hear his appeal for a thorough
revision OF the tariff The message
took less than Is minutes to read.
PRESIDENT Is PERSON.
President Wilson began as follows:
81 am very glad indeed to have this
opportunity to address the two houses
directly and to verify for myself the
impression that the president of the
United States is a person, not a mere
department of government, hailing
congress from some isolated island of
jealous power, sending his message,
not speaking naturally and with mis-
own voice, and that be is a human be-
ing trying to cooperate with other hu-
man beings in a common service. After
this pleasant experience, l shall feel
quite normal in all our dealings with
one another"
BRYAN UNABLE TO ATTEND.
SECRETARIES. Lane, McAdoo, Daniels
and Garrison, with their families, took
seats in the executive gallery TO hear
the president read his message. Sec
retary Bryan said he had another en-
gagement and could not go. Mrs Viii
son and her three daughters also took
seats in the gallery.
GALLERIES PACKED.
The house galleries were packed
with the wives. families and friends
Of senators and representatives two
hours before the president was sched-
uled to appear. Admiral Dewey was
escorted 10 a seat On the floor, taking
advantage for the first time of a privi-
leEe extended him by congress when
he returned triumphant from Manila,
He was Cheered as he entered the
chamber. So unusual was the event
that Superintendent Woods of the cap
itol installed a moving picture camera
10 take moving pictures of the extra
ordinary scene. The film will be pre-
J served as historic record.
GIVEN CLOSE ATTENTION.
President Wilson, on his way from
the White house, was accompanied
only by his secretary and one secret
service man. Upon arriving at the
capitol the president was escorted to
the rostrum, where Speaker Clark sat
az one side and Vice President Mar
shall at the other. The president
spoke with his usual clarity of tone
and with notable diction. The audi
ence, which actually packed the cham
| Der, gave the closest attention.
SILENCE Is INTENSE.
The president was cheered as he
mounted the rostrum and shook hands
with Speaker Clark. He began TO speaI
/ Immediately. There was intense 81
lence in the great room. The presi
dent was speaking in an ordinary tone
as he explained his coming in person
/ 10 deliver his message.
APPLAUSE FROM FLOOR.
! A murmur of conversation that
swept the gallery when the presiden'
| began was soon hushed as the tall i'm
/ posing figure at the clerks desk read
on in his commanding but converse
tional style. AS he closed his intro
ductory remarks explaining his pres
[ ence. senators and Representatives
I joined in applause. The president
concluded reading at los amid wave
Of applause. and Immediately left tbs
chamber. AS the president cOnclud
ed. he said:
q thank you sincerely"
AS the house and senate members
arose and applauded, the presiden
stepped quietly down from the clerk!
desk and. escorted by the reception