The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-08
'V|RG|N|ANS PLAY
LEADING ROLES
They Arc Expected to Take
High Places in Work
of Session.
NEW MEMBERS PRESENT
Montague and Watson Attend
Opening, Former Intro
ducing Bill

Washington, April 7.-This was a
big day for the Virginia delegation in
Congress. Not only were the old mem
bcrs OF both the House and Senate
present wien the two bodies were
called to order, but there were two
new faces In the House, former Gov
crnor Andrew j. Montague and Judge
Watson. Governor Montague entered
tho House just before the now aes-
sion began and took Il good scat on the
Democratic side where he soon met
Il number OF members who are to be-
como his colleagues. Judge Watson,
no: coming in quite so soon, had TO
content himself for u while with :.
scat on the Republican side. hut not
finding this altogether to his liking,
and not very congcnial. he kept his
eyes wide open, and when there was
n vacant place on the other side Of
tho chamber among the Democrats 10
promptly moved over. Both he aud
Governor Montague met n number of
members during tho day and received
:, coc,ia! welcome from their fellow
Democrats.
While tho day was largely given
over To the wranglinS of the Progress
sivc party men, there were number
OF interesting Informal conferences
held among the Virginians regarding
appointments which arc expected 10
be made soon. Iittlo groups OF Vir-
Sinians mot here and there and dis
cusscd the probabilities of the near
future.
Judge Watson told The Times Dis
patch correspondent that inasmuch as
he was n new man he Thought it best
TO say little for short .:fne, but to
listen to what some OF tho older mem
bers had to say. 1t Is quite probable,
however. that he will be heard from
within ~ short time.
Congressman Montague started tho
ball rolling by introducing the fol-
lowing bill to authorize Cabinet mem
bcrs to take part in tho deliberations
of Congress:
THAT tho Secretary OF State. tho Sec
rotary OF tho Treasury. tho Secretary
of War, tho Attorney General, the
Postmaster General. the Secretary OF
tho Navy, the Secretary Of tho Into
rior. tho Secretary Of Agriculture, the
Secretary nf Commerce and the Score
tary OF Labor shall be omitted to oc-
cupy seats on the floor OF tile Senate
and House or Representatives., with
the right to participate in debate on
matters relating to the business OF
their respective departments. under
such rules as may he prescribed b.
tho Senate and House. respectively.
That tho said secretaries. tho Attor-
ncY-Gcncral. the Postma General.
shall attend the sessions OF tho senate
on tho opening Of tho sttini,s ON Tues
day and Friday OF each week. and the
sessions OF tho House of Representa-
tiNcs on the opening OF the sittings
on Monday and Thsrsday OF each
week. to give information asked by
resolution. OF in reply TO questions
which may he propoundcd to them un-
der tho rules OF ~ Senate and House;
and the Senate and tho House may, by
standing orders. dispense with the at
tendance Of one or more of said Off
Gers on either OF said days"
Mr. Montague stated TO The Times
Dispatch correspondent that he thor
ouShiy approved the idea Of President
Wilson reading his message to-mor-
row To q joint session OF the House
and Senate. He did the same thing as
Of Virginia. while he was
in the executive Office, the first time ia
:; great many years that such course
had been followed.
While the two new members OF the
deiusution just named came in for
measure Of attention. tho
old members We're also on hand rcady
for busy term OF work. All things
considered. the Virgininns now in Con-
gress should get good results Tor their
during the next few
months. +. II. MEG.