Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-09
UNCLE JOE" CANNON AGAIN
1000 Bills and Resolutions Are
introduced, Which Deal with
Preparedness and Opposition
to 1t, Woman Suffrage and
Many Other Things.

Washington, Dec. 6.-CongresS assem-
bled and organized to-day for the session
which is expected to be the greatest with
in the memory of the present generation.
-Four hours work in the House saw
Speaker Clark returned to the chair, Rep
resentative Mann returned to the leader
ship of the republican minority; the intro
duction of two thousand bills and resolu-
tons, many of them proposing measures
Of national defense and many others in
opposition; the temperance of constiti-
tional amendments to enfranchise women;
and a miniature rules fight that flickered
out with the adoption of last years rules
with a few changes.
In the Senate, virtually nothing was
done except the election of Senator Clarke
Of Arkansas as president pro tempore.
ice-President Marshall was absent be-
cause Of the illness OF his wife.
Both Houses then, after sending
joint committee to the White House to
Congress. adjourned until tomorrow.
when the real business of the session
begins with President Wilson'S address
to the joint session in the hall Of the
House at T. 80 O'Clock.
ever placed before any American Con-
gress in times of peace was brought in
from the various branches of the gov
eminent, the total being some one hum
dred and seventy million dollars more
than was asked for last year. The
great part of the proposed increased ex-
penditure is for the enlarged army and
navy programs, and aside from work.
ing out the problem of national defense
It will be the business Of Congress to
raise the revenue to pay for it.
Old-timers, most OF them republicans
reelected after going down before the
presidential democratic landslide of 1872.
came trooping back to places in the
House. eager for part in the absorbing
business of the next few months.
Uncle Joe" Cannon sat on bench in
the front row and laughed while the
House got into its little row over the
rules and hot references to "Cannonism"
were hurled back and forth across the
dividing aisle.
Even though to-day was only n field
day, one for making new acquaintance
and renewing old ones, tho congressional
air was charged with the seriousness of
the business of the months ahead. the
| business of legisating for a nation at
peace in a world ahame with war and
surrounded with almost endless posi-
bilities.
In the stream of bills and resolutions
that poured into the hopper were not only
plans for military preparedness but 9TH
ers proposing investigation of the motives
of men and organizations who champion
/ ~ civ hD
IN the Senate demands would be made
| for a showing of what the United States
has accomplished against Great Britain's
! Interference with American commerce
+, abroad. The entire question of the Amer
| lean government delicate relation to the
conflict across the seas probably will be
brought into congressional discussion.
After the President has delivered his
address tomorrow both houses will pro-
coed to perfect their organizations. Unit
the working committees are fully formed
| no legislation can be undertaken. Will,
the House democrats are organized the
republican assignments will not be made
before the cnd Of tho week. The Senate
democratic assignments will he announced
later In the week. The republicans begar
) their part of the organization work to-
day, re-electing Senator Gallinger thcil
floor leader and chairman OF their confer
ence. Although some of the principa
bills upon which the administration force.
will be concentrated will be introduce,
soon, none Of them can be taken up unit
tho committee organizations are com.
plete.
The first roll call In the House to
day showed 427 members present anc
eight absentees-one of them accounted
for by death The democratic majority
although reduced, put Speaker Clarl
back in the chair, 22l to 1874, and wher
the brush came on re-adopting the rule
OF the last House the democratic lead
ers showed they still had "A majority II
hand, beating Republican Leader Mann,
proposal for revision, 2o9 to 1872
In the Senate the newly elected an,
reelected members took the oath. TIL
body was leaderless when Secretar,
Baker raped for order at noon an,
Senator Martin of Virginia was chose,
in, Senator's Brady of Idaho and smtl
of South Carolina being absent. Afte
this ceremony Senator Clark was elect
ed and the Senate recessed,
The cloture fight. as "A result of it
failure in the democratic caucus, did no
come I'D. When the old rules were re
adopted. however, Senator Walsh q
Montana announced that he reserved tn
right to submit rule revisions at a late
time.
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