The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1915-12-06
GAUNT SHADOW
WORLD POLITICS
NATIONAL AND WORLD POLL
TICS OyERsHADOWED OPEN
ING OF CONGRESS TODAY.
MEMBERS SWORN|N
First business Of the National Leg
isla:ive Bodies Was 20 Swear in
the New Members Elected
During Vacation.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.--The
frs, session of the Gath congress
convened at noon today in the
last congressional meeting before
the 1916 presidential campaign.
All 434 members OF the house and
30 senator's, t1-3 OF the whole SEN
atel, we're sworn in. or the for
mer. 116; of the latter, 8, were
new.
Resting upon the legislative pro-
gram OF the new congress today
was the shadow of national and
world politics Tomorrow the adj
,ministration program will be out
lined personally by President viii
son when he reads his opening mes
sage at the joint session. Its known,
big, outstanding features are: Ma
tional Defense, Revenue, War
Measures and Government Ship
Purchase.
There is a mass of other legisla-
1 ton comprising the largest, long
est and most important program of
| a decade Since adjournment of
the 63rd congress last March a
score of new and vital questions
have arisen in addition to many left
over. Continuation of this session
we'll into next summer is predicted
! by veteran legislators.
| There were the usual mammoth
crowds in both senate and house
galleries, representing the eyes of
| hundred million Americans. To-
| days actual business was confined
| TO the routine of swearing in new
members. organization of both
houses and notification of the presi-
dent Of the new legislative epoch.
As the gayels fell at the stroke
of z at both ends of the capitol.
officials and spectators We're sober
ed by the gigantic tasks looming
ahead. Secretary Baker pre-
sided in the senate and South
Trimble, house clerk, in the lower
body pending Speaker Clark's cleo
| ton. After the routine tasks both
| bodies adjourned until tomorrow to
await the presidents message. ac-
eording to ancient and local prece-
dent.
AS completed today, the re-
suit of congressional elections in
November, 1914, the democratic
majority in the senate was increased
from Is to 16. In the house it was
Ireduced from 143 TO "a. The new
senate lineup today was: democrats,
SO: republicans, 30. The new house:
democrats, 229; republicans, 1876;
| progressiyes, Z; socialists, 1 indie
pendents, /; vacant. J.; democratic
majority "a. The last house had 28G
/ democrats. 125 republicans, II pro-
gressiyes and | independent. For
the first time since the 62nd con-
gress the socialist party was again
represented today, Meyer London of
New York being the member.
Reelection of President Wilson
and continued Democratic control
of the nations destinies was con-
coded by most legislators TO hang
upon the results of this session. Po-
Iltical flavor was added to the day
by the presence in Washington of
the Democratic National committee,
which meets tomorrow to decide the
time and place of the 1916 demo-
cratic national convention. A week
later the Republican National
committee meets here for the same
purpose. The reconyening of con-
gress was heralded among all party
leaders as marking the opening Of
the 1916 political campaign.
Both legislative and political in
terest eentered in the administra-
tons billion-dollar national de-
Tense program. Whether democratic
opposition would defeat the presi-
dents plans and also cause breach
in democratic solidarity for the
next campaign. caused much dis
cussion. Chairmen of the naval and
military committees had the bills
practically drafted and ready for
early introduction
Presentation to congress today of
the annual appropriation estimates
insured another billion dollar con
gress. Increased expenditures for
the navy and army preparedness
program bulged the requests.
Unusual spectacular features OF
todays opening ceremonies offset
the uudertone of profundity. WON
an suffrage workers stormed the /
capitol. Galleries were sblaze with |
yellow pennants. In corridors and /
Offices. workers buttonhoied con-
gressmen. The return to public life 4