The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-12-08
GATH CONGRESS
NOW IN SESSION
WILSON READS MESSAGE IN
PERSON N-NATIONAL DE.
FENSE A BIG ITEM .&
DEMOCRATS LEAD
Increases From Elections Held In
November Brings Average
Up to Sixteen


sion of the 64th congress convened
Of noon to-day in the last congress
sional meeting before the 1916 pres
idential campaign. All 435 mem
hers of the house and 80 senator's,
(1-3 of the whole senate). were
sworn in. Of the former, 116; Of
the latter, 9 were new.
Resting upon the legislative pro-
gram of the new congress today was
the shadow of the national and
world politics. Tomorrow the ad-
ministration's 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 Meas
ures and Government Ship Pur-
hase. 49,.
There is a mass of other legisla-
ton comprising the largest, longest
and most important program of a
decade. Since adjournment of the
63rd congress last March a score Of
new vital questions have arisen in
addition to many left over. Con-
tinuation 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 a
hundred million Americans. To-
days actual business was confined
to the routine of swearing in new
members, organization of both hous-
es and notification Of the President
of the new legislative epoch.
AS the gavels fell at the stroke Of
twelve at both ends of the capitol
officials and spectators were sobered
by the gigantic tasks looming ahead.
Secretary Baker presided in the sem
ate and South Trimble, house clerk,
in the lower body pending Speaker
Clark's election. After the routine
tasks both bodies adjourned until to-
morrow to await the Presidents
message, according to ancient and
legal precedent.
AS complemented today, the result
of congressional elections in Novem-
Der, 1914, the Democratic majority
in the senate was increased from 13
to l16. In the house it was reduced
from 143 to 25. The new Senate
lineup today was: Democrats, So;
Republicans, 90. The new House:
Democrats, 23O; Republicans, 1876;
Progressives, 7; Socialists, 1; inde-
pendents, l. The last house had
286 Democrats, 1875 Republicans,
II Progressives and 1 independent.
For the first time since the 62nd
congress the socialist party was
again represented today, Meyer Lon
don, of New York being the member:
The suffragists, several thousand
of whom are in the city, gave DEM
onstration this morning IN parade.
The proposed amendment to the con-
stitution will be the first bill in the
House. It will be introduced by Rep
resentative Mondell, of Wyoming.
The galleries began filling early.
Senator Owen was the first member
on the Senate floor. Conservation
bills will be reintroduced. None OF
the principal administration bills
have yet been launched. The ship
purchase bill has been postponed.
None of the revenue measures nave
been drafted as yet.
The battle lines are being drawn
between the opposing factions,
Senator Gallinger was reelected
chairman of the Republican caucus.
Representative Gardner proposed
the investigation of preparedness
and peace propagandists of the
house and of others.
Representative Jones, OF Virginia.
favors the extension of self-govern-
ment to the Philippines, and Repre-
sentative Montage, of Virginia, per-
mitted members of the Cabinet to
appear on the floor of the House and
the Senate.
Representative Kincheloe, of Ken.
tucky, favors an appropriation OF
one million dollars to each state for
good roads provided the same
amount is raised by each state.
On the Senate side Senator Mar
tin, president pro tenn, swore In Sen
ators beginning the new term, IN
Guiding Senator Clarke, pro tenn.
ROY SLIPPER.