The Washington herald., 1917-04-03
HOUSE IS ORGANIZED
WITH CLARK SPEAKER
Opening Session of Sixty-6fth Congress
Proves Stirring Event.

History will record the opening Of the
Sixty-fifth Congress OF the United States,
meeting in extraordinary session, as one
OF the most momentous gatherings of
statesmen in the history of the world.
1t wound up Its initial meeting shortly
before 10 O'Clock last night, after a Joint
gathering OF both branches that listened
war days to an address by President Will
son, practically thrusting the United
States into;the war.
Crowds flied the corridors from early
morning until after 1920 p. M. when the
building was cleared.
Summarized. the work Of the House.
which was the active unit OF the day,
was:
1-Re-eIection Of Speaker Champ Clark
2-Re-election Of all Democratic officers
of the House.
S-Adoption Of rules of the. previous ses-
sion.
+Swearing IN. of Miss Jeanette Ran
kin as the first Congresswoman.
5-Resolutions passed favoring the four
large supply bills passed over through
stress Of business at the last session,
and urging enactment by the House
within ten days. They give millions for
preparedness.
Last. but not least. the practical ignor-
ing OF all pacihsts after their belligerent
attitude of the hours preceding conven-
ing.
Only One Surprise.
The organization of the House worked
out as expected. The unexpected thingg
were the nomination of Speaker Clark
for reelection by Representative SchalL
of Minnesota-the blind orator-who n,
vigorous language urged his Republican
colleagues to forget partisanship and
give President Wilson a united party
through a Democratic organization Of the
House. None of the Republicans followed
him in his vote for the Missouri veteran
Minority Leader Mann failed to dis
close the strength that wass-accredited
to him and early In the session II was !
apparent that the insurgents on his own
side held enough votes to make his
election practically an impossibility.
South Trimble. clerk of the House,
opened the session. The prayer OF the
chaplain. Rev. Henry Couden. early dis
closed the grave significance Of the
gathering. He said:
God OF the Ages, our Fathers God
and our God. whose holy influence has
shaped and guided the destiny of our
republic from its inception: We wait
upon that influence to guide US in the
present crisis which has been thrust upon
US.
has failed: every appeal to reason and
justice has been swept aside. We abhor
war and love peace. But If war has been,
or shall be forced upon us. We pray that
the heart OF every American citizen shall
throb with patriotic zeal: that a united
people may rally around our President:
to hold up his hands in every measure
that shall be deemed necessary to pro-
tect American lives and safeguard our
inherent rights.
Let Thy blessing. we beseech Thee,
attend the Congress now convened in ex-
traordinary session under extraordinary
conditions which call for extraordinary
thought wise counsel, calm and delib-
crate legislation: that it resolves and
all its enactments mat spring sponta-
neously from loyal and patriotic hearts:
that our defenders on land and sea may
be amply supplied with the things which
make for strength and efficiency.
And, Oh God, our Heavenly Father,
let Thy strong right arm uphold, sustain
and guide US in a just and righteous
cause; for Thine is the kingdom, the
power, and glory. forever. amen"
SchaIl Names Clark,
When nominations were called for Rep
resentative Schall. of Minnesota, at once
took the floor. and in a ten-minute patri-
otto address. punctuated continually by
Democratic cheers and applause when his
purpose was evident named Speaker
Clark.
The old war horse of the G. o. P, Rep
reSentative Greene, of Massachusetts,
took less than two minutes to nominate
Representative James r. Mann
Representative Lenroot, of Wisconsin.
taVorite or the Republican insurgents for
the Speakership. then strode down the
aisle, and taking the rostrum, made an
impassioned plea for the fealty of all Re-
publicans to the choice of the Saucus.
When the vote was taken, 2O5 MEM
bers voted for the Republican candi-
date, 2l7 cast ballots for Speaker CLARK
TWO votes were cast for Representative
Lenroot. two for Representative Gillette.
and two were recorded as present;
Neither Speaker Clark nor his Republi-
can opponent were recorded.
Representative Schall was the only
Republican TO vote for the Democratic
Speaker. Representatives Gallinger ,
Massachusetts. and Gray. of New Jersey.
voted for Gillette: Representatives
Gardner. of Massachusetts. and Fuller
GndependenD, voted for Representative.
Lenroot. and Representatives James and
Haskell were recorded as present. Every
Democrat voted for Speaker Clark. In
dependent votes he received besides thai
of Schall, were London. Socialist of New
York; Randall, Prohbitionist of Cali !
forna. and Martin, of Louisiana, Pro-
gressive-R republican.
When it was seen that the House was
controlled by the Democrats by a safe
majority. Republican objection to its
formal organization was perfunctory.
Clark Opens Session.
Speaker Clark after a laudatory intro
duction by his late opponent, Representa-
tive Mann. grasped the gavel and pro- |
cecded to the business of the House-the |
election of its officers.
Clerk South Trimble was reelected by |
vote of 217 10 2C5. Sergeant-at-arms Rob- |
srt Gordon was renamed. 219 to 205, and
Doorkeeper Joseph Sinnott was re-elect-
cd by a vote of al to POS, a few party de-
fectiODS heinp noted in tho lotfar ballet