Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-05-23
NEW CONGRESS AT WORK

L
fects of their narrowing experience.
NEW CONGRESS AT WORK
Law M akers Confronted With Unpre-
| cedented Task.
The seth, or reconstruction" con-
gress, called into extraordinary ses-
sion by President Wilson from Paris,
convened at noon last Monday and re-
publican majorities in senate and house
organized both bodies.
Representative Gillett, Of Massachu-
setts, was elected speaker Of the house
over Representative Champ Clark, of
Missouri, democratic candidate and
former speaker, by vote Of 227 to
172.
Senator Cummins Of Iowa, the re-
publican candidate, was chosen presi-
dent pro tempore Of the senate over
Senator Pittman, Of Nevada, democrat,
sent but all republicans were in their
seats, two withholding their votes.
The republicans of both bodies also
elected full states Of other officers and
thus, for the first time since 1911, re-
turned to control of the American ma
tional legislature.
Routine affairs Of organization COM
prised the opening days proceedings,
both bodies adjourning until noon
Tuesday to hear the reading of the
presidents message. The senate con-
cluded it's session in SO minutes and
the house in two hours and 20 min
utes.
Although keenly realized by all
members there was no outward evil
dence in the initial proceedings OF the
enormous amount Of work ahead. The
peace treaty with Germany, including
the league of nations covenant, the
Australian treaty, and the proposed
convention for protection Of France,
are not expected before next month.
All hold promise Of dramatic debate.
Appropriation bills which failed in
the filibuster last March will be rush
ed Immediately in the house. Chair
man Good, of the house appropria-
tions committee Monday called
meeting for tomorrow to begin work
on the general deficiency measure.
Legislation dealing with railroads,
telegraph and telephones, woman
suffrage, prohibition, repeal Of the
luxury taxes and other pressing sub
jects are proposed in the van of i'm
nortant economic and reconstruction
questions. The legislation is expected
by leaders tu hold congress in session
almost continuously until the presi-
Dental conventions Of 1920. Investi-
cations planned by the republicans OF
numerous administration acts also are
expected to begin in the near future
with inauguration probable in the
house in connection with appropria-
ton bills.
The flood d bills which is expected
to make the hew congress momentous
began in the house Monday and the
senate's initial measures began COM
ing in Tuesday. House resolution
number one has the woman suffrage
constitutional amendment measure, in
troduced by former Republican Lead
er Mann, Of Illinois.
Despite the formahty of Mondays
proceedings and the absence OF the
president-the first time congress has
opened with a president on foreign
soil-overfiow crowds in both senate
and house galleries witnessed the birth
of the new congress. Many cabinet Of
fcers and other high officials were
spectators in the house, where cheer-
ing and speech making lent an infor-
NAL tone of popular interest.
When house members were sworn
in. Representative Victor Berger, OF
Wisconsin, the lone socialist member
who was convicted Of violating the
espionage law, was prevented from
taking the oath, upon objection OF
Representative Dallinger, of Massa-
chusetts, chairman Of the elections
committee. He was ordered by Speak
er Gillett to stand aside and was not
allowed to address the house, which
adopted unanimously a resolution au-
thorizing a committee to investigate
his right to membership.
No objection was raised from the
senate floor to the seating Of Senator
Truman H. Newberry, Of Michigan,
Republican, whose election is being
contested by Henry Ford, democrat.
Formal notice Of renewal Of the Ford
contest, with request for a commit
tee investigation, was filed.
| In addition to electing officers the
senate adopted the usual resolutions
to procedure with departure In that
for notifying the president, because
of his absence in Paris, of the con-
vening. The senate committee OF
notification, Republican Leader Lodge
and Democratic Leader Martin met
with the house committee, Republi-
can Leader Mondell, Representative
Mann and former Speaker Clark, and
decided upon different courses. The
senate leaders sent cable merely ad-
vising the president of the senate's for
NAL action today while the house
committee sent a letter Of notification
to the White House.
|
TT Ignorance Of the law excuses no
| Iopa"-excent the Judge