Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-05-23
REPUBLICANS NOW
CONTROL CONGRESS
G. o. P. Elects GiIIett Speaker of
the House.
HONORs M IN SENATE
Berger Is Refused Recognition, Waved
Aside, and Bidder to Be Silent
Proceedings of First Day De-
voted to Organization.

Washington, May 2O.-The "recon-
struction" congress. assembling in ex-
traordinary session at noon, under
the call by President Wilson from
Paris May Z, marks the return to
power of the Republicans and loss by
the Democrats of control over the ma
tional legislature.
GilIett Elected Speaker.
Representative Gillett of Massachu-
sets (Rep.) was elected speaker Of
the house over Champ Clark (Dem.).
BY a majority of two votes the Re-
publicans took control of the senate,
electing Senator Cummins president
pro tempore and defeating Senator
Key Pittman of Nevada, Democrat, by
a record vote of AZ to ~.
On the first roll call all Republicans
except Senator Cummins himself and
Senator Calder Of New York, who
withheld his vote in recognition of a
pair with Senator Gerry of Rhode
Island (Dem.), voted for Cummins.
After the Republicans completed their
organization the senate adjourned un-
til tomorrow.
Suffrage Amendment Leads.
The woman suffrage constitutional
amendment got top place on the house
calendar. BY general agreement Rep
resentative Mann's joint resolution.
similar to the measure passed last
session by the house and defeated in
the senate, was designated No. l.
A resolution to repeal the luxury
tax as of the war revenue, agreed
upon by leaders of both parties at the
last session, was introduced by Rep
~resentative Moore of Pennsylvania as
a part of the Republican party's leg
islative program.
The business Of swearing in new
senators was disposed of quickly. In
the house there were a greater num-
Der of new members and it took
longer. All the Republican senator's
were present; four Democrats were
absent.
The Immediate work is passage be-
fore July 1 of seven regular annual
appropriation bills which failed in
the senate flfbuster last March.
After that will come consideration
of the peace treaty and of the league
Of nations, and railroad, shipping, rev.
enue, woman suffrage, prohibition,
army and navy and many other meas
ures. Many Investigations, particu-
larly into war activities, are expected.
Republicans in Control.
mbo Dnp,,h1inonc fon tho fTcf finn0
since 1911, had majorities in both
branches of congress as a result Of
the congressional elections last No
vember.
In the house they have a margin Of
40 votes. In the senate their majority
is only two, raising questions, in view
of factional and other differences, of
future action.
Republican action is restrained by
President Wilson'S veto power. Co
operation between administration Off
walls and the Republicans is expected
on uncontested matters.
New Bill Flood Starts.
The avalanche of bills and resolu-
tons incident to a new session began
today in the house, but Introduction
of senate measures went over.
Final action by the senate OF the
peace treaty and the covenant of the
league of nations before July 1 is not
generally expected, although much dis
cussion meanwhile is planned. Be
sides the treaty itself the proposed
agreement with Great Britain and
France for protection Of France from
attack by Germany promises much dis
cussion.
Prohibition enforcement legislation
is expected to receive early attention.
Repeal of the war prohibition meas
ures as well as the constitutional
amendment is to be urged.
Bergen MOI Sworn In.
Victor Berger of Wisconsin, whose
right to a seat is contested because he
is under conviction for violation of the
espionage law, did not attempt to vote.
When the name of Berger was called
as new members were sworn, Repre-
sentative Dallinger of Massachusetts,
chairman Of the elections committee,
formally challenged his right to be
seated.
Speaker Gillette directed Berger to
stand aside when he appeared for the
oath, and refused to recognize him
when he tried to speak as a matter Of
personal privilege.
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