The Washington herald., 1920-12-07
HARDING STIRS
SENATE WITH
LAST ADDRESS
rresident-elect Breaks Prec-
edents by Talk from
Rostrum.
Is GIVEN AN OVATION
Last Session of Upper
House Of Congress
Ends Quickly.

The presence of the President
elect in the Senate filled the open
ing session of Congress yesterday
with history making and history
breaking precedents.
1t was the first time in the life
of the nation that a member Of the
Senate had entered upon the floor
in his own right as Senator and
addressed his colleagues as his coun-
try's choice for the great high ONCE
of the Presidency. 1
1t was the first time that SEN
ator bade farewell from the Sem
ate rostrum to step into the greater
responsibilities for which the peo-
pie had chosen him.
President-elect Harding perform
ed these duties with becoming mod
esty and with fine regard for the
proprieties of the occasion. Before
being escorted TO the platform he
sat among his colleagues with the
same quiet demeanor and calmness
that always characterized his ap-
pearance in the Senate.
Lis Friendly TO All.
He was as friendly in his greet
ings to the Democrats as to the Re-
publicans, and to many of them he
gave a friendly pat on the shoulder
in addition to a hearty handshaSe.
He was extremely cordial in his
greeting to Senator Reed. of Mis-
souri,; Senator Shields, of Tennes-
see. and Senator Thomas, of Col
orado.
All the galleries, including tina,
set apart for Senator's families.
were crowded by persons eager to
witness the unusual ceremony.
Many members of the House cxer-
cised their privilege of entering
upon the Senate floor and formed a
considerable crowd, which filled the
space at the rear of the Senator'S
seats.
While Senator Harding's speech
was in the nature of a formal leave
taking Of his colleagues, II was also
a pledge to Congress that through
out his administration there will De
completsIco-ordinsfion between the
President and Congress and that
there will not be- surrender "at
either end of the avenue"
Prcsident-elect Enters Senate.
Just as the nands of the big clock
in the Senate stood at two minutes
Of noon Senator Harding emerged
from the Republican cloakroom pre-
ceded by Senator Lodge and follow
ed by a number OF other Republican
Senators.
He was Immediately surrounded
by his colleagues from both sides Of
the aisle, who crowded about him to
tender their respects While thus
engaged, Vice President Marshall's
gavel descended with the announce
ment that the Senate was in order
and that the Chaplain's prayer
would be heard.
The President-elect stood at the
rear of the chamber during the de-
livery Of the prayer with head
bowed. Mrs. Harding, accompanied
by Mrs. Edward Beale Mclean, stood
in the gallery.
At the conclusion Of the prayer
Senator Harding made his way TO
the front row on the Republican
side and seated himself at the desk
of Senator Fall. When Senator Fall
entered the chamber. Senator Hard
ing waved to him to take the seat
of Senator Penrose, adjoining his,
which Senator Fall did, and the two
while Senator Lodge. the Republic
an leader, went through the dreary
formalities Of having committees
named to notify the President and
the House that the Senate was ready
for business.
Invites Harding TO Speak.
These formalities concluded, Sem
ator Lodge made formal announce
ment of the presence Of the Presi-
dent-elect. and suggested that Sem
ator Harding be recognized for a
speech. 49,
Senator Lodge said:
ct cannot refrain from making
reference to the fact that this is a
memorable occasion. For the first
time in the history of the country
a member of this body has been
elected President of the United
States. He Is here with us today,
still Senator. and venture to sug-
1 gest that he may be recognized by
the chair to speak informally to the
Senate before he leaves his service
here"
A wave of applause swept over
the galleries, and then came the
most graceful and courteous act ot
the entire ceremony. Although
Senator Lodge had merely briefly
suggested that the President-eleci
should be informally recognized
Vice President Marshall did the most
unusual thing Of stepping quickly
down to the Senator's seat, grasp
ing him by the hand, and leading
him up to the platform.
An Unexpected Courtesy.
1t was done so quickly and so un'
expectedly that Senator Harding
was at the Vice Presidents desl
and ready to speak before he, him
self, realized what had happened
The audience divided its applause
between the Presidont-elect and th'
Vice President. who is about tc
retire. -
Mover before has q member oi
the Senate while that body was In
regular session been permitted e
address his colleagues from the Vice
Presidents rostrum. But Senator
Harding spoke as a Senator anC
as the President-elect to those with
whom he had served and with whom
he urged the most cordial and CO.
ordinated relationship.
After Senator Harding had spoker
the Senate was adjourned and thu
Senator fingered a long time OF
the fioor of the Chamber talking
with his colleagues.
Leaves for Marion Today,
In the ofiice of Senator Lodge
where he repaired for a brief con
ference with several colleagues. Mr.
Harding gave out an Interview Ii
which he said he would depart 70