Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-07
ORGANIZING THE SENATE.
A DESIRE TO BRING ABOUT AN
AGREEMENT.
Views of Both PartIes-The Bargain
with Malone to be Kept-Dawes
Peacefully IncIiDed-DavId Davis
Said TO be Ready TO "FIOp.o
WASHINGTON Correspondence of the Louisville
Courier. Journal

Washington Correspondence of the Louisville
COurteT-J0ItTTlGL
call has been issued for a caucus of Re-
publican Senators, to meet next Saturday
morning at 10 o'clock, at the capitol, to de-
wise plan of action for the organization of
the Senate. The Democratic caucus will
probably meet at the same hour, and no
doubt some efforts to effect compromise
organization between both parties will be
made. Most of the Democratic Senators
who are now here openly declare against
any compromise and hold that under the
law and custom the organization OF the
Senate is within Democratic control.
There are said to be several Demo
Gratis, however, who quietly prefer TO
make some agreement with the
Republicans in advance, If that can be &C
complshed. Pendleton and Garland have
been mentioned as holding these views, but
when approached they say thev have not
authorized any statement of their opinions,
and that they will await their party caucus
and expect to abide by it. The Senators of
both parties are desirous of avoiding any
issue over the organization that will lead to
q partisan contest. But 1t is not improbable
that one may occur nevertheless. The Presi.
dent of the Senate will be so close to the
Presidency of the United States, only one
life intervening, Republicans and Democrats
are anxious to possess that Office for their
respective parties, and feel that it is worth
a struggle.
There is an ardent wish to avoid dead
lock among the Senators Of both parties
here. Since the announcement that there
will certainly be two Democratic Senators
paired, Slater and Fair, it is seen that the
Republicans can, If they see fit, prevent the
election of a Democratic presiding officer
by refusing to vote and thus breaking a
quorum. The rules of the Senate provide
that "a quorum shall consist Of a msjority
Of all Senators appointed and sworn" AS
there are three unswOrn Senators, majority
will be thirty.seVen. In full Senate the
Democrats have thirty eight, without
Malone, and including David Davis. With
the two paired Senators they have but
thirty-six, one short of a quorum. In order
to force their right to the presiding officer,
one Of the paired Democratic Senators
must be here. 1t is not believed all of the
Republican Senators could be brought 70
the point OF breaking a quorum, which
could be remedied in a week by the appear
ance of Slater or Fair, and even if one OF
these could not be obtained, it is felt that
such an exhibition would not be pleasing to
the country nor beneficial to the party in
the approaching election. Indeed, the ex-
pressions Of Mr.. Dawes, who led the Re
publican forces in the deadlock In the last
session, show almost willingness to con
cSu6 DeI0OCTaIlC organization WltuOub
any struggle, even should it include the
Secretary.
1t is very certain Mr.. Gorham, the Repub
licsn caucus nominee for Secretary. cannot
now receive the united vote OF the Republi-
can Senators, and probably not half it. Rid
dlebeTger, however, would be elected Ssr-
e g'ant-at-Arms if that office fell to the Re-
publicans. There is no disposition to re-
treat from the agreement with Malone, who
will be here aud certainly vote with the Re
publicans. Preliminary caucuses will be
held by both parties Saturday. There will
be committees of conference appointed by
both, and every effort will be made to come
to an agreement. l. is not concealed by
the Republican Senators here that they will
concede all the minor offices to the Demo
Gratis in return for the election of a Repub-
licsn presiding officer. In addition, they
will agree to the formation of the commit
tees on the basis of absolute equality Of the
parties. 1t is very positively asserted that
Davis will act with the Republicans to elect
the presiding officer, should the three un
sworn Senators be admitted previous to the
election.