The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-05
POW-WOWS OF THE PARTIES.
A UNIQUE FEATURE OF POLITICAL
LIFE IN WARRINGTON
How Caucuses are called ana where Held
Their InviOlRte Secrecy Carlisle and
Heed NJ l.rndora-A High Old Time.

Their InyIoIats Secrecy -CariIaIe and
Reed ms Lenders-A High Old Time.
WASHINGTON May A feature OF Con-
Cresslonal life is the caucus. The new men,
Der, II he comes hero just before the opening OF
Congress- will receive an invitation to attend
ono. 1t Is called by either the Chairman or
the Secretary OF the preceding caucus Its
purpose is to select candidates for Speaker
Clerk Sergeant at Arms. Doorkeeper, Post
master. and Chaplain. 1t also selects Chair
man and Secretaries for ensuing caucuses.
The cnucuses OF both political parties In the
House ore held in the hall OF the House OF Rep
resentatives. The Government foots the bills.
II supplies the hall. tho light, the heat, and the
attendance.
The Chairman Of Democratic caucusos dur
ing the last Congress was Sunset Cox. The
Secretaries were Mr. Blanchard OF Louisiana
and Mr.. Wilson Of West Virginia. The Chair
man for the present Congress Is Watchdog
Holman. Tho Secretaries remain unchanged.
The Chairman OF the Republican caucus In the
Fifteth Congress was Joseph q. Cannon. and
tho Secretary Louis Emory McComas. Mr..
Cannon, being candidate for Speaker at the
beginning Of the present Congress- declined
| denomination for Chairman. Gen. Thomas j.
Henderson OF Illinois takes his place, and Mr..
McComas is still Secretary.
The caucus usually adopts the rules OF the
House of Representatives. The first Demo-
cratic caucus In this session adopted the old
rules, and subsequent cauouses are working
under them. The Republican caucus uses the
new rules 1t requires the signature OF at least
fifteen members to call caucus Anybody
| can send around q call. but the leader usually
| does It when he desires to ascertain the senti-
ment OF the party upon any vital issue. In
such cases a page passes around the House
and soicits signatures to the call. They are
easily obtained
| All caucuses are private. Tho main and
side entrances to the hall OF the House are
| closed. The only entrance and exit are
through the Speakers lobby. This is guarded
at each end by doorkoepers. No one is allowed
in the corridors surrounding the galleries.
| Watchmen bar the way up the marble stair
cases leading to them. Tho elevators take no
one above the floor Of the House. The restau-
rant, always open when night session Is held.
Is closed during a caucus.
Notice OF q caucus is read from the Clerks
desk at the end Of the session on the day
that 1t is to be held Tho Republicans
usually hold their caucus for the nomination
Of officers OF the House in the afternoon. and
the Democrats invariably hold theirs at night
Recently. when the parties caucused on the
rules. the Republicans held their conclave as
soon as the House adjourned, which was about
2 o'clock. The Democrats were to have their
caucus that evening There were hot d. sous
TIE m IN aeF
o'clock. Indeed. they met the Democrats
coming into the Capitol AS they we're passing
When caucus is being held newspaper cor
respondents gather in the room OF the Com
west entrance to the Speakers lobby They
depend for information upon their personal
ton ELECTED is usually correct. The facts, like
those In Senatorial executive sessions. are
gathered without much trouble, and the cor
respondent dresses them to suit himself.
There are usually entertaining times In q
caucus. Tho members place their hats and
hand. At east half Of them, light cigars and
legs upon the desks In front OF them. Others
drag chairs into the Speakers arena and listen
Men M talk al G' as thsS feel rctatn}ns hoWover'
courteous domeanor toward each other: MeE
tHk in So Thp Hak in the
eye seem t. sootho themselves by inilictng
speeches upon the mcmbors OF the caucus.
Matters OF policy are discussed. Party interests
many a sLrewl suggestion is made Tho Dem
ass sF he IS sSoGn B1d to M qi%5
speaks, and has more influence, than any other
member. He never cXerts 1t, however unless
he deems 1t absolutely necessary.
Speaker Reed is the central figure in n Re-
publican caucus. He is man Of action. His
Ideas are ws 6snSa AND he hs 1 "xss
Democratic caucus; Not 50 with MI. Reed, Il
slonally trouble him lio is h9Tdheaded and
persistent. however, and invariably wins by the
in both parties thore is much moro talk than
night be i" tormed SoIiteal SoarssastonSs
ttorcible, speaker in these meetings is Gen.
Oates Of Alabama He expresses sn his Cninions
with amend ments to nearly every proposition.
Other speakers are, Benton McMi!lin OF Ten
address n caucus for orat orical effect. They |
give their views in the fegees, words, and the
and Hooker OF Mississippi are not q whit be- |
hind them New members occasionally indulge |
some Of these flights arc alarming. and 9TH
times nSophytes 5tartle tho old Mentors with
late caucus that wouii have stirroI the heart
Hrnt o S Mf Gsrtos S Of soraH AMI Nc
cl4mmy OF North Carolina also thrilled II III the
aeS snEs YEN aS
Good stories ilInstrntiye q the situation are
The selection o. candidates. for official posts
however. Is hkey Y str tho blood Of he mem
held was that NJ tho beginning OF the Fiiticth
Congress Col. sam DonoIson was candidate
t'l lS'4tNlIOu hh I'DDI hetI''I. Ile Nh1
by speaker Carlisle. tho great and only Will
Ham j. Scott James H. Bl0unt and others. A
strong ODDysiton from the south favored tho
selection II A. is. Hurt Of Mississippi IN" New
lorkeIs had brother Of George i.aIncr IN tho
n"ld. They ianrei that they might slip him in
between the two southern canjliatcs.
The hight became Internal. HURTS iTiends
made atro"ious attacks upon Co. DOneson.
and Tho latter supporters were fired win in
lignatIOn moro stormy debate wa, never
hoard. ia tho heat OF tho discussion blows
were exchanged ono member mis UNDERWOOD
what another said, aud slapped his 'Ac". In
second ~" head q the aRg' easor was IN chan
cory. ono We a light weight and III" other
heavy weight The combat MAS not con-
dlctei according 70 Mar juis o, Queens.
hs'ryH fHI"9, hut ~ blows were eN-
changed hoioR tho bolt Nobody shouted
Bfrhh hway Questions raIuIfing the NJ
i"nNOn u fo'eT"s would undoubtedly have !
hns9n u irenIs had not promptly lHi'ri"r"d.
both gthusnou w"f0 cOndu"iad 20 ~" rear OF
"" "hamhef whore mutyhl sNTlAuaiions we're
Nrt"d hhd {" "lyed and apOi gees t"bdYTed.
hlihIu q mlhutn tho COn'sstHg's anne down
no hl-." arm ~ arm, amid tho appliance OF
NE m"mgrf1"' ID" cnqcus, Then tho cham
b"i Wa ilTJ lruEDi with rlOIurnn", Joe
Washington 'LuNr "a aIrrplI on heluiI ~ tAm