The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-16
His Double Dealing Tactics Denounced
by Mr.. Pettigrew, His Colleague.
Finally Forced TO Acknowledge lie Intends to
Work with the emocrats-Bills introduced
Yesterday-A Car-COupler Measure.
INDECRA1 KYLE.

Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l5.-James Hender-
son Kyle. of South Dakota. has been a
United States Senator less than ten days,
yet he has succeeded so far as the upper
branch of Congress is concerned, In max
ing great reputation. and one he will not
soon lose. He has already proved himself
to be political tartar "a double dealer of no
small capabilities, and he Is being dropped
like very hot potato Mr.. Kyle was elect
ed to the United States Senate as an Inde-
pendent. or Alliance, advocate bya votes of
Republicans of the South Dakota Legisla-
ture. He had been a minister of
the gospel. and when he came here
it was naturally supposed that he
would affiliate with the RepublicaDsi'as
against Democratic policies pure and
simple. He was. however. kindly received
by both sides His first act was to take q
seat over on the Democratic side of the
Senate chamber. which surprised the Re-
publicans. who did not know secret
locked within his and the breast of Sena-
tor Cockrell. of Missouri, the head of the
Democratic steering committee" which
directs the general policies of that side of
the chamber.
1t appears now that when Senator Kyle
came here he bore letters from prominent
South Dakota and other Democrats to Sen
ators CockrelI and German. commending
him to their political and personal favor.
Upon the strength of these letters and the
expressions of the Senator the Democrats
took HIM into their camp and advised
him TO take q desk on their side.
The other day. just before the Democratic
Senators held caucus to determine
upon rearrangement of the minority rop-
resentation upon the various committees
of the Senate, the request of the Alliance
Senator from South Dakota was received
personally by Senator Cockrell. 1t was
that he wished to be recognized by the
Democrats in their committee arrange
ments-the same kind of a request that is
made by full -blooded Democrats upon first
entering the Senate. There was no ques-
t,on raised as to the good faith of Senator
Kyle in applying for committee positions
with the Democrats and yesterday at their
caucus he was given assignments and
treated the same as genuine Democrats, for
he had made all the professions as such:
and here enters the sequel.
When the Republican Senators met in
caucus this morning for the purpose of
ratifying the reorganization of the COM
mittees heretofore agreed upon. Senator
Sanders. of Montana. arose and stated that
he had been requested by Senator Kyle, of
South Dakota, TO present his name
for committee assignment with the Re-
publicans. Then there followed a general
discussion of South Dakota politics. the
Alliance work in that State and the treat
ment Alliance Senators should be accorded
by the Republicans. 1t was finally alb out
TO be determined that as in the case of Mr..
Peffer. of Kansas. successor to Senator
Ingalls, Mr.. Kyle would be given COM
mttee positions with the majority, if he
requested it and desired to work with the
Repu blicans on general issues.
PETTIGREw INDIGNANT.
At this moment Senator Pettigrew, of
South Dakota, arose. He had until now
remained silent. Mr.. Pettgrew Is Re-
publican from the ground ND and he
showed Indignation at what|was proposed
to be done. He told of the campaign made
in his State by Mr.. Kyle and the positions
he assumed as against those of the Repub
lican party; they were very un-Repub-
lican, extremely Democratic. He said
he was willing. if necessary, to vacate
the best place he had on the committees
for Senator Kyle if that gentleman would
choose the Republican instead Of the
Democratic party for labor. He must decide
between the two He could not "piay"
both. He objected to his being
man. He did not think there was any OBJ
ligat ion resting upon the Republicans to
help out those who would destroy them by
indir ection. and unfairness, and misrepre-
sentation. He then hinted ut the fact that
Kyle had played" the Democrats for
places in committees. This created q
furOre.
Just then there came knock at the
door and Senator Cullom, who was pre-
siding, went out. He was met by Senator
Kyle, much to his astonisbment. The South
Dakota Senator requested again that he be
gwen committee assignments by the Re-
pubhcans, but he made no intlmation as to
desire to cooperate with Republicans in
legislation. The request was reported to
the caucus amid some confusion. Kyle
stock was going down now. Finally the
caucus adjourned until tomorrow morning.
when definite action upon the position of
Senator Kyle is to be taken. This is why
the Senate committee arrangements were
not reported in the Senate to-day and why
President Harrison did not make the i'm
portant nominations he expected to send to
the Senate.
Immediately after the Republican eau
Gus adjourned Senators Manderson, CullOm
and one tw others from the Republican
side called upon Senator Cockrell TO learn
| directly the position assumed by Senator
| Kyle on the Democratic side. and learned
that 1t was as stated, and somewhat more
agQravating. To saw that Senator Cockrell
was astonished is putting 1t mild. He saw
| that the Democrats were being play ed for
| suckers" ms one of the oldest Democratic
| Senators put IL. ana added: Il presume
| Kyle intends to take all the assignments he
| can get from both sides aud accept them.
! Then he would go out home and say to his
| constituents, See what a big man AIN /:
| they are all running after me-" 1t will
create no surprise now IL both Democrats
and Repu blicans refuse to give the South
| Dakota Independent Senator any assign
ments The transactions throughout look
| very "shady" to both sides of the Senate.
Tonight the South Dakota Senator
showed his hand. and acknowledged that
| IL was his intention to work with the Dem.
ocrats. but he makes no ex PLANTATION of his
conduct in trying to play double to com
mittee assignments. When asked the di-
rect questions: will yOu vote with the
/ Democratsf" Senator Kyle said: We'll,
do not anticipate many situations here
| which will call for o straight party vote