Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-08
DEMOCRATIC SENATE CAUCUS
The appointment OF Committees and tho
Organization OF the Body Under Consid-
Araflau

The appointment OF Committees and tho
Organization OF the Body Under Consid-
Grafton.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March THE
Democratic caucus, which met In tho
Senate chamber this morning, was well
attended. Just what course the Demo-
Gratis intended 10 pursue towards the
Populists has been matter OF interest
ing conjecture since II was known that
the Democrats had clear maSJfity OF
their own, The action to-day indTcarc<
that these Populists are TO be ignored.
Senators Kyle. OF North Dakota, and
PETER, OF Kansas, the old Populists,
and Mr.. Allen. the new Populist elected
by Nebraska, were not invited 10 attend
the caucus, and TO this extent at least IL
would seem that they have been pur-
posely neglected.
Mr.. Martins case was, however, dif-
ferent. Mr.. Martin, OF Kansas, although
elected by Fusion votes, Is coi.sIdered a
Democrat, and as such was Invited by
Mr.. German TO attend the caucus, and
he was present and participated In the
proceedings. Mr.. Allen,itIs understood,
will vote with the Democrats when 10
comes TO the organization.
The caucus organized by re-electing
Mr.. German chairman and Mr.. Faux
ner secretary. The session lasted four
hours, the only actual business trans
acted being to authorize the Chairman
10 appoint a committee TO devise q plan
for reorganization and report to the
caucus upon the call OF the Chairman.
~ ltnn m a
discussion bearing upon the standing
OF the Senators who have been appoint
ed by Governors, the cases In point be-
Ing Ser ator Beckwlth, appointed by the
Governor OF Wyoming. and Senator
Mantle. appointed by the Governor OF
Montana.
Speeches were made by Senators
Voorhees,, Villas, Daniel and others. A
spirit OF opposition against seating these
appointees WAS manifested, and In sup
port OF this view a number OF old decis-
ions In Senate contested elections were
quoted. The claim was made that In
asmuch as the legislatures OF these
states had not exercised the preroga-
tive belonging to them the governors
had no authority to Oil the places and
the States should remain unrepresented.
A precedent for such action was cited
from an early California case. IL was
finally decided, however, that these
matters together with the case OF Mr..
Martin should be referred 70 the COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
II is Understood that there will be
quite q contest for leading chairman
ships and a disposition 10 set aside the
traditions which give the ranking mem
bers OF the minority these places wbeu
they come into the majority. 10 is IN
likely that the usual custom will be de-
parted from. Heretofore the party
coming into power has not reorganized
the elective officers at the extra session
called for the purpose OF confirming
presidential appointments, although the
Republicans once attempted II, and
whether this rule should be departed
from was q question that came up for
discussion. A number CT conservative
Senators favored postponing action 10
this matter until December, but there
was not lacking such an expression OF
sentiment as indicated purpose 70
make com pIets change ss speedily as
possible. This was also left 10 the COM
rnittee 70 be appointed by Mr. German.
| After the close OF the caucus the
Democratic steering Committee" con-
s!stlng OF Senators German. Brice,
CockrelI, Ransom and Harris repaired
10 the committee room OF Mr. Ransom
and remained 10 conference. Mr.. Ran
som announced the following commit
tee: Msssrs. Blackburn, Ransom,
CockrelI, Harris. Brice. White 81
Loulsisna and Mr.. German. This
committee will probably begin its work
/ ,o-ra orrou mOrnfuR