The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-03-30
A SPECk OF WAR IN THE SENATE.
The Democrats WIN Try to Change the
Elective Officers.

| Elective Officers.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-The Dem
ocrats Of the Senate met in caucus al
noon to consider the roorganizat ion Of
the elective officers Of the Senate
There was a large attendance, every
Democratic Senator, with the sin gle ex.
ception OF Senator Walthall, being
present.
AS at the preceding conferences
MeSSrs, peiler, Kyle and Allen, despite
the fact that they have been given
commit tee chairmanslips by the ma
!orlty, we're aot recognized as being
Democrats and were not invited to at
tend.
At the previous caucus the whole
matter of whether or not the party
should attempt reorganization at this
time was lett to the steering commit.
tee, Of which senator German is chair
man. y report was made and, TO the
surprise of the Junior Senators at least,
contained no recommendation. The
committee held a number of confer
enccs, but were unable to agree on a
report that should be positive in its
character. Some Of the members were
for reorganization, while others on.
posed it as being a violation of the pre-
cedentS. Among the latter rumOr
! places both Senators German and Cock
re'l, two very pow warful moving spirits
on the Democratic side Of the chamber.
While the committee submitted a re-
port that was decid lily negative and
non -committal, 1T had prepared for any
'ntlngency that might arise. The
llSt OF employees Of the Senate and the
annual pay roll had been gone over
very thoroughly, and the condition of
pared with the roll Of the 18TH Con-
gress, when the Democrats controlled
this branch Of Congress. Since that
time there has been an increase in the
| lorce Oh the men, eSpt cially under the
sergeant otarmS. 1t has been the Gus
tom to permit certain number of EN-
ployees to remain at the disposal of the
minority, and this custom will not be
departed from 1T the proposed reor-
ganiZatiOn by the Democrats.
For the purpose OF facilitating the
work, II the caucus should determine
to prosecute it at the present time, the
committee have prepared a plan Of re
organization which they think will eff.
feet just distribution Of the patron
age of the Senate. It's report, however
simply contained Il recitation of the
precedents OF the Senate in the matter
OF reorganZing, and WAS rcplete with
reference to the records, showing what
, had been done in the past
The caucus adjourned at 4 o'clock
, having during the four hours Of Its
session come to the determination tc
nominate the elective officers.
The ticket SO nOmina ed is cOmpOSe(
OF William X. Cox, of North Carolina
TX Representative for North Carolina
as secretary Of the Senate; Richard !
Brlght, OF Indiana, ex Sergeant-at arms
for sergeant alarms; the Rev. w. III
Milburn, the present chaplain of the
iouSe OF Representatives, for chaplain
Of the Senate
This result was not reached without
protracted debate, for there was a con-
siderable element of the party that op-
posed the idea Of doing anything that
would DC violation Of the prccedents
OF the Senate and give cause to oppOsi-
| tlon on the part Of the Republicans.
NO time was liked for the presentation
OF the necessary resolutions in the Sen
ate ana they may be referred or NAV
come up early for action.
Leading members of the committee
stated that the chief reason why the
caucus took this course was to ped rid
| Oh the opportunities Of candidates and
to enable the Senate to go about it's
regular work. The nominations made
were adopted with practical unanimi-
ty. MIR. l.. q. Washington, who no
been candidate for secretary of the
Senate, Withdrew, and although one or
| TWO OIhor names were mentioned for
other places they did not develop sufn-
clent strength to cause a contest.
1t was supposed that the matter
the admission OF the three Senators
who appeared with credentials under
appointment by the Governors of the
| MnntOnn Il
| Washington would come up for discus
sion, but the subject was not broached.
| This question will come before the SEN
ate on the report Of tho committee on
privileges and elections.
The .!atr0nago Of the Senate under
the Officers selected to-day was conSid-
cred for >omc time, and a list agreed
upon of the employees of the Rcpubli-
can faith who viii be retained. AS
the Democrats have been permitted to
have certain employees the RrpuGi-
cans Will, OF course, be given the same
privilege. The patronage, however.
instead Of being under the control of
the officers, Will be parCcled out by the
party caucuS.
After the caucus was over one of the
leading members Of the Democratic
committee said that 1t was the inten
tlon OF the party TO make the attempt
to elect the nominees. Just when this
would be done he could not say, but
the resolution, he thought, might be
introduced in the Senate at any time
now. If the Republicans appear to be
determined in their efforts to prevent
reorganization this session, it may be
the Democrats will deSiSt and let it 90
over. There appears though to be no
probability o! the abandonment of the
idea 10 make at least one effort to car.
ry ont the will Of the caucus.
Another story In connection with
the caucus was that the Senate would
adjourn without day by the middle of
next week. This was denied by sew
cral Senators, who said the subject had
not been mentioned and that the day
OF adjournment depended entirely upon
the pleasure Of the President.
Republican Senators about the Cap
itol look on the action of the caucus as
declaration that the Democrats in
tend to inaugurate a contest over the
| organization, and they will hold an
| other calcuS To Ippiha on ,>,o,, = e