Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-14
THE PRESIDENT AND THE SENATE.
One of the Elements Affecting the Forrna-
tion of the New Committee..

tion of the New Committees.
Nominally the trouble over the formation
Of the committdo Of the Senate grows out Of the
preponderance Of southern men ranking on
committees and having precedence on
account of length OF service. The
argument has been, pressed very earnestly
that il would nots do for the southern
men to take everything. leaving the northern
and eastern men on the outside. But under
this lies the more important question of pol
icy. Mr.. Cleveland is interested in this
uestion as much as any man alive.
He wants the party, it is said, to break through
the sectional lines and to be strongly repre-
sented from every section OF the country. but
under this, southern Senators think they
see desire on the part Of Mr.. Cleve-
land to give the friends Of his policy
places that will give them strong influence.
The fact Is that the democratic Senators and
the President are still suspicious of each other;
they have not been able 70 get close enough to-
gether to come to perfect understanding, and
the Senators are still skirmishing about for
both patronage and policy.
1t may be that both the Senate and House
will be more friendly to Mr.. Cleveland's money
policy when they get together for the regular
session, but the Senators do not want to show
any sign Of weakening at this time, and the
committee on finance will be kept in the hands
OF the silver men. IL for no other reason, TO give
the Senate q weapon OF defense coercion.
One of the comic features of the situation is
the attempt on the part OF some of the politi-
clans to bear themselves with dignity and indie
pendence IN their esgerness for patronage. Some
OF the leaders who are anxious to preserve their
own power aud to make Mr.. Cleveland come tO
them rather than they 20 to him, have been try
ing to impress it upon their colleagues that
they place themselyes at a disadvantage in
the contention oyereparty policy when they
assume the attitude of suppliants for
patronage. and that they should therefore lei
Mr.. Cleveland seek their advice ss to appoint
ments and not force recommendation
upon him with importunate pleadings
They urge that when Mr.. Cleveland
has appointments to make from certain
localities he must seek advice. and that they
should wait for that time. The New
York people are following out this idea
up to date, having the advantage of the
support OF strong organization, and
they are in different position from
that occupied by others. They can preserve
this attitude until they get the pointer as to
Mr.. Cleveland's intentions which will come with
the appointment of the collector at the port ol
New York.
The Pennsylvania delegation have come to a
pretty good understanding among themselves
and feeling that the situation with them is toe
serious to admit Of their riskIng any mistakes
have assumed the waiting policy, having armed
themselves against Harrity well as they can.
But this attitude does not appear to be a con.
vsnient one for any Of the other delegations to
assume.
1t is all very well in theory, but when there Il
no organization and each member and eact
Senator feels that perhaps his colleague is Sc
cretly trying to get ahead of
him, his anxiety gets the best OF
his dignity, and all feeling the same
way, they all join helter-skelter in the rush for
spoils. The result of this is very apt to be IN
the end that Mr.. Cleveland will dominate il
Congress as well as in the executive, though
not without a very bitter fight