The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-22
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

They VIII Attempt to Organize tho Senate
Contrary to Precedent aud the Republic
cans will oppose-A Pretty Fight on
Hand.
WASHINGTON, D. G., March 2l.-
Tho Democrats OF the Senate met in
caucus at noon to consider the subject
otthe reorganization Of the elective off,
cers Of the senate. There was large
attendance, every Democratic senator
with the single exception of Senator
Wplthall, CT Mississippi, being present.
AS at the preceding conference, Messrs.
PETER, Kyle and Allen, despite the fact
that theyha been given committee
chairmanships by the majority, were
not recognized as being Democrats, and
were not invited to attend. At the
previous caucus the whole matter OF
whether or not the party should at
tempt the reorganization at this time
was left to the steering committee" Of
which Mr.. German Is chairman. Tho
report was made, and to the surprise OF
the junior senators, at least, contained
no recommendations The committee
held number Of conferences, but were
unable to agree upon a report that
should be positive, in its character.
Some oil the members'were for reorgan-
ization while others opposed it as being
violation Of the precedents.
Among tho latter, rumor places both
Mr. GoFman and Mr.. CoCkrell, two very
powerful moving spirits on tho Demo.
cratic side OF the chamber. While the
committee submitted u report that was
decidedly negative and noncommittal,
II had prepared for any contingency
that might arise. The list OF employees
OF the senate and tho annual pay roll
had been gone oyer very thoroughly and
the condition of the roll MS it exists to.
day compared with tho roll OF the
Forty-siSth Congress when the Demo-
Gratis controlled this branch. Since
that time there has been an increase in
the force OF men, especially under the
sergeantat.arms. 1t has been the GUS
tom 10 permit u certain number OF em-
ployes TO remain ut the disposal OF the
minority and this custom will not be
departed from by tho Democrats.
Tho caucus adjourned at 4 o'clock,
having during tho four hours OF its ses-
sion como to tho determination to nom
mate tho elective officers The ticket
go nominated Is composed of William
X Cox, OF North Carolina, an ex.repre-
sentative, Tor secretary Of the senate;
Richard j. Bright, Of Indiana, cx.ser.
geant.at.arms, for sergeant alarms;
Rev. W. II. Milburn, present chaplain
OF the house Of representatives, for
chaplain OF tho senate.
This result was not reached without
protracted debate, for there was q
considerable element Of stho party that
opposed tho idea oi doing anything
that would DO violation Of tho prccc.
dents Of the senate and give cause for
opposition on tho part Of tho Republic
cans. No timo was fixed for tho presen.
tatioa ot tho necessary resolutions in
the senate and they may bo deferred or
como up early for action.
Alter tho caucus was over one OF tho
leading members Of tho Democratic
committee said that II was tho intention
Of tthoparty to make the attempt TO elect
tho nominees, Just when this would
DO done ho could not say, but the reso.
luton, he thought, might DO introduced
IN the senate at any timo now. II tho
Republicans appear to bo determined In
their oilort to proyont Il reorganization
at this session II may DO that the Dom.
ocrata will dosist and lot II 10 over.
There appears, though, TO DO no proba.
bility oi an abandonment OF the iden to
at least make m effort to carry out the
will Of the caucus.
Another story In connection with tho
caucus was that tho senate would ad.
iourn without day by tho middle OF
next week. This was denied by several
senators, who said that tho subject had
not been mentioned aud that tho day Of
adjournment depended entirely upon
tho pleasure Of tho President
Tho Republican senators about the
capitol look upon tho action Of tho cau.
Gus az q declaration that the Democrats
intend TO inaugurato contest over tho
reorganization, and thoy will hold an.
other caucua 10 decide upon their plan