Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-22
The Democratic Caucus Decides to
ReOrganize.
THE NEW OFFICERS SELECTED
And Their Names Will Be Pre-
sented, Though No Time Was
Decided Upon - Opposition
Among Democrats to the
Breaking of Senate Precedents.
The Republicans Threaten to
Make a Desperate Fight.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 2l.-Ine
Democrats OF the Senate met In caucus
at noon to consider the subject OF the
reorganization of the elective officers OF
the Senate.
There was a large attendance, every
Democratic Senator with the single ex-
ception OF Senator Walthall, of Missis-
sippi, being present. AS at the preced-
ing conferences, Messrs. PETER, Kyle
and Allen, despite the fact that they
have been given committee chairman
ships by the majority, were not recog-
nized as being Democrats, and were not
invited to attend. At the previous
caucus the whole matter OF whether or
not the party should attempt re-organ-
ization at this time was left to the
steering committee" OF which Mr..
German is chairman.
The report was made, and to the sur
prise of the junior Senators, contained
no recommendations The committee
held q number of conferences, but were
unable TO agree upon a report that
should be positive in its character. Some
of the members were for reorganization
while others opposed it as being viola
tion of the precedents.
Among the latter, rumor places both
MIR. German and Mr.. COckrell, two very
powerful moving spirits on the Demo-
cratic side OF the chamber. While the
committee submitted report that was
decidedly negative and non-commlttal,
it had prepared for any contingency
that might arise. The list Of the en-
ployes Of the Senate and the annual
pay roll had been gone over very thor
oughly, and the condition OF the roll as
il exists to-day compared with the roll
of the Forty-sixth Congress when the
Democrats controlled this branch. Since
that time there has been an increase In
the force OF men, especially under the
Sergeant-at-Arms. 1t has been the
custom to permit certain number OF
employees 10 remain at the disposal OF
minority and this custom will not be
departed from by the Democrats.
The caucus adjourned at four o'clock,
having during the four hours OF It's ses-
sion come to the determination to nomi-
nate the elective officers. The ticket
so nominated is composed of William X.
Cox, of North Carolina, an ex-Repreaen-
tative, for Secretary Of the Senate;
Richard j. Bright, Of Indiana, ex-Ser-
geans-at-Arms for Sergeant-at-Arms;
Rev. w. IL. Milburn, present Chaplain
of the House OF Representatives for
| Chaplain of the Senate.
This result was not reached without
a protracted debate, for there was a con-
siderable element of the party that op-
posed the idea or doing anything that
would be a violation Of the precedents
| of the Senate and give cause for oppo-
sition on the part of the Republicans.
No time was fixed for the presentation II
of the necessary resolutions in the Sen
ate and they may be deferred or come
up early for action.
After the caucus was over, one OF the
! leading members OF the Democratic
committee said that it was the intention
| OF the party to make an attempt TO elect
the nominees, Just when this would
be done he could not say, but the reso-
| luton, he thought, might be introduced
in the Senate at any time now. III the
Republicans appear to be determined In
! THAR effort 10 prevent reorganization
at this session, it may be that the Dem
ocrats will desist and let 1t go over.
There appears, though, to be no prooa-
bility of an abandonment OF the idea TO
al least make an effort to carry out the
will Of the caucus.
Another story in connection with the
caucus was that the Senate would ad-
iourn without day by the middle OF
next week. This was denied by sew
eral Senators, who said that the sub
iect had not been mentioned, and that
the day of adjournment depended en-
tireiy upon the pleasure OF the Presi-
dent.
The Republican Senators about the
Capitol look upon the action OF the
caucus as a declaration that the Demo
Gratis intend to inaugurate a contest
over the reorganization and they Will
hold another caucns to decide upon
their plan OF campaign.
One Republican Senator, who took a
prominent part in the last caucus, said
that the Republicans would not stand
idly by and see the precedents OF the
senate violated without protest, and
iptimated that il the democrats precip-
itated a contest there was no telling
when il would end.