Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-05
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Senator's Discuss the Order Of Business
In Their House.
GREAT DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
Cioture and the Counting OF Quorum
The Pop-Gun Biils-Sicarn'
qua Canal.

WASHINGTON, December 4.-For two
hours and half the Democratic members
of the Senate caucus discussed the order
of business this afternoon behind closed
doors, and at the expiration OF that time
were unable to agree. and adjourned TO
meet again Thursday after the adjourn
ment of the Senate Thera was not at
any time n full representation OF the
majority present. and when the hour OK
4 came the number had dwindled 10 q,
hardly sufficient to take positive action on
any proposition.
The caucus was called ,estensIbly TO con-
slider an order of business and TO decide
what measures should be given prefer
ence In the work of the session. There
was n great difference Of opinion. and
almost before the caucus knew II II was
plunged into discussion as TO the adj
visibility Of attempting TO change the
rules so as 20 provide for cloture and the
counting OF a quorum. II Is needless 10
say that the men who advocated this are
the same men who desire TO see the
so-called pop-gun bills Of the House
passed by the Senate.
Inc UlScuSelOf was ol0Iltu NY WI tAoA
ris. who admonished his associates that
this was the short session. that a vast
amount OF work was before the Senate,
and II behooved The party charged with
the responsibility for legislation TO get
together at the earliest possible moment
and agree upon some plan or action.
This suggestion met with favor but II
was the only one upon which there was
any degree of unanimity, and upon the
details no agreement could be reached.
DANIEL TO THE RESCUE.
A number of measures of proposed legts-
lation were advanced as the most urgent,
and Mr.. Daniel. of Virginia, brought
things TO climax by offering a resolu-
ton declaring II to be the Will OF the
party that an effort should be made
10 change the rules. He was In favor OF
cloture, and the counting OF quorum
and made a speech In advocacy or that
change in the rules.
Mr.. Daniel was reinforced by the argu-
ments OF Senators Vest. Pugh' anu
George. while others spoke earnestly
against the proposed change In the rules
saying that II would open the way 10 Il
debate the Republicans would be glad 10
meet and end only in a consumption OF
time that would ultimately imperil the
passage of the appropriation bills
Mr. Morgan made a strong plea Tor
specal consideration OF the Nicaraguan-
canal bill, but secured no Affirmative
action. Mr.. George thought that the
voluntary bankruptcy bill was OF equal, II
not more Importance, and Mr.. Turpie
wanted the bill for the election OF Presi-
dent. Vice-President. and senators by
direct vote of the people given good
position in the race for consideration.
Mr.. Faulkner, of the Committee on Ter
ritories. called the attention OF the
caucus 60 the Importance of passing the
Statehood bills for the Territories OF
New Mexico aud Arizona during the short
session. All of these measures had their
special champions, but none of them
gained the day.
PLAIN TALK.
There was some very plain talk in re-
gard to the pop-gun tariff bills, and the
sentiment was pretty evenly divided.
Messrs. Jones and Harris agreed with
some Of their colleagues that these mea-
eurcs ought TO be passed, but they very
frankly told thu colleagues Of the diff
cultics that Ia, Ia the pathway of sue
cess. and asserted that the Republicans
had informed them in the Finance Com
mttee that nothing touchno the tariff
should be cnacttn ioto law at this SEES
sion. Both gentlemen acknowledged the
ability Of the Republiezns. owing to the
short session. 10y dilatory tactics, to keep
the threat they had made. and advised
the caucus that 1t would be time lost
to attempt the passage of the bills. Even
the most ardent friends Of the measures
were unable 10 say what the chance was
for success, or how many votes could be
had IL a vote should by some means
be secured. The result of it all was that
the caucus was unable to agree, and ad-
iourned. as has been said, until Thurs
day next, TO try 1t over again.