Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-07

terms possible with one or the other of the
two great parties, probably the republicans
for a legislative step toward bimetallism and
free coinage.
party-TiIlman of South Carolina. This man
has so bitterly fought the straight demo-
Gratis of his state and has allied himself so
intimately with the third-party element in
the state that the intimat ation that IL elected
to the Senate he will become a populist has
not surprised the leaders of any of the po-
litical parties. 1t now remains to be seen
whether in case Tillman joins the Peffertes
he viii carry with him his colleague from
South Carolina-Senator Irby-whose de-
mocraey has never been considered to be of
the Simon-pure quality. In this event the
Senate will stand: Republicans, 43-giving
them Harris seat; democrats. 3S; populists
A Deadlock on Organization.
Discounting any allegiance that the two
Nevada men may offer the republicans
these figures show probable deadlock in
the Senate on organization. to be broken
Only by some combination or arrangement
by the populists with one Of the other par
ties The view already had of the small
party of populists shows that three of the
seven, presum.ng that 1rby will join them,
have republican proclivities, thus leaving
four with democratic tendencies. So it will
be seen that If the seven should act as a
party and, deciding by their own major
ity, should cast their influence as a unit,
the chances favor an alliance with demo-
Gratis rather than the republicans.
But this Is mere speculation, and there
are so many possible combinations to be
made that, with the information at hand,
1t Is futile to make any sort of prophecy
or estimate of the future in this particular.
Should the populists form an effective al
lance with either the republicans or demo-
Gratis to secure the organization of the
Senate they will be In a position to dictate
terms. more or less selfishly, that might
lead to some curious and amusing results.
The chief gift within the power of the
party organizing the Senate Is the Office Of
President pro tempore, now held by Sena-
tor Harris Of Tennessee. Then follow the
chairmanShipS of the various committees in
certain order of importance, the exact
sequence of which Is somewhat disputed
The most desirable committees, and the
most sought for, are finance, foreign re-
lations, appropriations, privileges and cleo
tions. judiciary, District of Columbia, COM
n erce military and affairs, naval Cffairs
and rules. 1t is possible that the popuists
might secure some of these, though it will
doubtless be difficult for them 10 make
such favorable terms.
Probable Course of the Populfsts.
The most probable course Is, in the event
Of their controlling the organization, that
they would dictate the appointment of a
populist as the odd member of most of the
important committees, thus giving their
part the deciding vote on a. large proportion
of senatorial legislation as tar as committee
reports are concerned. The seven members
of the third party would probably also be
given pleasant chairmanships and certain
amount of prestige. The Inain effect, how
ever, of such a predicament would be upon
the votes of the Senate on party questions
involving important legislation Votes on
such questions are of course taken de-
cisvely upon affirmative or negative prop
ositions, and thus there would be an in
finite variety of combinations m1de possible.
In short. with the populists welding the
balance of power in the Senate from March
4. 1895, to March 4, 1897, there would prob
ably be one Of the most complicated organi-
zations that has ever been known In the
history Of that body.