The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-05
SENATOR'S HOLD a cAuous.
Democrats Try, but Fail to Map Out an
Order of Business.

Washington. Dec. 4.-For two hours and
a half the democratic members of the
Senate caucus discussed the order Of busi-
ness this afternoon behind closed doors,
and at the expiration of that time were
unable to agree and adjourned to meet
again on Thursday after the adjournment
of the Senate. There was not at any time
a full representation of the majority pres
ent, and when the hour Of o'clock came
the number had dwindled to twenty
three, hardly sufficient to take positive
action on any proposition.
The caucus was called ostensibIy to con-
slider an order Of business and to decide
what measures should be given the pref
erence in the work of the session. There
was a great difference of opinion, and al
most before the caucus knew Il, il was
plunged into a discussion as to the ad-
visibility of attempting to change the
rules so as to provide for eloture and the
counting of a quorum. 1t is needless to
say that the men who advocated this
are the same men who desire to see the
so-called pop-gun tariff bills of the House
passed by the Senate. The discussion was
started by Senator Harris, who admon-
ished his associates that there was a short
session, that a vast amount of work was
before the Senate, and that it behooved
the party charged with the responsibility
for legislation TO get together at the
earliest moment and agree upon some
plan of action.
This suggestion met with favor, but 1t
was the only one upon which there was
any degree OF unanimity and upon the de-
tails no agreement could be reached A
number Of measures of proposed legis-
lation were advanced as the most urgent
and Senator Daniel OF Virginia brought
things to a climax by Offering a resolu-
tion declaring II to be the will OF the party
that an effort should be made to change
the rules. He was in favor Of cloture and
the counting Of a quorum and made
speech in advocacy of that change in the
rules. Senator Daniel was reinforced
by the arguments Of Senators Vest, Pugh
ana George, While others spoke earnestly
against the proposed change in the rules.
saying that It would open the way to a
debate the republicans would be glad to
meet, ana end only in the consumption
OF time that would ultimately imperil
the passage Of the appropriation bills.
Senator Morgan made a strong plea
Tor the special consideration of the Mica
raguan bill, but secured no affirmative
action.
Senator George thought the voluntary
bankruptcy bill was of equal, II not more
Importance, and Senator Turpie wanted
tne Dill Tor the election of President and
vice President and senators by a direct
vote OF the people, given a good position
IN the race for consideration f-ar~
Senator Faulkner of the committee on
territories, called the attention of the eau
Gus 10 the Importance of passing the state
mood bills of the territories of New Mexico
and Arizona, during the short session.
All OF these measures had their special
champions, but none of them gained the
day.
There was some very plain talk in re-
gard to the pop-gun tariff bills, and the
sentiment was pretty evenly divided.
Senators Jones and Harris agreed with
some of their colleagues, that these meas
ures ought to be passed, but they very
frankly told their colleagues of the diff
culties that lay in the pathway of success.
and asserted that the republicans had in
formed then in the finance committee
that nothing touching the tariff should be
enacted into law at this session. Both
gentlemen acknowledged the ability of the
republicans, owing to the short session by
dilatory tactics to keep the threat they
had made, ani advised the caucus that II
would be time lost to attempt the passage
of the bills. Even the most ardent friends
of the measures were unable to say what
the chance of success would be, or how
many votes could be had if a vote should
by some means, be secured. The result of
it all was that the caucus was unable, to
agree and adjourned as has been said, till
Thursday next, to try 1t over again.