The record-union., 1895-04-05
FIFTY-F0URTH CONGRESS,
REPUBLICANS WILL REORGANIZE
THE SENATE.
Speculation Regarding the Chairman
ship of the Most Important
Committees.
the RECoRp-USIox.

"
WASHINGTON, April "A report has
been circulated in Washington to the
effect that when the reorganization of the
Senate shall be made, as it is generally
conceded that it will be, by the Repub-
licans at the beginning of the next ses-
sion Of Congress, Senator Morrill,, who
stands at the head of the Republican
will retire in order to allow Senator Sber-
man to be made Chairman. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Morrill, has not only
given authority for the announcement.
but his closest friends say that he will
expect TO be restored to the position of
Chairman, which he held previous 10 the
reorganization of the committee by the
Democrats at the beginning OF the pres
ent Congress.
Senator MorrilPs friends scout the idea
that his age Is such as to call for his re-
tirement from the head OF this com
mittee. 1t is also understood that the
announcement OF proba ability OF q
change did not originate with Senator
Sherman.
There is little doubt that if Senator
Morrill, should reIinquish the Chairman
ship, Sherman would be his successor.
but there is no reason for believing that
matter. He is at the head OF the Repub-
lican mem bership on the Foreign ReIa-
tious Committee, which in certain con-
tiuEencles would be q more important
committee than even the Committee on
Finance, and stands next to Morrill, on
the Finance Committee, SO that in the
event of MorriIPs retirement from the
Finance Committee, Sherman would then
be entitled to his choice between the two.
Financial questions are his specially. and
1t is altogether probable that il the on
portunity to choose between the two were
given, he would select the committee
attording work most in accordance with
his lncIlnatlOnS.
While there is little doubt as to the
Craftsmanship of the Committees, the
probabilities are very great that the Re-
pubiicans Will have no little difficulty in
choosing a successor on the committee to
Senator MCPHERSON. Tho filling OF this
place viii in all probability be The first
contest which Will occur in the next Con-
gress between the silver and the anti sill
yer men, and the fight will be none the
less fierce because fought under cover.
The silver men now have majority of
one in the committee, five of the SIX men
constituting this majority being Demo
Gratis, The silver men are in the majority
in the Senate, but viii be in the minority
in the Republican caucus. Under ordi-
nary circumstances the caucus would
control, and in that event, and il left free
TO act untrammeled, there is no dou bt an
antI-sllver man would be selected for the
vacancy.
The silver Republicans have, however.
already given notice that the place must
be tilled with man from among their
ranks, and say that in case of failure to
make this concession they will demand
recognition and leave the matter with the
Democrats, who would probably fill the
vacancy with a free silver man.
The names most prominently heard in
connection with the vacancy are those of
Senator Cameron of Pennsylvania, Senator
W olcott OF Colorado and Senator Platt OF
Connecticut, the first two being favorable
10 silver and the last opposed 10 it. Seua-
tor w olcotts name Is also mentioned in
connection with one of the vacancies on
the Committee on Foreign Relations, and
1t Is considered probable that in view of
Senator Cameron's long service in the
Senate, and OF his attitude in favor of
protective tariff policy, as well as Of sill
yer, MIR. Wolcotps friends may agree TO e.
compromise which will give the place on
the Foreign Relations Committee to Mr..
W olcott aud that on the Finance COM
nlIttee 10 Mr.. Cameron. 1t has been sug-
gested that in order to make place ON
tue committee tor Mr.. Plat, the COM
nlittee membership shall be increased
from eleven to thirteen. This would per-
NIT the appointment OF both n silver and
anti-silver advocate by the Republicans.
and also the appointment OF another
Democrat on the committee, and the
change may be made. 1t is recalled that
the committee has been increased from
seven mem Ders TO the present mum Der in
comparatively recent years.