The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-05
TALK OF REORGANIZATION.
Forecast of the ChairmanshipS
of Various Senate Com
mitteeS.
Silver Men Will Have a Say Re-
garding the Arrangements
of Finances.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April "A re-
port has been circulated from Washington
to the effect that when the reorganization
of the Senate shall be made, as it is gener-
ally conceded that it will be by the Re
publicans at the beginning of the next ses-
sion of Congress, Senator Morrill, who
stands at the head of the Republican mem
bership of the Finance Committee, will re-
tire in order to allow Senator Sherman to
be made chairman. 1t is understood that
Morrill, has not only not given authority
for the announcement, but his closest
friends say that he will expect to be re-
stored to the position of chairman, which
be held previous to the reorganization of
the committee by the Democrats at the
beginning of the present Congress. Senator
Morrill's friends scout the idea that his
age is such as to call for his retirem ent
from the head of this committee. 1t is also
understood that the announcement of a
probability of change did not originate
with Senator Sherman.
There is little doubt that if Senator Nor
rill should relinquish the Craftsmanship
Mr.. Sherman would be his successor, but
there is no reason for believing that he
would even then unduly press the matter.
He is at the head of the Republican mem
bership on foreign relations, which in GER
tain contingencies would be a more impor-
tant committee than even the Committee
on Finance, and stands next to Mr.. Morrill,
on that committee, so that in the event of
Mr.. Morrill's retirement from the Finance
Committee, Mr.. Sherman would then be
entitled to his choice between the two.
Financial questions are his specially, and
it is altogether probable that if the oppor-
tunity to choose between the two were
ing work most in accord with his in
clinatlons.
While there is little doubt as to the
Craftsmanship of the committees, the prob
abilities are very great that the Republi-
cans will have no little difficulty in choos-
ing successor on the committee to SEN
ator Mcpherson. The filling of this place
will in all probability be the first contest
which will occur in the next Congress be-
tween the silver and anti-silver men, and
the fight will be none the less fierce be-
cause fought under cover.
The silver men now have majority of
constituting this majority being Demo-
Gratis. The silver men are also in the ma
jority in the Senate, but will be in the mi
nority in the Republican caucus. Under
ordinary circumstances the caucus would
control, and in that event, and if left free
to act untrammeled, there is no doubt an
anti-silvcr man would be selected for the
vacancy.
The silver Republicans have, however,
already given notice that the place must
be filled by a man from among their ranks,
and say that in case of failure to make
this concession they will demand recogni-
ton and leave the matter with the Demo
Gratis, who would probably fill the vacancy
with free-silver man.
The names most prominently heard in
connection with the vacancy are those of
Senator Cameron of Pennsylvania, Senator
Wolcott of Colorado and Senator Platt of
Connecticut, the first two being favorable
to silver and the last opposed to it, SEN
ator Wolcott's name is also mentioned in
connection with one of the vacancies in
the Committee on Foreign Relations, and
it is considered probable that in view of
Senator Cameron's long service in the
Senate and of his attitude in favor of a
protective tariff policy, as well as of sill
yer, Mr.. WoIcott's friends may agree to a
compromise which will give the place on
Foreign Relations to Mr.. Wolcott and
that on Finance to Mr. Cameron.
1t has been suggested that, in order to
make place on the committee for Mr..
Plat, the committee membership shall be
increased from eleven to thirteen. This
would permit the appointment of both
a silver and anti-silver advocate by the Re-
publicans, and also the appointment of an
other Democrat on the committee, and the
change may be made.
1t is recalled that the committee has
been increased from seven members to the
present number in comparatively recent
years.