New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-24
THE QUESTION OF ORGANIZATION.

Next week Congress will organize for business.
The House will doubtless return Mr.. Reed to
tbe Sneakers chair and an overwhelming Re-
nublican majority behind him will express the
will OF great majority Of the people. In the
Senate no party has majority. 1t is plain that
the Republicans can make no alliance with the
Populists in order to secure nominal RESPONSE
bjlIty which would not be real control. That
would be the height of folly. If anybody chooses
TO vote for Republican rather than Demo
cratic official of the Senate. 1t should De lor the
sole reason that the Republican cause ana can
didate are preferred.
This is not improbable While only forty-two
Senators are reckoned as Republicans Messrs
ZONES and Stewart. of Nevada. have been so
classed in the Congressional Directory, have
heen invited TO Republican caucuses, and are IN
accord with that party on questions apart from
tho COINAGE Of silver 1t would astonish nobody
if they should enter the Republican caucus aS
Senators from other States who hold exactiy the
same opinion on the silver question WILL since
the Senators from Nevada are III no proper
sense Populists. But it is also entirely possipie
that. agreeing with the Republicans on nearly
all questions they may prefer RepuDhcan 10
Democratic candidates for officers OF the Senate
although they may stay away from any caucus.
Mr. PETER has been in accord with the hepuD-
leans on most questions, and is shrewd enough
70 know that everywhere and particularly III
Kansas the Populiss have lost ground. he mas
nothing TO expect from Democratic organlza-
tion. and would sacrifice nothing II he should
nrefer a Republican organization without any
personal consideration whatever. 1t would be
II; vi tr.at
men who are sure practically to control the Sen
ate for some years to come, whether 'ne! Va
ganlze it this year or not.
Thus it Is possible that responsibility may be
thrust upon the Republicans of the Senate with
out any barter or conditions whatever, merely
because the three Senators named are more near
" in accord with Republican than with Demo
cratic Senators on most questions 1t is also
possible that Senator Butler, of South Carolina,
as he was elected in part by Kepublcan votes
may prefer the same course. In any such event.
the important fact to be observed Is that the
Republicans do not invite the support OF any
body who is not ready and willing to ACT Win
them on the main questions OF legislation III
Mr. Jones thinks silver coinage the only issue,
and cannot in good faith undertake to act with
Republicans as other silver Senators DO he VIII
not be found in a Republican caucus There can
be no bargain of any kind. The Republican
Senators have not the slightest desire for In
creased responsibility this year 1t Is safe to say
that they would not pay for it even the meanest
clerkship Of the least important committee II
q majority of the Senator's desire to act on Re
publican principles, and therefore prefer Re
publican organization. the Republican Senators
will not prevent it by any desire TO shirk what
would then be legitimate duty.
1t may be of great Importance In regard to
foreign relations, and some important questions
likely to arise from them, that the organization
should not be under the influence Of the Presl-
dent AS to that every Senator will judge for
himself The Cleveland policy. if IT can be called
a policy, has been buried in dishonor, but 1t
might yet be in the power of his instruments
TO prevent the maintenance OF American rights
in an emergency. The Senators who desire an
end of Democratic control of the Senate, what
ever they may call themselves will have TO de-
eide the matter entirely on its merits. for they
are probably aware that the Republicans are
quite willing to remain without responsibility
until majority of tie Senators wish to act
with them.