New-York tribune., 1895-12-06
SENATE REORGANIZATION.
THE FIRST STEPS TAKEN BY THE REPUD'
LICAN CAUCUS.
REARRANGEMENr OF THE COMMITTEES LIKELH
TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HoLi-
DAYS. WITH THE COOPERATION
OF THE DEMOCRATS.

TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HoLI-
DAYS, WITH THE COOPERATION
OF rHE DEMOCRATS
fsY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
Washington, De-. 5.-The first practical steps
toward tho reorganization of the Senate COM
mittees were taken this afternoon when the Re-
publican caucus approved with unanimity MI
shermans choice OF a Reorganization Committee.
and the Democratic caucus authorized It's regular
Steering Committee" headed by Mr.. German. to
confer with the Republicans with view to faciii-
tating the proposed transfer OF legislative power
and responsibility to the nominal majority.
Many obstacles have seemed to stand In the way
of a successful reorganizati ton Of the Senate.
In the first place the present Republican mefn-
bership is two short of an absolute majority. ana
will be increased by the admission OF the Sem
ator-eect from Delaware. Mr. Dupont now de-
prived Of his seat and OF the two Senators to ne
chosen in Utah TO cnly bare half or the COM
pleted body To ,ect chairmen OF committees
and officers of the Senate, majority vote is re-
quired by the rules, although vacancies on COM
rnittees other than chairmanships, as was pointed
cut in these dispatches fully two weeks ago.
can be filed by the action OF mere plurality.
No President pro tempore no chairman OF
committee and no officer Of the body can there
fore be chosen by the Republican side at this
session without the consent or assistance oc
Democratic or Populst Senator's; and, for evil
dent reasons, the Populists have so far been IN
clined TO hold off from any alliance until their
status on the committees and their prospects In
the way of patronage should be more definitely
defined.
The Republican Senator'S have themselves been
at serious odds about the advisab!lity OF reor-
ganization and an unusual amount Of friction
has been developed over the conflicting methods
Of distributing the committee fonors which IL
has been proposed to follow The Western free-
silver leaders have been urgent In demanding
more conspicuous recognition on the command
ing committees Of the Senate, and the so-caIed
younger element in the chamber has peeh
loudly proclaimng its purpose to upset the long
established precedent Of distributing COMMITTEES
honors according to seniority OF service HAD
the Democratic managers shown any disposition
to resist the reorganization Of the committees, IL
is altogether probable that the rivalries and d.
visions OF opinion which have existed on the Re-
publican side would have postponed all hope of
a rearrangement for at least month or two.
The Democratic leaders are. however Thoroughly;
weary Of the legislative responsibilities which
they so confidently assumed over two years ago
and failed so signaly to discharge with either
ready to shift the burden of control to other
shoulders
At the Democratic caucus to-day the opinion
was unanimous that no opposition should he
made to the Republican programme OF reform
ing the committees and reassgning the chair
manshps, and Mr.. German and his -essnt~ t~1s'
sociates on the STEERING Committee" will cheer
fully contribute to aid the proposed reorganiza-
ton by distributing the assignments and patron
age allowed to them among the members OF the
Democratic minority. Probably week or two
will be spent in negotiations. but there can be
little doubt thai the committees will be rear
ranged on a Republican basis before the Christ.
mas recess.
The Republican Reorganization Committee
chosen to-day consists Of nine members: Messfs'
Mitchell. Of Oregon; Teller, OF Colorado; Cullom.
Of Illinois Quay, of fennsyIyania; piap D., OF
grew Of South Dakota: Gear. Of Iowa. ana
Pritchard. Of North Carolina. 1t 10 about evenly
divided between the fire" coinage and anti-free
coinage and the younger and older elements
on the Republican side Of the Senate. Messrsi
Mitchell Teller. Pettigrew and Pr!tchard repre-
sent the silver contingent. with NJ Chandlss
holding balance of power and Messrs. Petti-
grew. Gear. Prtchard. Chandler and perhaps
Teller supposed to reflect the We've OF TIM
young blood" agtators for equality IN the dis
tributiOn of committee favors and the greater
dispersion of legislative power by the parcelinS
out Of the appropriation bills after the House
fashion among at least half a dozen committees.
Mr. Mitcnelrs committee will have a somewhat
difficult task. perhaps. in reconcing conflicting
personal interests and ambitions. and effecttng
a distribution of honors which VIII command
practically unanimous support.
The assignments Of ne session OF lSsl-ls93:
when the Republicans were last In power, will
probably be used az basis for ms years re.
adjustment. The first meeting of the committee
will be held on Monday. reorganization OK
the official staff vii not be attempted until later
in the session
Six members of the Democratic Steering COM
mittee" will be Senator's Blackburn. Cockrell.
Harris Brlce. Jones (Ark) and German. who
were on the former committee. Three new ones
will be added To il next Monday by Mr.. German.
II was decided that when the Republicans nom-
mated a candidate for President pro tempore of
the Senate the Democrats should nominate Mr..
Harris. who served during the LIIId Congress.