Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-31
REORGANIZATION OF THE SENATE,
Populis:s Decline To Vote and tho Ecpub.
Iicans Assume Control.

Sopuhsss Deciine tO Vote and tho Ecpub-
Iicans Assume Control.
WASHINGTON. Dec 3l.-Thc most in
tcrcsting feature OF tho senate proceed
tngs yesterday were those that practically
turned the control OF that body over to the
Republicans. The subject camo up on a
resolution offered By Mitchell Of Oregon
for the organization Of the senate COM
mittces. German in n brief speech de-
vclopcd the tactics Of the Democrats,
which evidently wcrc to show that IL the
senate was rcorganizcd 1t could be done
only by an alliance Of the Republicans
and Populists. 1--WE knew on this side, Z"
&c snid, "that we would not have n ma.
tority, and we are not yet certain that the
other side has. That can only be deter.
mined by vote. II they have they are
entitled to the control Of the committees,
and then the country can understand that
they are In control and responsible for
legislation In this chamber" German
therefore demanded the yeas and nays,
which were taken.
The Populists-Allcn Of Nebraska. But.
lcr Of North Carolina, Irby of South Caro-
lima, PETER Of Kansas and Stewart of
Ncvnda-dcclincd to vote. Tilman was
paired against the resolution and Kyle.
the Populist from North Dakota, voted
against the resolution. This acton of the
Populists eliminated tho Populists rs a
factor. and the resolution which gave tho
Republicans the control Of the committees
was adopted by strict party vote of the
members OF the old parties-3D to d. AS
soon as the vote was announced Allen
proceeded to make an explanation Of the
All - ii 4 u
wanted the senate and the country to un.
dcrstand that though small In number
they constituted the nucleus of n thorough.
ly organized p irty. completely independent
IN political principles and sympathics."
When the senate convened a majority OF
the members profcsscd to be In favor of
the FREQ and unlimited coinage Of silver.
Letters had been sent to all Of them to
meet with n view to organizing the sem
ntc on silver lines. With the exception Of
two or three there was no response. Tho
Populists had. therefore, Allen said. de-
cidcd TO take no part in the question OF
who should control the organization. Per-
sonally ho was glad the responsibility for
legislation had passed into the hands OF
the Republicans at both ends OF the Cap
itol.
Harris wanted TO know II the Populists,
with the full knowledge that they held
the balance Of power, had not deliberately
determined by their silence to allow the
Republicans To take control.
Allen said the Popuiists realized that
they held the balance Of power. ''We
have got H." he said, turning to Harris,
'and we propose to utilize it." He had
concluded that tho Democratic party, a.
represented by Cleveland and his friends,
had neither the capacity nor the DISPOSE
tion to relieve tho people. [Republican
laughtcr.l The same was true OF the Re-
publican party. democratic laughter. |
Tho policy Of tho Republicans inaugu-
,SSscd in the other branch OF congress to he
followed here. he predicted, would work
the ruin Of the party within six months.
Mitchell said in justice to the Populists,
that they had absolutely refused to even
suggest committee assignments. WAS
not the position Of non-action and silence
taken by tho Pcpulists," inquired Harris
''qgife n satisfactory rs II they had
pledged their votes to the reSolutionf'
We are always satisfied with what the
senate doss" replied NitcbelL smilipgly