Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-10
Said to Want to Be Sergeant-at-
Arms of the Senate.
REPUBLICANS MAY NOT ORGANIZE
Two Factions in the Party Holding
Opposite Views.
NOTHING DEFINITE KNOWN

A rumor Is afloat around the Capitol to
the effect that Gen. John S. Clarkson of
the national republican committee is a
candidate fer the position Of sergeant-at-
arms of the Senate when that body Is re-
organized by the republicans. Aside from
the general Interest attaching to such an
announcement, it Is of considerable I'M
portance as having bearing on the more
vital question Of whether or not the re-
publicans will undertake the reorganiza-
ton of the Senate Immediately after the
close of the present Congress. This Ques-
ton, it is now well known, Is far from
being settled. There are two distinct theo-
ries held by the republican Senator'S. One
is that inasmu h as the party will only
have a plurality rather than majority
in the Senate, the combination with the
populists would be necessary in order to
secure control Of the organization, which
would be distasteful to most of the leaders,
and would place the party at the mercy of
the seven or eight third party men in the
Senate. making the republicans responsible
for all legislation without giving them the
power to fully control its character. Those
who hold t. this view believe that they
should await the coming of 1897, when a
safe majority over all viii! probably be Sc
cured.
Gen. Clarkson's Quiet Work.
lican side, composed Of Senators who be-
lieve that much may be gained by a cam
bination now in paving the way for gen.
eral reorganization in 81. 1t Is understood
that Gen. Clarkson is doing a great deal of
quiet work to encourage this idea. He is
pointing out, so it is said, the advantages
to accrue to the party from securing the
entire machinery of Congress during the
remainder of President Clevelands term
N1ip,v, o1oV n M
bills through Congress to place the Presi-
dent on record still further on certain I'M
portant questions. Without the control OF
the committees in the Senate. he AYERS,
LEGISLATION by the party will be impossioie,
and 1t is broadly stated that he is very in
dustrious in pointing to the absurdity OF
the democrats having chairmanships OF
committees without majority TO ENFORCE
the legislation which these committees rec
ommend. Some reorganization OF the COM
1nittees themselves, which are the main
spring of senatorial legislation, must ne
says, be mad.
Committee Changes Necessary.
It Is certainly true that many changes
will take place in the Senate committees
and there will have to be rearransement
to some extent Of certain CT the chairman
ships, owing to the increase OF republican
Senator's and the decrease OF the demo-
Gratis. The main object of Gen. Clarkson's
ization. which affects the offices of ser
ge..nt-at-arms and secretary of the Senate.
II the story of his candidacy be true, II Is
probable that he is standing upon pat
ronage rather tina legislative PLATFORM
1t is quietly whispered that Gen. CIarkSon
believes that he has a great deal OF work
ahead of him in the national polltlcal helo'
and that the position of Sergeant-at-arms
of the Senate will give him the hnest van
tage ground for his operations that he
could possibly select. He is known to be
quite an important factor yet in national
republican affairs, and his influence thrown
one way or another in the presldentiai can
vass is not fully disregarded by the prin-
cipal candidate.
He is known to be somewhat favorable
to the plan which has Senator Allison as
its focal point for the campaign or 1896.
OF course, a certain amount OF attention
would have to be paid to the national pros
poets of the republicans in the considera-
ton of this matter.of reorganization. There
Is said to be that factor in the case which
induces certain of the republican leaders to
advocate non-interference with the present
distribution of the Senate offices and chair
manships until after the presidential can
vass Of 1896.
Mr.. Aldrich's Views Not known.
The best authority at hand goes to show
that Senator Aldrich Is probably today
possessed of the most influence in the die
tation Of the policy of the republican side
of the Senate. Just what his attitude is
in regard to the reorganization TO one
has yet been able definitely to ascertain,
and until he makes known his program
it is probable that the question will remain
in doubt
Judge Valentine of Nebraska who was
succeeded sergeant-at-arms by Colonel
Bright, is known to be also an applicant
for reelection to that position, but the
general opinion is that in the event of
Reorganization he would hardly be sue
&C ssful. 1t is not now thought that Gen.
eral McCook will care for the position of
secretary Of the Senate should it become
available. He is known to be in line for
one of the most lucrative places under the
government of the city of New York.