The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-10-31
SENATE REORGANIZATION.
The Shrewdest Republican Leaders Op-
pose Any Combination.

pose Any Combination.
A lively interest seems to have been
aroused in the question of the reorganiza-
ton of the senate. The Democrats, not
having majority of the body but hav-
ing the organization already, are saying
nothing. On general principles, most of
| them would like to retain their nominal
control of the organization, but the prac
teal politicians, like German and Hill,
would little rather the Republicans
| would come in by some combination and
take possession of the small offices, and
with them the big responsibility and no
! power. 1t is not likely, however, that
! the Republicans will fall into such an
obvious error. As far as heard from,
the Republican senators appear to be
| about equally divided on the subject.
The principal leaders and all those noted
| for their shrewdness and foresight pre-
| fer that matters should be allowed to
stand as they are, and there are some
who declare that they could not be in
duced to vote to assume the responsible
ty of the senate, without power to con-
troll its action. Some, like Sherman,
favor an arrangement with the Demo
Gratis to divide favors and responsible
ties, and this policy may prevail, but
cans will attempt a reorganization.
One thing not generally taken into con-
sideration in the discussion of the ques-
tl0n is the attitude which most of the
western senators, whether silver or an
ti-sllVer men, must of necessity occupy
toward the matter. There is not a SEN
ator in any of the agricultural or min
era! States who can afford to be, directly
or indirectly, Immediately or remotely,
associated with the Populists. 1t would
oe political death to most any of them
Tor 1t to be understood at their homes
that they have voted to enter n com.
bine with the Populists, and that they
owed their positions on the committees
10 the assistance of these third party
senators. The stronger the Populists |
are in his State the worse it would he |
for. the Republican senator suspected of |
training in such company. In every |
State, except in certain parts of the |
south, where the Populists have any
Republicans and Democrats
make common cause against them. In
some sections it is a battle for life. and
there the term Populist has a terror far
all who are not Populists. 1t is believed
IN both parties that for either to give
them the least recognition would be fatal
to the interests of the public and utterly
disastrous to the party. This is particli-
arly the case in all the new States. Both
parties are engaged in vigorous denun-
:iation of Populism.
1t can be understood, therefore, why
senator's from that section cannot afford
o nave the Republican party give any
ort OF recognition to the Populists in
ne senate. Some of them have warned
Sfprn pf |
nat under no circumstances would they
ote for a reorganization which was de-
endent upon Populist assistance. The
republican silver men are even more I
ARMED at the idea of being associated
nth the Populists than are the senators l
rom the banking centers. The Demo-
rats are not confronted with any promo {
tlon to combine, since all they need TO |
ontrol is for things to go on as they are, /
ne conservatives of both sides recog-
lze that the politics of the present is
war ON Populism in it's various forms.
nd and this establishes a comfy be- ,,
Veen the managers of the two old -
irtles. a squabble over small Offices. q
hich the Populist senators wonld no. a
!iled IN TO settled. is not to be thought a
The losses the Democrats have Sis ~
med leave number of important com ="
lttee chairmanships vacant. These d
Ill nave to be filled, and it will proba- ~
Y involve some shifting about. indie r
ndently of any idea of reorga nization g,
is most probable that there will be an v,
JuStment between the two parties and
Republicans will come in for n share m
the chairmanships without having tn s.
ke the responsibility of a senate which r
ey could not control. -
suffers retirement leaves vacant tho p
alrmanship of the interstate commerce.
Camden's that of rontinoont l;s
pensess, Martins that of railroods ms
nsom's that of commerce. Jeryis thai w
clvil service, Coke's that of fishar;es tb
u McPherson's that of naval affairs mr.
SIDES these. chairmanships there nre ri,
number of committee assignments lo1
Is maze vacant 1t is intended more su
II, TO increase the membership of Soma tn
, ne committees, conspicuousiy that of VIZ
lnce, on which it is designed to Ma 90 to
cameron and Platt, and TO distrihute no
appropriation bills among n nnn,hos he
committees All t IhGniDer 20,
an opportunity for the distrihnt; o, sh,
apportlonment of COMMITTEES faHonn prt
n af partisan reorga MIA tion ois flo1
shington, d. G., Evening Star. PEI
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