St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-11-23
DEMOCRATIC STEERING CONF
MITTEE HOLDS A SESSION AT
WASHINGTON.
TO PLAY A WAITING GAME,
LETTING THE REPUBLICANS AND
POPS DEVELOP THEIR
PLANS.
THE CONTROL OF THE SENATE.
Every Question of Policy to Be
Thoroughly Debated With
the Republicans.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Tne
fact transpired today that the Dem
ocratic steering committee of the
senate held meeting in this city of
three hours duration on Wednesday
last. The members who were pres
ent are very reticent as to what oc-
Cured, but it is known that a thor
ough canvass was made of the DEM
ocratic situation, with a view of de-
Gliding upon line of policy in the
next session. The question of the
cussed at length. The committee did
not reach a final conclusion on this
matter, but when it adjourned there
was a general understanding that
unless future events should make a
change desirable, the committee
will recommend to the Democrats
in the senate to make no move what
ever until the Republicans and the
Populists shall develop their plans.
1t appeared from the discussion that
the Democratic senators are divid-
ed as to the policy to pursue, some
advocating an active effort to re-
tain Democratic control of the SEN
ate, while others advise surrender
to the Republicans without a strug-
gle. The steering committee finally
concluded that it would be wise to
wait until it was made plain wheth-
er the Republicans would be a unit
in their desire to take control, and
whether the Populists would hold
together or some of them would
agree to assist the Republicans. This
the committee felt the Democrats
could afford to do in view of the
fact that the senate is continuing
body and the present organization
holds until supplanted by another,
at the will Of the senate.
In case of the absence of the vice
president, it would become necessary
to elect a president pro tenn, but it
is believed by the Democratic man
ayers that Vice President Steven
sons presence can be counted upon.
Some of the Democratic senators
consider it very doubtful if the Re-
publicans can get together upon a
plan of organization. At any rate,
they do not expect the Republicans
to take aggressive steps until after
the Utah senators shall come in and
it shall be determined what DISPOSE
ton shall be made of Mr.. Duponts
claims to the vacant seat from Della
ware.
There are indications that the
committee also considered the gen.
eral question of party policy with
reference to legislation which shall
be proposed by the Republican
party in the senate and house, and
there are reasons for believing that
the steering committee will recon-
mend a determined effort all along
the line to restore Democratic pres
tige in the country. One plan which
probably will be adopted to this end
is that of insisting upon a thorough
discussion of all questions which
may be presented. Members of the
steering committee therefore scout
the idea of short session.
The regular Friday cabinet meet
ing today was attended by all of the
members except Secretary Morton,
who has gone West. The president
was driven into town from Woodley
by Mrs. Cleveland. He has been
engrossed by his annual message to
congress for some time, and it is be-
lieved that the matters to be in
cluded in the reports of the cabinet
officers and the state of the finances
formed the topics discussed at the
meeting