The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-09
I hey Decline to Go Into the
Republican Caucus.
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
Dubois Resigns as Secretary of
the Caucus.
OFF THE STEERING COMMITTEE
Not One of the nti-McKiuley Senator's
Accepted the Gold Spiders In
Vitation to Walk into
HE parIor
His ParIOr.


Washington, Dec. S.--There were only
three Republican Senators in the marble
room at 10 o'clock to-day, the hour at
which the Republican caucus was call
ed. They were Senators Sherman, Haw-
ley and Carter. Others sufficient to
constitute a quorum stroled in during the
next fifteen or twenty minutes, so that
the caucus was well under way by 1920
o'clock.
The most noticeable feature Of the eau
Gus as seen from the outside was the =
absence of the men who had bolted the
nomination of Mckinley because Of the
gold standard platform. Those who were
absent on this account were Senators
Dubois, Pettigrew, Mantle, Cannon,
Squire and Teller. All of these except
Senator Teller were in the city and could
have attended if they had been so dispos-
ed. That their absence was intentional
was clearly shown by the following let
ter which Senator Dubois sent to the,
caucus and which was read soon after
the meeting was called to order by SEN
| ator Sherman:
United States Senate, Washington, d.
c., Dec. 8. 1896.
TO Hon. John Sherman, Chairman eau
Gus Of Republican Senators, Washing
ton, ID. G.
Sir: | hereby respectfully resign my
position as Secretary Of the caucus of
Republican Senators. l also resign my
position as a member and Secretary of
the Republican advisory or Steering
committee Of the Senate.
Very truly yours,
FRED. 7. DUBOIS.
Senator Dubois letter Of resignation
was received without u word of COM
ment
We-just closed up the ranks and march
ed on" said of the participants in refer
ence to the incident after the close Of
the meeting.
There was no formal motion to accept
| the resignation, but taking its acceptance
as a matter of fact. Senator Lodge
| moved the election Of Senator Wilson, Of
Washington, in his stead, as Secretary,
while Senator Shoup was placed on the
steering committee in the place vacated
by his colleague. This committee was al
so enlarged by the addition of the name
Of Senator Hansbrough.
The adYisability of trying to pass the
Dingley tariff bill was the main topic
of discussion, though the meeting had
been called for the purpose of agreeing
upon 4 programme for the entire session.
This question was, however, referred to
the steering committee. 1t is the gem
eral opinion among the Republican Sena-
| tors that the Dingley bill will not be
taken up. Senator Morrill, and others
equally influential, who vigorously sup
ported it last winter, now advocate
awaiting an opportunity to draft a new
tariff bill along Republican lines.
After Mr.. Lodge had explained the
status of the immigration bill the caucus
decided to stand by that measure as a
party and to press for its early considera-
ton.
The caucus also decided for an inter-
national agreement on silver by agreeing
to a resolution introduced by Senator
Wolcott, as follows:
Resolved, That q special committee
Of five members Of this caucus be aQ-
pointed to recommend some plan whereby
legislation may be had at this session
| of Congress looking to international con-
ference with leading commercial nations
of the world for the promotion of BIZ
metallism."
The caucus adjourned, having been in
session less than an hour.
The action of the silver Republican
Senators in refraining from attendance
upon the Republican caucus has led to
no little speculation as to whether the
course pursued to-day is q forerunner Of
the future or whether they will not at
some time return to the party. Some
Republicans think it possible the re-
cusant Senators regard to-day's meeting
as merely preliminary and will come back
into the fold after a time. This sup
position is apparently without founda-
ton or justification. The silver Senators
are very chary about discussing their
motives or intentions for the future.
They say, without exception, however,
that in taking the position they have
they do not mean to place themselves
in the attitude of opponents of pro-
tectiye tariff policy, but rather they desire
to be in an entirely Independent position
where they can accept or reject any tariff
proposition presented by their former
party associates. Senator Pettigrew and
Senator Dubois so expressed themselves.
Many overtures by personal friends were
made to the silver men to induce them
to attend the meeting.