The herald., 1896-12-11
SESSION NOTES
No Democratic Caucus Will Be Held
Legislative Vagaries

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-The compar-
atively early adjournment of the senate
today was taken advantage of by some
of the Democratic leaders of that body
to hold a meeting for the exchange of
views on the policy to be pursued in the
senate by the party during the present
session. Senators German, Jones of
Arkansas, Harris, Cockrell and Walthall
remained through the meeting, and Sen
ators Brice and Faulkner were present
for short time.
Among other questions under consld
GRAFTON was that of senatorial elections
in the various states. The Democrats
are convinced the Republicans will make
every effort to secure majority of the
senate through the elections in the vari-
Gus state legislatures this winter, but at
today's meeting the sentiment was that
the Republicans would not win in
enough states to insure majority in the
senate.
1t is announced as a result of the con-
ference that the Democrats had nothing
in view so far as the party was con-
cerned. There will be no caucus called at
present and probably not during the ses-
sion, unless some exigencies arise which
will make it necessary. The opinion was
general that nothing could be done at this
session except to pass the appropriation
bills. AS to taking up the Dingley bill,
the Democrats will vote as they may in
dividually may determine. No obstruc-
tion tactics will be employed against the
bill, but the whole Democratic party un-
doubtedly would resist it's passage by
votes and by such amendments as could
be added to the measure. 1t was gen.
orally understood also that party lines
would not be drawn tightly during the
present session.
Representative Barrett of Massachu-
setts has introduced bill providing that
members of the presidents cabinet shall
be chosen either from the senate or house
or representatives. with the restriction
that the secretary of the treasury shall
be chosen from the house and the Sec
retary of state from the senate They
are to retain their seats in congress and
lose their portfolio when the term to
which they are elected expires Only the
salary of cabinet officer is to be drawn
by such official A member of congress
who passes from one house to the other
will retain his position in the cabinet
They are to be confirmed in the manner
now required by law.
Inc senate in eXecutaive session today
ratified the agreement made between
Secretary Olney and Minister Romero of
Mexico. extending for a year the pro-
visions of the treaty between the United
States and Mexico for survey and re-
location of the international boundary
line west of the Rio Grande. The treaty
was called up by Senator Sherman and
was adopted by the senate without de-
bate or explanation beyond the state
ment of the fact that there were some
details of the work which had not been
completed. The original treaty was ne
gotiated in 1882. and it has been fire.
quently extended
Representative Doolttle of Washing
ton circulate da petition during the DAY
asking the rules committee of the house
to grant time for the consideration of
the Nicaragua canal bill reported from
the committee on Interstate commerce
and foreign commerce. Nearly every
member of the house to whom the petit
ton was presented signed it, and Mr..
Doolittle hopes to secure large major
ity from the house in favor of the meas
lra