The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-07
A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
rHEvxCANcrEs ca USE sOME D0CBr
AsTo rHkIRsrANDIN0.
A" Committee on the situation" Appoints
ed-Wood May Not BE sesicd-ksie
MAY Act with Them.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March o.-Ihe
orn cancus OF the Senate OF the Fifty
nnh CONGRESS- was held this afternoon.
1t was not productive OF results. After
a discussion OF one hour and half, dur
ing which Senator Allison. OF Iowa, was
made the caucus chairman and Senator
Wilson OF Washington. reelected caucus
sccrctary a resolution was adopted au-
thorl1nlg the chairman 10 appoint a
committee of seven, of which he. himself
IL to be the head This committee is
known as the Committee on the Sit
uation."
NOT AGREED.
Tho discussion this afternoon, while
largely informal in character, developed
the fact that Republicans are not agreed
as 10 where they stand or how they viii
stand when the membership of the Sen
alto Is completed by the election Of Sena-
tor TO fin existing vacancies in oregon
and Kentucky.
Senator Aldrich, n member OF the
Steering Committee" OF the last Senate.
started the discussion with the statement
that the caucus should decide whether
IL would at this time appoint n committee
TO mn the vacancies in the Senate com
mittees. or whether It would appoint a
political committee similar 10 the Steer
ing Committee OF the last session. Sen
stor Aldrich. who had given the situation
in the Senate very careful consideration.
was inclined 20 10 slow. and suggested
that II would be wise for the Republicans
10 know their strength before asserting
II. This suggestion appeared 20 meet
with tho communication of the other
leaders IN the Senate.
Senator Proctor said that there could
be no doubt that the Republicans would
have majority IN the Senate with the
casting vote OF tho Vice-Presldent. He
asserted that n Republican would be sent
from each OF the States OF Oregon and
kentucky.
Inasmuch as this makes a total OF but
forty-four votes. and fcrty-fve are ne
cessary TO tie tho Senate on full vote,
Mr.. Proctor was asked where he proposed
10 get that one vote. Mr.. Proctor evaded
the question and the conversation be-
came general
is IT KYLE?
II is said that no names were men
toned, but the intmatiOn was very
strongly conveyed that Mr.. Kyle would
supply that vote Mr. Kyle is the Popu-
list recently reelected from South Da-
kota by the solid Republican vote after
tho greater part Of his own party had
forsakon him. Should he vote with the
IAfUAIi'hlhs hlil rlbuiu lltN tfl lUf lMO
votes from Kentucky and Oregon. Vice
President Hobart would be in a position
10 cast the deciding vote on all contest
cd questions.
The action OF Governor Bradley. OF Ken
lucky. IN appointing Mr.. Wood TO sue
coed Mr.. Blackburn was commented
upon. 1t was conceded that this appoint
ment would be contested and that the
credentials Of Mr.. Wood would be sent
10 the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons. where a fight against him will be
inauclrated The decision ,of the Senate
in the Mantle case was also alluded to,
and the prediction made that i'm view
OF this decision Mr.. Wood would hardly
lie permitted 10 take his seat. Senator
Hoar took the ground that the Kentucky
case was controlled b. the decision in the
Blair and Bell cases from New Ilamp-
shire. a decision which. he Observed par
entheticaly. ought TO have been respected
in tie confederation Of the Mantle case.
FOR this reason II was believed 10y many
that no senator from Kentucky would be
permitted to take his seat until elected
ly the LEGISLATURE
The Oregon case also came I'm for some
discussion Senator Proctor. making the
statement that the Governor Of that
state would also appoint senator.
Ia view of all these facts. IL was agreed
that It would be the part Of wisdom 10
move slowly. and a resolution offered
by Mr.. Culiom. and modified at the sug-
gcstiOn OF Mr. Hoar. was agreed 10. pro-
viding for the committee heretofore in
dicatcd. This committee viii confer with
the Democratic leaders in an endeavor 10
ascertain the situation" and will report
TO another caucus. which will be held
Tuesday.
PLATTs ADVICE.
Senator Platt Of Connecticut. suggested
that the conditions in the Senate were
such that a political Advisory Committee
was absolutely essential ana temporarily,
at least. the duties OF the Old Steering
Committee will be performed by the COM
mittee. which Mr. Allison was authorized
70 appoint.
Mr. Platts suggestion doubtless grew
out Of the rumOr that has been going the
rounds for several days. that the Demo-
Gratis both sound money and silver, in
tended 10 combine with the silver Re-
publlcans and Popuilsts IN an attempt 10
capture the committees ana organization |
Of the Senate. This alleged combination |
was not referred TO this afternoon i'm the |
specific language, but was limited al in |
the numerous references 10 existing con- |
ditons," ana phrases OF similar import
The tariff was mentioned. but incident |
ally. NO WNtNrlllttr- Na~ MANIFEST tea on !
that score. and the statement was made |
that there would be no serious opposition !
to the passage OF tariff bill constructed |
by Republicans, after reasonable time !
had been given TO debate. No other ques-
tons were discussed.
The speakers were Senators FRYE. Hale.
Pritchard HOar Cullom, Chandler Plat |
Of Connecticut, Aldrich and Carter The
latter gentleman gave every evidence OF
working In perfect harmony with his Re
publican associates. regardless Of his pre-
deliction for silver. lie advised the eau
cus that there was no need TO hurry in
this matter. and suggested. as had sew
eral others. that better results might be
obtained by first ascertaining what the
exact situation I'm the Senate was. Mr..
Piatt of New York did not attend.
Mr. Hanna and Mr. Foraker. of Ohio.
were present and participated In the pro-
cecdings only as intensely Interested spec
tators. Neither 81 them addressed the
caucus.
1t Is probable that after Mr.. Allsons
committee have had a conference with
the Democratic Steering Committee that
Democratic caucus Will be held.
SEA1TOR TKOU OREGON.