The times., 1897-04-17
FILLING THE COMMITTEES.
senator German Grants Some of the
Republican Demands.

terday afternoon and granted some of
the demands made by the Republicans IN
connection with the filling of the com
mittee vacancies. This concession re-
suited in a full and complete understand
ing, and a final agreement was reached
which viii be submitted to the Republican
caucus, to be held Monday morning at 10
O'Clock
The end, however, is not yet, for there
is an element of opposition in the Repub-
iicau ranks that will seek to upset the
work the CAUCUS committee has done.
This faction, headed by Senator Chandler
is antagonistic TO any agreement that
will look liket a recognition of the bolt
ing silver Republicans as regular mem
bers of the Republican party.
The agreement reacned yesterday con-
cedes to the Republicans an additional
straightout Republican on the Committee
on Appropriations and an additional meni-
her on the Committee on Postoffices and
POstroads. Other increased memberships
were granted the plurality party. which
gives them absolute control OF all the inn
portHnt comnittees-witnout the aid OF
Mr.. Kyle, Populist-with the exception of
the Committee on Appropriations, which
is not political, and the Committee on
Finance, which is political. Mr.. Gorinan
and his associates have hitherto held out
for Democratic representation on all the
committees just as they stood at the close
OF the Eifty-fourth Congress. He refus ed TO
recognize any changed conditions in the
Republican party, asserting that, mas
much as that party provided for the PopH-
lists and others holding the balance OF
power two years ago when 1T took the
committees they should do so now MIR.
Gorman contended that the Republicans
were on precisely the same grounds now as
then. plurality party only.
The Republicans held out for an absolute
majority on the AppropIiations and Post
office Committees, but this was refused.
No agreement appeared TO be in sight
until Mr. German capitulated partially, at
least, this afternoon, and granted the
Republicans one more member Oh the
appropriations Committee and the others
named The Republicans contended for
Appropriations so strongly because Messrs.
Teller ana Pettgrew both boiling Repub-
licans, had been placed there by them
before they left their party and under the
conditions held the balance Of power.
AT the conference yesterday afternoon
the Republicans Ms were represented by SEN
ators Mcmillan, Gallinger and Carter and
the Democrats by Senators Cor man, Cock
rcl, Waithail. Smith and Faulkner Mr
German acted as spokesman for the Demo-
Gratis. He stated that they were willing
To give the Republicans forty OF the chair
manshps, permitting the silver Repub-
licans to stay where they Were. Beyond
this they were unwilling to go, Mr.. Nc
MILAN told the Democrats that such an
arrangement would not be agreed TO md
insisted that their demands with respect
to Appropriations and PostoffiCcS be grant
ed. Mr.. McMla n laid especial stress upon
the last named committee for the reason
that IL was quasi-political in ts nature
and had charge of all the nomina tions sent
In by the President The Administration
party could not and would not consent
that this committee should be dominated
by n combination against it OF any sort
or kind.
Finally Mr. German laid the road for a
neat withdrawal from the demands he
made He said that, perhaps, the Re
publicans would get another Senator in
Kentucky. and possibly they might secure
ono in Oregon. In view of that fact, the
Democrats would give them additional
representation of ten members on various
committees This number would be what
they were entitled to under the divide, if
they had the Sen ators from those States,
and Mr. German said his colleagues and
he We're wilinEtha it should he assumed
that the Republicans had them for the pur
pose OF the committee assignments
OF these assignments, Mr.. German said
they would concede one additional Repub-
lican on Appropriations and one on Post
offices and Postr6ads This was agreed
to. and the other additional assignments
were easily determined. They relate en-
tirciy to unimportant committees. such rs
Coast Defenses, to Examine the Several
Branches of the Civil Service, Fisheries.
Indian Depredations, etc. none of them
OF any Importance The Republicans are
to have forty coIIffnitteeshps in Independent
of the Craftsmanship of the Committee on
Indian Affairs which will be retained by
Mr.. PettigTew.
This arrangement will leave two of the
new Senators without chairnansflip,
but this is small matter, opera ting chiefly
in the matter OF the salary of clerk and
making a small difference in the annual
payment to that individual. Who will be
omitted is not now known, but they Will
in all probability be two of the new
Senators who secured assignments to the
more important committees. The 4d
vantage tc be derived by such an assign
ment is infinitely better than securing
small charmanship.
Under this plan the Republicans VIII have
six straight-out members on appropriations
audthe Democratsfive. Thisleav the two
holting Republicans holding the balance
of power The vote of either one of the two
would give the Republicans the absolute
majority The Postoffice Committee is
soldly Republican. Earlier in the discus
sion of this matter the Republicans de-
manded that the Finance Committee be
given them, but the Democrats refused this
and said if they got it it could only be
through brute force or an absolute ma
iority vote in the Senate. As the COM
piexion of that committee is controlled by
the silver or anti-slver forces, the Republi-
cans did not have the votes and were COM
PEELED TO be content to let it stay as at
present.
A Republican will be substituted for
Mr. Sherman, and a silver Democrat for
Mr. Voorhees,, with Senator Jones Of Ne
vada, Populist. remaining. This commit
tee will therefore, stand, six Democrats,
all for silver; one Populist five gold Re-
publicans, and Senator Wolcott, a silver
man. but cooperating with his Republican
colleagues
The Republican committee will urge the
caucus to accept this scheme Monday. 1t