The Green Forest tribune., 1897-03-11
Republicans not i'm Control.


WASHINGTON, March 6,-The Re-
publican senators held a caucas today,
discussing the situation of the parties
in the senate. The only conclusion
reached was the direction of the ap.
poin tment of com mittee TO confer
with the the other parties in th SEN
ate relative to vacancies on the senate
committees. Senator Allison was made
chairman Of this advisory committee,
with power to name other members.
1t was made evident to the Repub-
licans that they did not bave an organ
izing majority as they ROW stood, and
there was no<one who. could assure the
caucas that votes could be expected
from either the Populists or silver
Republican parties.
The announcement of Republican
Senatorial caucus today for the purpose
of considering the advisability of at
te mpti pg to fill the committee vacan-
cies in the senate had the effect of
arousing considerable interest in the
senate organization, and the action of
the Republicans may have the effect of
Immediately precipitating the question
Of control of the senate. Indeed, there
is now, apparently, possibility that
If the Republicans insist upon filling
the places which will be vacated by
Republicans they will lose all control
of the committees, for in that event the
Democrats. the silver Republicans and
Populists, it is asserted, will be united
in oppositi ton and will take the COM
mittees. The senators of each Of these
parties will hold NEE tings in the i'm
mediate future to decide upon course
Of action. There has, it is stated by
senators belonging to the three parties,
already been su fficient exchange of
views to render 1t quite certain tina
will be possible for this combination to
agree upon a basis of union.
There had been some apprehension
that the anti-silver Democrats might
not enter into this arrangement, but it
is asserted that there is no longer oc
casion for doubt ON this score. There
are few Democrats of whom Senator
Jones of Arkansas is one, who doubt
the oxpediency OF assuming the respon
sibility of reorganizing by so many
interests, but the majority are of the
opinion that the advantages are greater
than the disadvantages of a change.
Senator Kyle has also been consid-
cred doubtful factor because of the
assistance Republicans gave him in
securing his election, and no one seem s
TO know what posi- ition he may take, as
he has not expressed himself TO any
one. The combination is quite con-
fident, however, of securing his vote.
They say he has never severed his re-
lation with the Populist party aud that
he has not forgotten that the RepubE-
cans, when they came into power two
years ago, deposed him from his place
at the head of the Committee on Edu-
cation and Labor. The combination
count on being able to organizelwith out
his assistance, if necessary. With him
they expect to have 45 members of the
senate. They therefore could lose
him and still have narrow majority,
Members of the combination refuse
to concede the possibility Of seating
Mr.. Wood as Senator from Kentucky
They say to do SO would mean reversal
Of principles, and they cannot be ex
pected to agree TO this in the interest
OF the opposition.
The fact also developed during the
day that Senator Turner Of Washing.
ton will caucas with the Popnlists
rather than the silver Republicans.