New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-20
THE SENATE PEORG1

After five weeks of ninrte ana aDorio"S me-
collation. the long deferred reorganization or the
committees in the dclibcrativc branch OF Coh-
gress seems on the point of being accomplished
Through a compromise finally reached by me
representatives of the five political factions now
striving for power and advantage in the senate
the existing committee vacancies are to be iilled
on the wholly arbitrary theory that each faction
is to supply the places lost by it through retire
ments or otherwise since March ) last. Inc
Republican side of the Senate thereby retains
n nominal control of the Senates organization
holding all the first-class chalrmanshipS. ana
having n majority vote on every committee OF
consequence except the all-important one or
Finance The energy and persistency with which
the fight for reorganization has been carried on
coupled with the unusual lumber Of party eau
ciises called during its progress, have evidently
encouraged the impression that serious polltica
interests were involved in this longdrawn con
test Indeed by some II seems to nave Deeh
supposed tina, the fate of the Dingley bill ana OF
all other legislation planned for the eXtraordi
nary session hinged on the result OF this mannu
wiring for the control of the legislative mhchn
cry of the Senate. No impression could well be
more misleading Republican supremacy in the
Senate will be no more firmly established when
the new scheme Of assignments goes into erect
than it was when the two branches met month
ago at the call of the President. No visible
party interest will be advanced by the proposed
reimbursement Of the committee lists; no 0bsta-
Gle to the passage of the House Tariff bill will
he removed: no definite parliamentary adyan-
tage gained for the impending struggle to carry
through an apathCtic If not hostile chamber the
legislative programme on which the Republican
party last year regained its historic lease OF
power
The real motive underlying the agitation for
a Encouragement Of committee assignments was
one of personal convenience rather than politi-
cal expediency The Republican strength in the
Senate when that body assembled on March .
was forty-two votes-two short of a majority in
a membership of eGhty-seven. In an emer-
gency the aid Of Mr.. Kyle of South Dakota.
might have been counted on; but even with his
assistance one vote was lacking to an effective
political control Powercss to enforce Il rcor-
ganizaton on Republican lines. the party lead
ers doubted AZ first the ACCESSIBILITY of entering
upon any general redistribution Of committee
places. No benefit. 1t was argued. would come
from an attempt TO disturb the balance Of power
in the Senate until the chief purpose for which
the session was called had been accomplished
For while this policy prevailed. But so vigor-
Gus was the pressure brought to bear by the new
corners in the body, who saw themselves unfeel-
ingly cut off from the conyenicnceS privileges
and patronage Of committee service that after
much delay and diplomatic fencing an amicable
agreement has been reached which practically
revlves the political divisions recognized in fran
ing the committees two years ago.
That such an agreement favors the elements
in opposition rather than the Republican plural
ity is easily seen from the fact that Of the nine
teen Senators who lost their seats on March 3
only four were Republicans. while twelve were
Democrats two Silvertes end one n Populst
On the other hand. the sixteen new Senators in
cude eight Republicans, seven Democrats and
one Populist. Fully twice as many places will
therefore 90 to the seven new Democrats az TO
the eight new Republicans. 1t Is to be hoped
that this illogical and ineffective plan Of reor-
ganizaton will not long remain unchallenged,
and that with the capture Of two additional votes
from Kentucky and Oregon genuine Repub-
lican control Of the Senate will he established.
Then only can the Senate join the House Of
Representatives and the President in carrying
ont unhampe-cd the legislative policies which
trlumphed last November a the polls.