The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-12


to Take Action Through Fear of Failure.
The Division in Democratic Ranks-Re-
publicans Three Votes Short Of 81 Major.
ity-The Matter Discussed in Democratic
Caucus.
Washington, March 9.-For a little
more than two hours this afternoon the
democrats of the senate endeavored to
reach some conclusion upon the ques-
tion of the organization OF the senate.
Like the republican conference of Sat
urday, it was fruitless IN results. Two
Factions arrayed against each other.
On the one hand the republicans pres
ent a solid phlanx Of fOrty-two votes
that will stand by each other through
thick and thin. On the other hand
there are divided ranks Of gold stand
ard democrats, silver democrats, bolt
ing silver republicans and populists.
The problem before those seeking to
take the control of the senate from
the republicans is how can these va
rious factions be solidified and made
one in interest. No satisfactory an
swer 10 this question has yet been pro-
proceeds, the less appears to be the
chance of definite action by reason Of
the inability of these contending fac
tions to cohere into one determined
party of opposition. Caucuses and con-
ferences have been numerous since the
new senate convened. The populists,
while holding no formal caucus, have
agreed among themselves that they
!n~ hot hA
endorsed by the democrats. So, too, the
silver republicans-those who bolted
the st. Louis platfor1n-have agreed to
stand by whatever policy may be in
augurated by the stronger Of the
bodies in opposition to the element
now in control of the senate commit
tees
When the democratic caucus was
called for today there was no distinc-
ton made between the men who en-
dOrsed the Chicago ticket and those
who stood upon the Indianapolis plat
form. Notices of the caucus were sent
to every democrat. Of the gold men,
only Mr.. Lindsay, of Kentucky, attend
ed. Senators Gray of Delaware, and
Caffery of Louisiana, were absent. The
absence of Senator Gray is not look
fiat 5 rh Whenever the '' senate fat a' ad ioaTns
over he runs up to his home for the
few days at his disposal. Senator Caf-
ferry, the second absentee, was the
permanent chairman of the Indianap-
Oils convention, and his absence may
have some political significance. The
situation was discussed in a rather in
formal manner, and the only result
reached was the appointment of the old
steering committee, with Senators
Faulkner, of West Virginia, and Smith,
of New Jersey, substituted for Sena
tors Brice and Blackburn, whose terms
expired last Thursday.
The effort to take the committees
from the republicans is agonized by
some leading democrats for various
reasons.
Senator German thinks the scheme
to consolidate all the factions in the
senate by a combination with the sill
YER republicans and the popuhsts
would be dangerous and would result
in the establishment of a precedent
that might prove embarrassing in the
future.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, chair
man of the national committee, is un-
derstOod to be opposed to it because
the democrats have not sufficient votes
with those of their allies ito do what is
proposed TO be DONE This conclusion is
based upon the assumption that Sem
atOrs Lindsay Of Kentucky, Gray of
Delaware, and Caffery of Louisiana,
each of whom supported the Indian
apolis ticket, are not democrats. Sena
tor Jones is supported by several of
the more radical silver men who thus
hope to emphasize their disapproval OF
the course Of these senators. These
same men also appreciate the fact
that il they had possession Of the
committees they would be Handicapped
by the republican house, and the re-
publican president and would be un-
able to consummate any of their own
plans OF legislation. The result of the
two hours talk, therefore, was con-
centrated in the appointment OF the
committee mentioned, and this COM
.mittee will confer with the other fac
tions and possibly with the republi-
can steering committee announced to-
day by Chairman Allison.
The republicans do not epxect any
serious result from all the talk of set
| ting aside the present organization OF
| the committees. They have so far fall
ed to see just how the contending ele-
mentS in the senate will be able to
! agree upon AZ plan of action. At the
! same time the republicans realize their
/ Importance, not having more than
| forty-two votes and with little hope Of
having the two senators appointed
from Kentucky and Oregon, seated.
| The belief on the part of the leading
republican senators is that the silver
/, democrats cannot count upon the votes
of the gold democrats.
| It cannot be verified, but it is stated
tonight with much positiveness that
Senator Teller, of Colorado, was 1t
| the caucus. The scheme for reOrganf-
Zation of the senate on silver lines
/ contemplate the election of ex-Sena-
| tor Dubois, of Idaho. as secretary Of
the senate, in place of Mr.. Cox. OF
| North Carolina, and the retention OF
Colonel Richard Wright cf Indiana, as
| sergeant-at- arms. A note was sent to-
~,-a&
ing him to be in his seat tomorrow at
+ noon.
| Bismarck's Poor Condition OF Health
Berlin, March 10.-The Hamburger
Nachrichten announces that Prince