The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-07

Washington. March 6.-The first caucus
of the senate, of Fifty-fifth congress was
held this afternoon. 1t was not pro-
ductive of results. After a discussion OF
one hour and a half, during which Sena-
tor Allison, of Iowa. was made the caucus
chairman, and Senator Wilson, of Wash
ington. reelected caucus secretary, a
resolution was adopted authorizing the
chairman to appoint a committee of
seven, of which he himself is to be the
head. This committee is known as ''the
situation
NOT AGREED.
The discussion this afternoon. while
largely informal in character, developed
the fact that Republicans are not agreed
as to where they stand, or how they will
stand when the membership of the senate
is completed by the selection of senators
in Oregon and Kentucky to fill existing
vacancies.
Senator Aldrich, a member of the steer
ing committee of the last senate. started
the discussion with the statement that
the caucus should decide whether it would
at this time appoint committee TO fill
the vacancies in the senate committee. or
whether ii would appoint a committee
similar to the steering committee of the
last session. Senator Aldrich, who had
given the situation in the senate very
careful consideration. was inclined TO go
slow, and suggested that il would be wise
for the Republicans to know their
strength before asserting it. This sug-
geStion appeared to meet with the COM
mendauon of the other leaders in the
senate.
Senator Proctor said that there could
be no doubt that the Republicans would
have a majority in the senate with the
asserted that a Republican would be sent
from each of the states of Oregon and
Kentucky.
Inasmuch as this makes total of but
A votes, and 40 are necessary to NE the
senate on a full vote. Mr.. Proctor was
asked where he proposed to get that one
vote. He evaded the question and the
became general.
KYLE MAY GIVE IT.
1t is said that no names were mentioned
but the intimation was very strongly con-
veyed that Mr.. Kyle would supply that
vote Mr. Kyle is the Populist recently
reelected from South Dakota by the
solid Republican vote after the greater
part of his own party had forsaken him.
Should he vote wftif~the Republicans and
should they get the two votes from Ken
lucky and Oregon. Vice-president Hobart
would bein position to cast the decid-
ing vote on all contested questions
The action of Governor Bradley of
Kentucky in appointoing Mr.. Wood to
succeed Mr.. Blackburn, was commented
upon. II was conceded that this appoint
credentials of Mr.. Wood would be sent
to the committee on privileges and cleo
tions, where a fight against him Will be
The decision of the senate in the
Mantle case was also alluded to. and the
prediction made that in view of this de-
cision. Mr.. Wood would hardly be per-
mitted to take his seat
Senator Hoar took the ground that the
Kentucky case was controlled by the de-
cision in the Blair and Bell cases from
= .s--s.@ f<.r. 1, ,I
served perenthetically. ought to have been
respected in the consideration of the
Mantle case For this reason, it was be-
ieved by many. that no senator from
his seat until he was elected by the legis-
ature.
The Oregon case, also, came in for
some discussion, Senator Proctor making
the statement that the governor of that
state would also appoint a senator.
WILL MOVE SLOWLY.
In view of all these facts, it was agreed
hat it would be the part of wisdom to
move slowly and a resolution offered by
Mr.. Cullom. and modified at the sugges-
ion of Mr.. Hoar, was agreed to. pro-
7iding for the committee heretofore in
Heated. Thi slmittee will confer with
he Democr; leaders IN an endeavor
% ascertain y. situaL.cn.' and will re-
port TO another caucus which will be
Senator Platt. of Connecticut, sug-
,ested that the conditions in the senate |
we're such that political advisory COM |
nittee was absolutely essential and |
at least. the duties of the |
I'D steering committee will be performed |
" the committee which Mr.. Allison is |
authorized to appoint
Mr.. Platt's suggestion, doubueSS, grew |
nut of the rumor that has been going /
he rounds for several days, that the |
Democrats, both sound money and silver, |
intend to combine with the silver Re |
and PODuliStS in an ATTEMPT to |
apture the committees and organization /
# the senate. This alleged commission |
vas not referred to this afternoon in
pecial language. but was limited at in /
he numerous references to existing con- |
itions," and phrases of similar import.
The tariff was mentioned but incident |
lily. No uneasiness was manifested on
hat score and the statement was made
hat there would be no serious opposition
o the passage of a tariff bill constructed
" Republicans after a reasonable time
lad been given to debate
No other questions were discussed.
THE SPEAKERS.
The speakers were Senators Frye. Hale.
'ritchard Hoar, Cullom, Chandler. Platt
f Connecticut. Aldrich and Carter. The
after gentleman gave every evidence
f working in perfect harmony with his
republican associates, regardless of his
for silver. He advised the
aucuS that there was no need to hurry
n this matter, and suggested. as had
everal others. that better results might
e obtained by first aScertaining what
Mr.. Platt of New York did not attend.
Mr. Hanna and Mr.. Foraker. 10,
Tere present and participated in the pro
eedings only as intensely interested
pectators. Neither of them addressed
he caucus
Turkish Consul Indicted.
Do~+o,, nF,rob The GRAND ir,rxv 70 |