New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-31
SENATE REORGANIZAIION.
REPUBLICANS WILL ATTEMPT TO FILL
COMMITTEE VACANCIES.
THE CAUCUS YIELDS TO THE APPEALS OF THE
NEW MEMBERs-A PERPLEXING PROBLEM

THE CAUCUS YIELDS TO THE APPEALS OF THE
NEW MEMBERs-A PERPLEXING PROBLEM
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNEl
Washington, March 30-The Republican Sena-
toriaI caucus wrestled again to-day for couple OF
hours with the vexed question OF filling the Vacah-
ces in the Senate committees. finally reaching the
conclusion that at least n formal effort should be
made at reorganization during the present session.
The embarrassments Of the situation have been
kecnly felt for time Not only are several I'M
portant committees those on Privileges and Flee
tions and on the Judiciary among them, seriously
impeded in their work by loss Of membership but
the dozen or more new Senators who took their
seats on March 1 have so far received no assign
ments whatever and are wholly deprived OF COM
mittee privileges influence and patronage. The Re-
publican Steering Co:lmittee has made several ef-
forts to arrive understanding with the regu-
lar Democratic opposition by which the vacancies
may be filed in such n manner as to give 10 the
Republican plurality the same measure OF control
as II exercised in the last Congress.
Tho Democratic Steering Committee, under Sena-
tor Germans leadership. has contended that In fill
ing the existing committee vacancies Republicans
should succeed Republicans. Democrats Democrats
and Popusts Populiss. BY this scheme the COM
mittce places vacated on March by Democrats of
all shades OF opinion would go TO the silver wing Of
the party, while from the vacancies naturally fall
Ing to the Republicans a responsible majority
assignments would have to be made TO both Popu-
lists and members of ;he silver party The Repub-
lican managers do not 10 assume responsibility
for legislation In the senate unless they control
the committees and they have steadily refused to
accept the scheme OF distribution suggested by Mr.
German
On the other hand. they realize that they have
not votes enough 10 force a Encouragement against
the wishes OF the combined opposition. Even with
the active assistance II Senator Kyle. Of South
DAKOTA the total Republican vote still falls one
short of a majority, and oven II "A Republican Sen
ator can be elected In Kentucky the forces behind
the proposed committee reorganization will be able
President. only until the Florida Legislature sends
a Democrat to Washington to fill one Of the exist
ing vacancies.
The more conservative Republican Senators have
been disinclined to bring struggle over the or
ganizatIOn Of the committees. which will inevitably
"A more or less active coalition In their opinion II
would be the better policy to postpone the question
Of reorganization until after the Tariff bill has
been disposed Of. but the desire the part Of the
newcomers the Senate to obtain that recognition
and influence to which they are properly entitled
to-day. after frank ana good-natured appeal from
Senator Mason. who spoke for the younger Gle
ment. decided to take steps at least TO show that
the responsibility for the present state OF legls-
lativc ineiciency and deadlock does not lie at its
door
directed to appoint committee committees.
which is 10 assign the vacant places to the best
advantage possible and then report the rearranRe-
ment to the caucus. with whose approval II Is
subsequently to be submitted to the Senate. Mr..
Allison will announce his committee in day or