The semi-weekly messenger., 1897-03-12

Republican Senators Hold Caucus-They
Do Not Know How They Stand In That
BOdy-They Decide to Go Slowly.

Republican Senators Hold a Caucus-They
Do Not Know How They Stand In That
Body-They Decide to Go Slowly.
Washington March 6.-The first eau
Gus Of the senate of the Fifty-fifth con-
gress, was held this afternoon. 1t was
not productive of results. After dis
cussion of one hour and half, during
which Senator Allison, of Iowa, was
made the caucus chairman, and Senator
Wilson of Washington, reelected eau
Gus secretary, a resolution was adopt
ed authorizing the chairman to appoint
a committee of seven of which he, him.
self. is to be the head. This committee
is known as the committee on the SIT
uatiOn."
The discussion this afternoon, while
largely informal in character, developed
the fact that the republicans are not
agreed as to where they stand, or now
they will stand, when the membership
of the senate is completed by the cleo
ton of senators to fill existing Vacan-
cies in Oregon and Kentucky.
Senator Aldrich, a member or the
steering committee of the last senate,
started the discussion with the state
ment that the caucus should decide
whether it would at this time appoint
a committe to fill the vacancies in the
senate committees, or whether it would
appoint a politictl committee similar to
the steering committee of the last ses-
sion Senator Aldrich, who had given
the situation in the senate very careful
consideration, was inclined to go slow,
and suggested that it would be wise
for the republicans to know their
strength before asserting 1T. This sug-
gestion appeareu to meet with the COM
mendation of the other leaders In the
senate.
hot fhn
have a majority in the senate. with the
casting vote Of the vice president. He
asserted that republican would be
sent from each Of the states or oregon
and Kentucky. Inasmuch as this
makes a total Of but forty-four votes,
and forty-five are necessary to tie the
senate on full vote. Senator Proctor
was asked where he proposed to get
that one vote. He evaded the question,
and the conversation became general.
It is said that no names were mention
ed, but the intimation was very strong
ly conveyed that Senator Kyle would
supply that vote. Senator Kyle is the
populst recently reelected from South
Dakota by the solid republican vote,
after the greater part Of his own party
had forsaken him. Should he vote with
the republicans, and should they get
two votes from Kentucky and Oregon,
Vice President Hobart would be in
position to cast the deciding vote on
all contested questions.
The action of Governor Bradley, of
Kentucky, in appointing Mr.. Wood to
succeed Mr.. Blackburn was commented
upon. 1t was conceded that this ap-
pOintment would be contested and that
the credentials of Mr.. Wood would be
sent to the committee on privileges and
elections, where a fight against him Will
be inaugurated. The decision of the
senate in the Mantle case was also al
luded 20, and the predictions made that
in view of this decision Mr.. Wood would
hardly be permitted to take his seat
Senator HOar took the ground that
the Kentucky case was controlled by
the decision in the Blair and Bell cases
from New Hampshire, a decision which,
he observed parenthetically, ought to
have been respected in the considera-
tion of the Mantle case. For this rea-
son it was believed by many that no
senator from Kentucky would be per-
mitted to take his seat until elected by
the legislature. The Oregon case also
came in for some discussion, Senator
Proctor making the statement that the
governor Of that state would also ap-
point q senator.
In view of all these facts it was
agreed that it would be the part of
wisdom to move slowly, and a resolu-
tion offered by Senator Cullom, and
modified at the suggestion of Senator
Hoar, was agreed to, providing for the
committee heretofore indicated. This
committe will confer with the demo-
cratic leaders in an endeavor to ascer-
tain the "situation," and will report to
another caucus, which will be held Tues
day.