Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-07
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
MEMBERS or THE SENATE MEET
AND TALK, WITHOUT RESULT.
IT IS AGREED TO MOVE SLOWLY.
IL is Relieved, However, That, With
Hobart, the Republicans VIII Have
Majority-Eyle Counted On
Kentucky Case.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March 6.-The
first caucus Of the Senate OF the Fifty
fifth Congress was held this afternoon.
II was not productive OF results. After
a discussion of one hour and a half,
during which Senator Allison, OF Iowa.
was made the caucus chairman, and
Senator Wilson, Of Washington, re-
eecting 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 committee on
the situation.
The discussion this afternoon, while
largely informal In character, developed
the fact that the Republicans are not
agreed as TO where they stand, or how
they will stand when the membership
Of the Senate is completed by the election
of senators TO fiji the existing vacancies
in Oregon and Kentucky.
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 a COM
mittee to fill the vacancies in the Sem
ate committees, or whether II would APP
point a political committee similar to the
Steering Committee of the last session
Senator Aldrich, who had given the stu
alton in the Senate very careful con-
siGeration, was inclined to go slow, and
suggested that it would be wise for the
Republicans to know their strength be-
fore asserting 1t. This suggestion APP
peated 10 meet with the commentator
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
casting vote of the Nice-Pres.dent. lie
asserted that a Republican would be sent
from each of the States Of Oregon and
Kentucky Inasmuch as this makes
total of but forty-four votes, and forty
five are necessary TO tie the Senate on
full vote. Mr. Proctor was asked where
ne proposed 10 get that one vote. MT.
Proctor evaded the question, and the
conversation became general. 1t Is SAID
that no names were mentioned, but the
animation was very strongly conveyed
hat Mr.. Kyle would supply that vote.
Mr.. Kyle is the POpulist recently re-
lected 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
hould they get the two votes from Ken
lucky and Oregon. Vice-President Hobart
would be I'm a position to cast the de-
cidng vote on all contested questions.
THE KENTUCKY CASE.
The action Of Governor Bradley. OF
Kentucky, in appointing Mr. Wood 10
succeed Mr. Blackburn. was commented
upon. 1t was conceded that this APP
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 would be inaugurated. The decision
OF the Senate in the Mantle case was
also alluded 10. and the prediction 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, parenthetcally, ought to
have been respected in the considera-
ton Of the Mantle case For this rea-
son ii was believed by many that no
senator from kentucky would be per-
mitted 10 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 APP !
point a senator.
In view of all these facts IL was agreed /
that it would be the part Of wis /
dom to move slowly. and resolution, /
offered by Mr. Cullom, and modified at /
the suggestion Of Mr.. Hoar was agreed |
TO- providing for the committee here !
confer with the Democratic leaders in /
an endeavor to ascertain the situation
and will report TO another caucus, which I.
will be held Tuesday.
Senator Platt, OF Connecticut, suggest !
I'd that the conditions in the Senate |
we're such that a political advisory com |
nittee was absolutely essential, and /
temporarily at least, the duties Of the !
DID steering committee will be per- /
formed by the committee which Mr.. Al |
ison was authorized 70 appoint
Mr.. Platt's suggestion doubtless grew !
,ut of a rumor that has been going the |
rounds for several days-that the Demo- !
rats. both sound-money and silver, in |
tended to combine with the silver Re /
)ublicans and Populists In an attempt |
20 capture the committees and organiza-
ion Of the Senate. This alleged COM
)ination was not referred to this after
loon in the specific language, but was I
limited al i'm the numerous references I'd |
existing conditions" 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 /
@ the passage of a tariff bill constructed /
~ Republicans, after a reasonable time |
,ad been given TO debate. No other
uestions were discussed. The speakers /
we're Senator's Frye Hale, Pritchard,
Ioar. Cullom Chandler; Plat, OF Con-
lecticut; Aldrich, and Carter. The last
FAMED gentleman gave every evidence 1
If working I'm perfect harmony with his
2enublican associates, regardless Of his
for silver. He advised the
.aucus that there was no need 10 hurry
n this matter, and suggested. as had
everal others, that better results might
re obtained by first ascertaining what
he exact situation in the Senate was.
,Ir. Plat. Of New York. did not attend.
Mr.. Hanna and Mr.. Foraker, OF Ohio,
we're present, but participated In the
,roceedings only as intensely Interested
nectators. Neither OF them addressed
ne caucus.
II is probable that after Mr.. Allison's
ommittee have had a conference with
he Democratic Steering Committee, a
democratic caucus will be held.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.