The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-11
Which Were Robbed ofAII SembIance
of Power by Amendments.
WILL OF The MAJORITY TO RULE
Unless a Member is Previously Pledged
Has Been Instructed Differently
or Believes a Measure UncOn'
stitutional-A Meaningless
Resolution Passed 10
Keep Bailey Quiet.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 10. .-Special-The
Democratic caucus met tonight pursuant
10 adjournment IN June last and adopted
set of omasculated resolutions, whose
original object was TO bind tho members
10 the will of the majority. Amend
ments tackled on. robbed the resolutions
of AN semblance Of power, still Bailey
and his fouawers are happy. 1T was a
vote or confidence in our leader they
giecfury declared tonight
MEANINGLESS RESOLUTION.
Tho resolutions as finally adopted bind
the members OF the party who enter the
caucus to abide by the will of the ma
j1rity. provided the member has not pre-
viouslv pledged himself or been instruct
ed bv his convention TO the contrary, or
believes The proposed measure TO be un-
constitutional In other words, con-
science. the constitution, pledges. or
platform are about the only excuses
representative can offer for failure TO
vote with the majority.
AN the Virginia members except Mr.
BiXey attended the caucus. out OF lzb
members. So were present among them
number Of whom have never been con-
sidcred Bailey men.
TO KEEP PEACE.
After the caucus this evening I had
talk with "a Representative who attended.
but who dii not wish his name used for
personal reasons. He said ~ the resolu-
tions as amended had been considered in
any way binding there would undoubtedly
have been strong opposition 10 ther
adoption. but they carried no weight
and FOR tho sake of peace 1t was thought
best TO- lct them 80 through
AS far as any fight being made on
Bailey in the caucus was concerned. that
was ridiculous and he was unable 20 say
where the talk originated. some spec-
ic act and most grievous offence az
that little short OF treason. would oe
necessary To- cause or TO give an opening
FOR action against any Democrat.
TO HUMOR THEM
The whole thing summed up is that
Balleys friends have been mainly tryins
To- make believe am effort was ON foot ON
the part of bosy opposition 10 nave
the party express want OF confidence
in him. A meaningless and purposeless
resolution was offered by Bailey ana ln
view of the talk of opposition boy those
who thought the resolution utterly fool
Ssh voted for it 90 keep the Bailey folks
quiet.
Among those present were Representa-
tivcs Bailey. of Texas; Richardson, OF
Tennessee. Dcarmond and Bland, of MS
souri,: Wheeler of Alabama; Allen, OF
AUssissippi. McRae of Arkansas and
Savers. of Texas. Representative McMil-
Ian. of Tennessee. and Bankhead of Ala
bama. were not among those present.
NOTHING SENSATIONAL.
The meeting was devoid of any per
soual or Sensational features, and was de-
voted to brief discussion OF the wis
dom Of making caucus action 'inding.
s resolution to This effect he'd been in
trDduCcd hy Mr. Bailey and this pending
with ann amendment boy Mr. McHae. Of
Arkansas. THE main interest centorod
in the ability o. Mr.. Bailey and his
friends 90 pass the resolution. At the
outset Mr.. DcArm0nd made a point OF
order against the regularity of the roso-
tuition. but Chairman Richardson did not
sustain the point In order 10 test the
strength of the Bailey forces. Mr. Clardy.
OF Kentucky. moved 90 reconsider the
vote by which the resolution had been
agreed 90 at the last session. Tho mo-
tion was tabled. % to IS. thus establish
ing that the advocates OF the resolution
bad "a clear majority. The resolutions
were then adopted without a division.
They are as follows:
THE RESOLUTIONS
Resolved. That hereafter the action Of
Democratic caucus shall be binding
upon AN who participate I'm its proceed
iugs provided that no member shall be
required to vote for any bin he may
deem unconstitutional. and. provided fur
Their that iu 8l matter. except the nOmi-
nation OF officers and questions OF pro-
cedurc. no decision shall be binding un-
Jess made hy two thirds Of those voting.
Resolved That while acting I'm con-
formity 90 the principles declared by the
National Democratic Convention and
Constitution Of the United States. the
Democrats Boo each Sta.e and in each con-
grcssi0nal district have "a right 20 deter
mine for themselves in their own locality
what their policy shall be. 90 make plat
forms for and accept pledges from
their candidates ANA to instruct their
members Of Congress. and the full excr-
else OF such right OF local party self-gov-
crnmcnt should in AN cases be- respected
bv Democratic congressional caucuses."
Beyond The adoption of tho foregoing
no action was taken, and at 9 O'Clock the
caucus adjourned
NEWSPAPER STORIES
Mr. Bailey said after the caucus: 'T
have no desire To- discuss the action fur
tner than 20 say that 80 must now he
niain TO an thinking persons that the
stories Of serious divisions in the Demo
cratic party were the invention OF a few