The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-21
HOUSE DEMooRArs, oAuous.
Leader Bailey Defeated in Committing n
Party TO Caucus Rule.

Leader Bailey Defeated in Committing the
Party TO CaucuB Rule.
WAsHINGToN, June 2o.-The caucus OF Dem
ocratic members of the House was in session
four hours tonight, and adjourned until next
Monday without having accomplished any
thing.
The proceedings of the session demonstrate
only one thing. that Mr.. Bailey could not rally
to the support Of the position he had assumed
more than about a fourth of the Democratic
membership Of the House. Practically 1t was q
defeat for the young leader.
The caucus was called to discuss the propri-
ETY. and expediency of formally committing the
party to the rule of tho caucus. Mr.. Bailey hay
ing expressed great dissatisfaction at several
failures Of the party to act together and as a
unit.
The proposition did not apparently commend
itself to tho body of Democrats, for at no time
during the four hours session were there more
than sixty-threo members present, ono moro
than a majority.
MIR. Bailey opened tho proceedings by present
ing a resolution that the approval by n caucus
by q two-thlrd vote, en- all questions submitted
to 1t, except In the selection OF candidates for
office. should bind those who participated
therein to tho support Of the proposition. This
no advocated In . speech of nearly an hour in
length.
Mr.. Lewis of Warrington who had differed
c crats M on p the hi Inc TO INC en mf lefi voi Gr 1ae Doi soI.
diers in the hOldOD to vote for Congress.
gional candidates and upon tho Newlends reso.
luton for the annexation OF Hawaii, being in
Fesoiutiop-whtoh. BY tho Wy, was much mildor
the day IL would be-and gave at length the
reasons for his opposition. He proposed a sub.
ff fom Texas 5s the %h| R5S9p ss MiphS IF the bG SsetlSmi IN
favor of the following. which Mr.. McRae OF
ArksnGas offered A. an amendment to Bailey's
resolution:
pies DECLARED tH BY the last Democrauc' National "a Con.
S:ntion and tn. oon',!'ution Of the United cd
each Congressional district have tho right
i % Tf!sT ~hat their 'Ir po Sie~I ssaii be- m to maxi make p SSe
forms for and exact pledges from candidates.a and to
such right to local party self government should and
will be respected by Democratic Congressional
caucuses.
being conducted with great vigor. not to say
bitterness.
Rae. Fleming OF Georgia. Cochran OF Missouri
Allen Of Mississippi. Cummings and sulzer Of
Of Se Te Soes; en aa sn q %iTSin "a 4 Bsrtlstt o sM aeoT
Ela. Champ Clark, De Almond and Dockery Of
Missouri, and Gaines Of Tennessee.
msnt Of action until next session Of ttonsrsss
Mr., McFee also preferred delay, but. II that
could not be secured. advocated his amendment
Champ Clark favored radical measures In
dealing with deserters. declaring that Aaror
Burr'S magnificent training Of tho New Yorh
Democracy not only made Jefferson's election
possible, but gave an impetus TO Democratic
discipline that carried the'pHrty for sixty years
Now, he said, II was all frizzled out and ther'
was no such thing as discipline In the organiza
ton.
Mr.. Cummings of Now York proposed al
amendment, which ho afterward withdrew, OK
cepting from the operations of the caucul
religious questions or those which affected tn
personal honor OF members.
Mr.. Bailey, finding the sentiment Of tho caucu
favorably disposed toward tho McRae amend
ment, accepted 1t, and secured his largest Vot,
upon bis demand for tho previous question upoI
the passage OF the resolution.
This was ordered-39 to 25. Before o vot'
could DO taken upon the resolution, however
tho quorum disappeared, and only 81 votes wor,
recorded upon the resolution. 80 in the affirm
alive.
At midnight Mr.. Bailey. with much feeling
moved to adjourn until tomorrow night; dc
claring his intention of fighting the thin
to a hnish, but recognizing the futility o
continuing tho contest tonight, with a quorun
out OF sight. Objection was made to q session
then and also to one on Saturday night
Finally 1t was agreed to meet next MondA,
night, and the caucus adjourned.