The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-06
Caucus of Republican Members OF the
House at which the Financial
Bill Was Discussed.
NO AGREEMENT REACHED
THE MEASURE EXPLAINED AT
LENGTH BY MIR. OvERsTREET.
Another Meeting to BE Held To-Day
Order Issued for Reduction OF
Military Force I'm Cuba.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

/ Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Not a word. was
| said at the Republican senatorial caucus
| this afternoon about the reorganization OF
| any part of the Senate machinery, except
| ing the committees. A committee of nine
| was appointed to fix up. the Republican
slate, and when this work is completed
| Senator Allison. on behalf of the majority.
| will confer with Senator Pettigrew, rep
| resenting the Populists and free silver Re
publicans, and Cockrell, representing the
straight out Democrats, and then complete
| the work.
The retention of Colonel r. j. Bright.
F., sergeant-at-arms, is still undetermined in
a measure. The senior Republican group
| hesitates to carry through its plan OF
| keeping him in Office for fear of the storm
which that action would arouse among the
party workers, though there is no disput-
| ing the fact that there is a desire among
the older senator's to retain him.
A report which cannot yet be confirmed
| Is in circulation to the effect that Thomas
II. Mckee, of Indianapolis. journal clerk OF
the House. is TO be dropped and his place
| filed by Harry II. Smith. who had that
position for many years.
Representative Kleberg has introduced
bill which provides for the strengthening
OF the Interstate-commerce Commission all
along the line. 1t amends the old law so
| as to include as common carriers. railway
| and express companies. sleeping car COM
panies and all other companies operating
cars or vessels for passengers and freight.
| Ii gives the Interstate commerce Commits
| sion the power TO fix rates, compel inter
| state shipments by connecting lines, clas-
| sites freight, enforces system OF public
accounting, provides that common carriers
| shall not charge more or as much for
| short haul than for long haul in the same
| direction, unless authorized by the COM
| mission, and then only I'm special cases,
where hardships would make 1t necessary,
| declares all rebates and determinations
unlawful, makes the orders of the commits
sion self enforcing unless enjoined within
reasonable time upon constitutional or legal
| grounds, and makes the procedure such
| as to avoid unnecessary delays. The bill
is In line with the recommendations Of the
Interstate-commerce Commission and en-
braces every substantial reform in the
way of the control of interstate traffic.
1t Is the opinion of Mr.. Kleberg that III
its principal features are enacted into law
nopoly and restore equal distribution Of
wealth among the citizens and different
| sections of the country"
A caucus of Republican members Of the
House of Representatives was held to-
night to consider plans for advancing the
House financial bill About 160 members, In
cluding Speaker Henderson and all OF the
prominent leaders of the Republican side.
were present A pleasing preliminary oc-
Cured when Mr.. Dolliver, on behalf OF the
Iowa delegation. presented General Hen
| derson a beautiful gavel. made of wood
from one of the ships sunk by Dewey at
Manila, and mounted with solid gold.
highly wrought with representations OF
Iowa's industry and products.
Mr.. Grosvenor. Of Ohio, asked 20 be ex-
cused from serving as caucus chairman,
and Mr.. Cannon. OF Illinois. was chosen In
his place Mr.. Payne, OF New York. q
member OF the caucus committee which
framed the financial bill. explained how
the work had been done in order TO faciii-
tate the work Of Congress and give some
thing tangible early in the session. Mr..
Overstreet, OF Indiana, who presented the
bill, explained IL section by section. AS he
proceeded many questions were asked.
mainly by Messrs. Hopkins. OF Illinois;
Hepburn, Of Iowa; ifill. OF Connecticut. ana
McCleary OF Minnesota, but they were not
captious and indicated a desire 10 reach q
clear understanding. One Of the inquiries
was as 10 the effect OF continued de-
probation of silver. TO which Mr.. Over
street answered that further depreciation
would be impossible under the terms OF the
BILL as silver could be taken TO the treas
ury and exchanged for gold. thus MAIN
tanning the parity OF the metals. AS 10 the
establishment OF a gold standard, IL was
stated that while Il might not lead 10 the
actual coinage OF gold dollars. yet IL would
preserve a stable standard just as some
States keep an Official yard stick as n
standard. Mr.. Overstreet continued his ex-
plantations until II o'clock. when in re-
sponse 10 a general sentiment. the caucus
adjourned until p. m. tomorrow. This
was to permit further debate and was not
regarded as unfavorable 10 the bill as the
discussion had been uniformly favorable.
Speaker Henderson has not yet definitely
determined when the committees of the
House will be announced. whether before
or after the holidays. but the expectation is
that 1t will be just before the adjournment
for Christmas In the main II is expected
that old members will retain their former
places and II this is observed there viii be
the following important vacancies: Ways
and means. three Republicans; appropria-
tions. one Republican and one Democrat.
judiciary. fouf Republicans and one Demo-
crat; banking and currency. four Republic