The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-11
DEMANDING THE SPOILS
Republican Senators in Caucus De-
termine TO Change Officials.
The Older Members Unable IL Con-
Latter Want Glenn sweep-Nr.
wcIIington's Willingness to A.
sumo the Responsibilities of Power

The Republican senatorial caucus yes
terday took action that practically ;nsures
the reorganization of the Senate on Re
publican basis. Some Of the older Sena-
lors who favor the reelection Of Sergeant
alarms Bright. who is Democrat en-
deavored to postpone any action that
tended TO weaken the tenure of Office oil
that official but they were unable TO curo
the Impetuosity OF the younger Senators
and those who are bitter partisans. Such
men as Mason. Gallinger, and Wellington
forced the subject from the outset ana IN
sisted upon knowing whether Republicans
we're interesting themselves in scheme
locking to the retention of Colonel Brlgh'
in his office.
This enquiry received a negative reply
although Mr. Fairbanks, who has been
one of Colonel Bright's warmest support
ers urged that there is no need for undue
haste. A number OF other Senators fav-
ored a delay because they hope to bring
forward a candidate for Secretary of the
Senate TO defeat James A Clarkson. who
has been generally understood to be slated
for the position The Republican candi-
date has not yet been selected.
Messrs Gallinger, Wellington. and
Mason gave the caucus TO understand thai
unless there is to be a chenge in both the
office of Secretary of the Senate and IN
that of Sergeant alarms, no change al All
will be made. Hr. Wellington declared
that he is a Republican who believes la
assuming the responsibilities that belong
TO the party and to the Senate and that II
no changes should be made it would be an
admission that the party is unable to find
suitable material for these Offices. or thar
il is afraid TO assume the responsibility
that Injured with a large Republican ma
5ority in the Senate lie said that the OF
ice of Sergeant-at-A Arms is political. ana
that there is no other sentiment in IL
that the time has come TO act and that
Republicans should put men from their
own ranks in the offices that require such
confidential relations with the dominant
party.
These sentiments were endorsed by sew
eral other Senator'S. and those who have
been counselng delay were forced TO ac-
cept the situation. with the understanding
at the next caucus definite action will be
taken with the probability that nominal
lions will then be made for both offices.
Ii is said that the friends of Major Grant
of North Carolina. will support him as the
Southern candidate for Sergeant-at-Arm
Major Grant served in the Union army. and
his friends assert that the strength OF his
claim is Indicated by the fact that he was
the Republican nominee for this position
in the caucus two years ago, and only
failed of appointment because the Senate
did not vote on the subject Of reorganiza-
ion al that time
Mr. Allison, Chairman OF the caucus, was
authorized to appoint a committee to inveE-
tigate the subject Of patronage and TO de
1ermine what appointed officers in the Of
flee OF the Secretary OF the Senate shall b.
lifted Gait OF the general scheme OF patron
age and retained in their present positions
The patronage, consisting of a small army
of clerks, messengers. and laborers. will be
divided proportionally among the Senators
regardless of politics. as is done al present
The caucus adjourned to meet on Friday
OF next week.