The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-12
FIGHT BEGINS
ON COMMITTEES
Democratic Senators OPP
pose the Republican
Plans.
Tillman Advises Harmony
and Will Work fer.
Cancellation.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE Demo-
cratic Senators to-day held their first eau
Gus OF the present session, Its purpose
was TO consider committee assignments,
but the occasion was more than ordinarily
significant because of the general attend
ance upon the caucus. All the Senators
elected as Democrats with the exception
Of Senator McLaurin of South Carolina
were present, as were all the Senators
who were elected as Silver Republicans
or POpulists. All the independents except
Senator Teller Of Colorado had entered
the Democratic caucus held before adj
journment last March, but Senator Teller
then remained away. He was present,
however. at to-day's conference and par
ticipated in the proceedings.
The caucus was called at the instance
Of Senator Jones of Arkansas, who stated
he thought it possible that the new SEN
ators might want TO make some change
IN the officers Of the caucus. There was
however, a general expression of salts
faction with the present officials, and Sem
ator Jones was reelected unanimously
chairman Of the caucus. The old commit
tee on order Of business also was reap
pointed, and the one vacancy on that
committee was filled by the selection of
Senator DUBOIS Of Idaho, who was. the
caucus.
TiIIman Urges Action.
During the proceedings Senator Tillman
suggested that there should be frequent
conferences and continued effort to agree
upon the main features of all political
controversies. There was q general re-
Spouse to this suggestion, and the opin-
ion was fairly unanimous that the party
should present a united front, permitting
no more struggling than was absolutely
necessary.
Senator Jones presented a statement
from the Republican committee on COM
mittees outlining its wishes as to the
committee assignments, from which 1t ap-
peareo that the Republicans were anxious
10 increase the Republican membership
OF several committees and to decrease the
Democratic membership of a few of the
committees The most important change
should be allowed to add one member TO
their side Of the Committee on Com
merce, while the Democrats should agree
TO surrender one of the places on that
committee held by them. The committee
as now constituted includes ten Republic
bers.
It was decided to vigorously resist this
innovation. The Republicans also ex-
pressed a desire to increase the member
ship Of the Committees on Agriculture
and Census from nine TO eleven each the
two new members to be Republicans; to
increase the Committee on Claims from
thlrteen TO fourteen, the Republicans to
have eight members and the Democrats
six, as against seven and six, respective
~ as the committee is now constituted.
Democrats Oppose Changes.
An increase is also proposed in the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations. AS ii at
present stands the committee numbers
eleven members, four of whom are Demo-
Gratis. The proposal is to make it consist
Of thirteen members eight of whom shall
be Republicans and five Democrats A
Grange was also suggested in the Com
Mlttee on Irrigation, which is at present
composed of six Republicans and five
democrats The change, If adopted
would give membership of eleven, four
OF whom would be Democrats. The Dem
ocrats decided to oppose the proposed
changes in the Committees on Claims and
Irrigation.
Inc Republican committee suggested no
changes IN the committees on Appropria-.
lions, Finance and judiciary, but indi-
Gated that they will continue Senator
Jones OF Nevada on the Finance Commit
tee, thus practically adding one to the
Republican representation and taking one
from the opposition representation The
Republicans did not indicate any intention
70 take care Of Senator Wellington in the
matter OF committees, nor was any sug-
gesuon made in the caucus that the DEM
ocrats should find places for him