The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-12-04
CONGRESS Has ASSEMBLED.
Action of the Democratic Caucus
Outline of Democratic Policy.

Washington, Dec. 2.-At last Con-
gress is in session. Promptly at noon
today the gavels of Senator Frye, the
new president of the Senate, and Of
Alexander III. Dowell, Clerk of the
House called those bodies to order and
the opening session of the Fifty-Sev
enth Congress was thereby inaugu
rated. In the Senate Senator Hanna
was promptly recognized by the Chair
man and, in e few we'll chosen words,
Informed his colleagues of the death
of President Mckinley and moved ad-
journment out of respect to the deceas-
ed. The motion carried unanimously.
In the House the members were
sworn in, the Speaker, Gen. Henderson
and the other officers elected, seats
chosen by lot, with the exception of
that of ex-speaker, Galusha a. Grow,
who in accordance with precedent, was
permitted to choose his seat before the
lottery commenced. As soon as Speak
er Henderson had taken possession of
the chair he recognized Representative
Grosvenor OF Ohio who formally an
nounced the death of the late Presi-
dent and moved that the House ad-
journ out of respect to the dead until
Tuesday, his motion, of course, carry
ing unanimously.
The democratic minority, which
completed it's organization in caucus
on Saturday, though small in numbers
is prepared for vigorous action and
strenuous opposition to the extrava-
CANT expenditures of public funds
which is characteristic of the republi-
cans when in control of both Congress
sional chambers.
Representative Richardson, of Ten
nessee, was nominated for the speak
ership, a purely complimentary nomi-
nation but one that carries with 1T the
leadership of the democratic forces in
the current Congress.
Republican majorities in both House
and Senate are too large to permit Of
the democrats taking the initiative in
the introduction of needed legislation
but they will presistently and consist
emily urge the reduction of the tariff,
at least in SO far as its provisions are
prohibitive, whether they see that
such reduction will be most surely ac-
complished by the ratification of
reciprocity treaties or by change Of
the tariff schedules.
A constant effort at retrenchment IN
expenditures and the curtailment of
extravagant appropriations will be
exerted and it is hoped that unity of
action under the direction OF an able
leader may accomplished much along
these lines.
Legislation calculated to control or
suppress the trusts will be demanded
by the democrats and the anti trust
measure, which the republicans buried
in a Senate Committee last session,
will be resuscitated and many republi-
cans congressman will be placed in a
position where they will be compelled
to vote for it or absolutely stultify
themselves and violate the pledges
which they made in the recent cam
paign. The democrats realize that
small as may be their numbers, they
have the American people back of
them in their fight on the trusts and
they will leave no stone unturned .in
their efforts to force the republican
majorities to heed the peoples wish.
At the democratic caucus held Satur-
day morning, after Mr.. Richardson
had been nominated for speaker, Mr..
Kerr, Of Pennsylvania for clerk, etc..
a number of resolutions were present
ed and eventually referred to COM
mittee which was instructed to report
to caucus to be held On January
10th. The resolutions included a con-
demnation of the highly protective
features of the tariff, a condemnation
of the trusts, and of all legislation
which enabled American manufac
turers to sell to foreign producers more
cheaplv than to American consumers:
an expression favoring Just and
generous treatment of Porto Rico and
Cuba. and an expression of opposition
to the ship subsidy bill as presented
at the last session, and to all measures
designed to use the public funds for
the benefit Of private interests.
They also expressed determination
to insist on the sacred force of the
fundamental American rule Of demo-
cratic self-government" and opposi-
tion to any colonial form Of govern
ment. Other resolutions provided for
the internal government of the demo
cratic minority: condemned the solici-
tation of patronage from the admins
tration and opposed any change in the
existing standards of value the latter
resolution being favored by Eastern
and opposed by Western democrats.
At the republican caucus which was
held on Saturday afternoon and which
was attended by one hundred and
forty-six members, the regular slate.
as previously outlined in these letters
was nominated.