The Washington times., 1901-11-30
LEADERS HOLD
CAUCUS TODAY.
Both Parties to Meet to
Outline Their Plans.
HARMONY BETWEEN REPUBLICANS.
Henderson to Be Renominated-
Reed Rules Likely to Prevail
Tariff Revision - Four Small
Plums to Quiet the Minority.

The prologue to the Congressional
drama which begins at the Capitol at
noon on Monday will be enacted today
The majority and the minority parties will
hold caucuses. nominate candidates for
House officers, and discuss plans and pol
icies
The Democrats. not having upor their
shoulders the burden of legislative re-
sponsibility, will meet in the Hall If Rep
resentatives at II o'clock, and their work
will be over a considerable time before
the Republicans are ready TO meet at
O'Clock. The caucus of the latter will be
love feast so far as the nominations are
concerned.
Harmony .ae keynote.
There will be ne contests of any eharac-
ter to mar the harmony of the gathering
General Henderson. who presided over -
House dl ing the Fifty-sixth Congress,
will be unanimously renOminated for
Speaker. and with him all of the officers
of the last House. Representative Payne
of New York. who nominated General
Henderson two years ago, will probably
name him this time.
With the nominations disposed Of, the
subject Of rules and party policies VIII
be taken up. 1t is very likely that tie
famous Reed rules viii be adopted, but
this Will not be done without protest
REPRESENTATIVE Hepburn of Iowa-'Un-
Gle Pete" as almost everyone knows him
will make a fight for greater lberality.
He has a considerable following in this
matter. but probably not a majority OF
the Republicans But the Republicans
want 20 have the matter settled at Their
own family gathering, so that all will
proceed smoothly on the floor OF the
House. They insist upon party disei-
pline
Tariff Revision.
The question of tariff revision, as sug-
gested by Representative Babcoek, may
rrecipitate lively discussion in the eau
Gus. If ii is presented. but there Wiz
doubtless be a tendency to steer clear
OF this political reef.
One small branch of the political plum
tree droops over on the Democratic side
of the fence. Upon it are four small
riurns which the Democrats are allowed
make nominations for all Of the ofhces.
Their ticket Will be:
For Speaker, Representative James D.
Richardson. Of Tennessee; for Sergeant
at-Arrns. E V BICokshire, of Indiana; for
Doorkeeper, H. H. Mohler, of Illinois; for
Postmaster. George L. Browning, Of Nir-
ginia: for Chaplain, the Rev. Mr.. bagly,
of Virginia.
This is the same ticket voted for by
the minority at the last session. The four
cffices allotted to the Democrats, in the
magnanimity of the majority, are the
chief page. the assistant sergeant-at
arms and two special messengers.
The Democratic Selections.
For the first two the present incum-
bents, James F. English and Col. Isaac
Hn-the irrepressible "Ike''-will be
chosen without opposition, but for the
Two positions as messengers there is an
animated contest between Ewing Bland.
a son Of the late silver Dick Bland. and
F. r. Knight, of Georgia, the present in
CuEbenJs, and c. {. Wilson, Of Kentucky.
and !. \. Browning. Of Virginia, with one
OF TWO others hoping to secure the favors.
Representative Kehoe of Kentucky
stands sponsor for MIR Wilson, backed by
the Kentucky delegation, and Representa-
tive Swanson, for Mr.. Browning, with the
support Of the Virginia members.
Binding Resolution.
This same caucus viii be asked 70 con-
slider resolutions prepared by Representa-
tive Burleson OF Texas, which viii bind
members Of the caucus to carry out its
dictum. so long as this does not contra
yene the articles of the Kansas City plat
form.
Mr.. Burleson says that this is not in
tended to perpetuate free silver as an
issue; it is only aimed at Populists, So
cIaiists, and what he calls half -Repub-
licans, who attend the Democratic eau
Gus. but do not live up to any agreement
there ratified unless il pleases them
Representative Richardson has given up
his quarters at the Metropolitan Hotel,
and the Democratic members will meet in
the minority conference between and IL
O'Clock to renew old acquaintance and
introduce new members.
Many Absentees-
There viii be many absentees in both
caucuses. but both will have majority
of their members There was heavy in
aux of members yesterday, which viii
continue today and tomorrow, and nearly
all viii be here when Congress opens on
Sicuday.