Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-12-13
DEFINING THE LINES.
CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS OF
THE DEMOCRATS.

Shall the National Party or the Faction Which
Aided the Republicans Rule Resolutions
introduced Were, in the Main. Sound. But
the Gold Bugs Are Aggressive and the
Matter Has Been Postponed for Decision
Till January 10th.
Last week the Democratic Repre-
sentatives held a caucus at the Ma
tional Capitol, in Washington, and
started the ball rolling, not only for
opposition to vicious Republican
legislation in the House of Repre-
sentatives during the present session
of Congress, but they engaged in the
first round of a scrap which bodies NO
end of trouble between the actual
Democrats and those Congressman
who pose as Democrats but who sup
port the single gold standard and
other vicious Republican doctrines.
There were present including Mr..
Shaforth, OF Colorado, and Mr.. New.
lands, of Nevada silverites, Isl Demo-
Gratis and eight fusionists, silverites
and populists in the House. Mr..
Nevilla and Mr.. Stark, populists oi
Nebraska, declined to enter the House
caucus.
Representative Richardson, of Ten
nessee, was designated rs the choice OF
the Democrats for Speaker of the
House. This clothes him with the
authority of floor leader for the mi
nority.
The Interesting portion of the
caucus followed, when Representative
McClelland, of New York, at the di-
rection of the New York members who
had just met prior to the assembling
OF the caucus, offered set of resolu-
tions As an expression Of the sense oil
caucus.
The first resolution on the list
called for "the removal of the op.
pressive, restrictive and often prohibi.
tive features Of the existing tariff
The resolution recites the evils of the
tariff robbery and proceeds: "Fit
and thorough relief cen be had only
by amendment of the present tariff
But we shall favor reciprocity as will
reduce, even il not altogether remove
the unfair and oppressive burden o.
the present system"
The second resolution demands that
our pledge to give Cuban independent
government be sacredly fulfilled. This
is followed by a declaration opposing
the ship subsidy graft. On the ques.
tion of Imperialism the resolution
reads:
| We shall insist on the sacred force
of the fundamental American rule oI
Democratic, self-government. What
ever protectorate over newly acquired
islands or lately conquered peoples
may be necessary for longer OF
shorter time; whatever limited sites
for naval stations may properly be re-
tanned or acquired by the United
States, we are opposed TO the incorpor'
alton into our Republic OF other lands
or the assumption Of sovereignty owe.
them except as their inhabitants may
be fitted for such self government and
except as the protection of our Con
stitution NO. less than our flag may bt
extended to them with safety to our.
selves.
ave are opposed to the establish
mont Of any colonial or other system
whereby the executive or military
power of the United States may per
manently rule masses OF men oulsid,
the sanctions and safeguards of tn,
constitution. Wherever the United
States has assumed obligations they
must, no doubt, be fully met, but will
steadfast intention at the earlies
practicable moment to accord the peo
pie of other lands now in our powe
she same right OF self-government w
claim for ourselves"
The presentation Of this resolution
precipitated q row. Mr.. Richardson
attempted to prevent the reading Of i
by a motion to refer all resolutions I,
. special committee OF IL who woult
report at q future caucus, but thi
motion was ruled out Of order pending
the reading OF the resolution. Wher
the reading was concluded Mr.. Ball, o
Texas. gave notice that he would offe
the Kansas City platform rs a substi
tute, and withdraw the report of Mr.
Fitzgerald, of New York, and Mr.. Nc
Dermott, of New Jersey, both OF whom
protested against the injection of th'
financial issue into the Democratic
councils.
eve cannot ever win," declared
Mr.. Fitzgerald, eff we do not discard
the heresy of free silver"
ave can never win," retorted Mr.
Ball, "unless men calling themselves
Democrats support the national plat
forms OF the Democratic party"
| After further sharp exchanges. Mr.
Richardson succeeded in quclling th'
disturbance by renewing his motor
to refer all resolutions to specia
committee of II, to be appointed by
the chairman of the caucus. Tht
motion prevailed.
! Mr.. Burleson, Of Texas, introduced
the following:
] Resolved, That every Repretenta