New-York tribune., 1901-03-07
OPPOSITION IN DlSCORD.
SENATE MINORITY oUARRELLTNG
AMONG THEMSELVES.
JONES. OF ARKANSAS MAY BE DEPosED
FROM LEADERsHIP-ATTITUDE OF
THE pOPT-ITSTS.
TsY TFLEGRAPE To THE TRIBUNE-]

TsY TFIFGRAPE To THE TRIBUNE
Washington March 6.-After the opening ses-
sion of the new Senate yesterday the Demo
,ys,s held q caucus nominally for the purpose Of
deciding or committee appointments and the
selection II seats. It is known, however. that
the real object Of the caucus was 10 make a
count of noses SO as 20 determine the strength
~ the minority IN the Senate. and if possible 20
organize into some compact and wieldly form all
the elements of opposition 10 the majority. The
Senate rollcaU - present shows a safe working
ma ioritv Il Republicans over all possible COM
hinations, even if Delaware and Nebraska, both
IF which States have Republican legislatures
oeadlocked should continue wholly unrepre-
sented
Whether this fact caused it, or whether II is
-ast the Populists in the Senate have deliber
rtez deserted their party. IL is interesting 70
rote that ;he Democratic caucus yeserday was
attended by every man in the body who was
elected as p Populist Or with the aid Of Popu-
list votes. except Senator Teller. Of Colorado
The list comprises Dubois. Of Idaho: Patterson.
of Colorado; Allen. Of Nebraska; Heitfeld. Of
Idaho and Harris Of Kansas. Mr.. Hetfeld has
heen in the Senate four years. hut Yesterday for
the first time he openly aligned himself with
the Democrats. His new colleague, Nj Dubois,
who succeeds Mr- Shoup. Republican. entered
the Senate ten years ago a Republican. but
left the party before the close OF his term on
the silver question. and Mr., Hetfeld defeated
bim for reelection. Although Mr.. Dubois made
she race this time q Populist he avowed him
self a Democrat in a speech accepting election
81 the hands of the fusion legislature at Boise
city this winter Mr. Harris also owes his cleo
fion to the Populists of Kansas. as does Mr.
Patterson TO the Populists of Colorado. While
Mr Heitfeld declared when he entered the Dem
.oeratic caucus that he not Yet wholly pre-
pared TO embrace Democracy. still he had agreed
20 cooperate in future with that party on all
great political questions arising in the Senate.
PoPULIsTs CAUSE MUCH GOSSIP.
Naturally the action of these Populists. al
though not unexpected, has aroused good deal
az poitical speculation in Washington 1t is
being asked if their act constitutes formal dis
bandrnent Of the PopUlist party and IFS merging
with the Democratic party, are the Populist
Senators merely TO be considered as deserters?
Another feature Of interest suggested by their
conduct is it's possible bearing on the Demo-
cratic leadership in the next Presidential cam
paign 1t is known that none Of them are
enamored of the Democrats leadership in Con
gress which was forced on that party by Mr.
Bryan. who selected Mr.. Jones. Of Arkansas, for
ahe post in the Senate and Mr.. Richardson, Of
Tennessee. in the House Had the usual custom
heen followed at the meeting yesterday the
De cratic caucus would have been formally re-
organized. Instead. however. Senator Jones,
the caucus chairman, gave those who hoped for
= reorganization no opportunity even to suggest
that proceeding The Arkansas man, who is
supposed TO have been fully aware Of the wish
of many his side of the chamber TO get rid
of his titular leadership was careful 10 ask only
for the election of a secretary Of the caucus to
fl the vacancy caused by The retirement from
the Senate Of Mr.. Kenney, Of Delaware Mr..
Carmack. The new Senator from Tennessee was
elected 10 succeed Mr. KeTrrley. and then Senator
Jones promptly adjourned the caucus before
anybody could ask for the election Of a new
chairman. The Arkansas Senator will thus re-
tain the title of leader Of the Democrats with
enlarged authority also to speak for the Popu-
lists
JONES MAY BE oUsTED AS LEADER.
No attempt is made either by the dissatisfied
Populists c. disgruntled Democrats 70 conceal
rheir displeasure at Senator Jones's conduct.
A considerable group of Democrats were ready
openly 10 repudate his leadership when he laid
down" in the closing days Of the session and
permitted the Republicans 10 pass the Philip
pine and Cuban amendments TO the Army APP
propriation bill At that time Mr.. Bacon, OF
Georgia, boldly proclaimed his independence of
Jones and was generally hailed the
Democratic leader in the Senate Mr.. Bacons
followers had hoped formally TO confer the title
of leader him yesterday by electing him
chairman of the caucus, but, as before
marked Senator Jones would not give them the
much desired opportunity TO do So 1t is be-
lieved however. that they will rally their forces
before the extra session Of the Senate adjourns,
call meeting Of the caucus and oust Jones.
They do not seem 10 what effect this &C
tion would have Bryan, although il is
thought that the Nebraskan and the Arkansan
have such a perfect understanding that Mr..
Bryan would feel impelled 10 intercede for
Jones.
The Arkansas Senator was rather sharply re-
buked by the caucus declining 10 admit Senator
John p Jones. Of Nevada, 10 the fold. The
Arkansas Jones made strong plea for the
Nevada Jones who still sits on the Republican
side Of the Senate, but who ardently supported
Bryan in the last campaign. The fight on the
Nevada Jones was led by the Populists and the
new Democratic Senator'S and the Arkansas
Jones took the result greatly TO heart II is said
that he even threatened those responsible for IL
with the wrath Of Bryan.
senator Teller sent word TO the caucus by HIS
new colleague Mr.. Patterson that he would
1oln at the opening Of the next session Of Con-
gress The reason he assigned for his hesitation
- tEat he wishes 20 go back TO Colorado and tell
ms supporters of his recent conversion 10 the
DeInocracy. Presumably, therefore Senator
teler VIII not describe himself in the next Con-
sFesslohal Directory as Silver Republican
ana presumably his move into the Democrats
lamp VIII De the formal announcement of the
West. P''' an 'i7