The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-08
ANXIETY IN THE SENATE.
Suspense Over the Reorganization of
the Committees.

L
| II the Republican Senators who are
ciahoring FOR reorganization OF the
Senate committees at this session in order
that they may assume now the new honors
| to which they will be entitled instead of
waiting until next December can be paci-
fed final adjournment of the special ses-
sion of the Senate will probably take
place tomorrow. President Mckinley
says that he has no desire to have the Sem
| ate remain longer. and 1t has already been
agreed that no legislative business shall
be considered. Republican caucus will
be held probably today and the question
of committee reorganization disposed of
The leaders of the Senate are opposed
to taking action now and they will proba-
bly, have their way, but if so it will be
necessary for them to overcome great
deal of opposition from the Senators
ambitious for committee promotions. OF
course there is no object in recognizing
the committees now. as no legislation will
be considered until next winter. but the
Senators who are in line for promotion
are anxious to have the suspense ended.
The Encouragement of the Senate com
mittee lists whenever it is undertaken
will he very difficult, and the task is one
shrink. Senatorial prerogative takes the
place Of senatorial courtesy when com
mittee slate is fixed up. and the rule of
seniority of service prevails without pos
sibIiity of modification or amendment.
Any Senator who is in line for promo
ton on a committee can demand that
promotion and no way has yet been found
to deny him.
Nf s-iup
in the Senate is for each party to ap-
point a Committee on Committees. and
their slate is reporte" to the caucus and
afterward to the Senate No Senator is
applying for the position of being chair
man or member of the Committee on
Committees now, because he fears that
he might not escape with his life. The
condition with regard to the vacant
craftsmanship of Foreign Relations gives
an insight into tie whole situation. The
Senator who has the first call on the
place is Mr.. Frye. but II he accepts it he
leaves the chairmarship of Commerce
vacant, which in turn woIid fall to the
lot of Senator Mcmillan. who. however.
is Chairman of the Committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia. with no desire to re-
linquish 1t. and so on down the whole
list
To fill this one craftsmanship means to
destroy the fabric on which the list is
built. and let 1t fall like house of cards.
The Encouragement could not be accom-
plished short of two or three weeks of
hard work. in which the jealousies and
heartburninGs which are the same in the
breast of the United States Senator as in
that of the humblest citizen OF the land
would be strillingly revealed to the I'M
happy Chairman of the Committee on
Committees.
The Vice President of the United States
and presiding officer OF the Senate has
no more to do with the appointment of
committees than the page who sits out
side his -door. Therefore he only smiles
when the subject of committee reorgani-
cation is referred to, and continues to
study the rules Of the Senate and reflect
on the advice that he is receiving from
every quarter on how to preside over the
deliberations of the Senate so as to
merit the appreciation of members with
out regard to politics