New-York tribune., 1901-12-11
A HARD CRAFT TO STEER
LIVELY RUMPUS IN THE DEMOCRAT,
SENATE CAUCUS.
FOLLOWERS BOSS" THE LEADER, AND wy
TELLER REFUSES TO HAVE HoNoss
THRUST UPON HIM
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsUNEJ
Washington. Dec. 1O.-There was a iyefu NJ,
tie rumpus in the caucus of the Democrats
steering committee of the Senate this afternoon
The affair was interesting because it iudica,.z
how hard, indeed, it is for the Democrats
brethren to dwell together in peace. HARMONY
Of course, is beyond them now, but the concern
of Republicans is for the minority to get an
such terms with another not constantly
to threaten the dignity and decorun Of the
Senate as did the scrimmage yesterday between
Tillman and McLaurin, of the great old Demo-
cratic stronghold of South Carolina.
Tine cause of to-day's rumpus was the atterrot
of Senator Jones, of Arkansas. to lead the dis
tracted hosts Of his party, and the determine
tioa of the distracted hosts not to be ed-espe-
ciaIly by Jones' who protests that ne is still
true to Bryan and regards with suspicion every
other member of his party When the Ne
braskan the undisputed boss Of his party
he had the now beleaguered Arkansas states
man made chairman of the Senate Democrats
steering committee. place of commanding in
fuence when the followers want to follow, but
one full OF woe and humiliation when the fol-
lowers take it into their heads to boss the leader
Senator Jones was made to realize this fact
keenly to-day, when he tried to run the steer
ing committee to suit himself. Without confer
ring with anybody but himself he called eau
Gus Of the committee for a purpose which he
scornfully refused to reveal TO any except a
select few on his side of the chamber. With
great urgency and mystery, he invited Senator
Teller, of Colorado. TO attend the caucus. Now,
while Mr.. Teller sits uneasily on the Democrats
side of the Senate. he has never been known
to authorize anybody to enroll him with the
Democratic cohorts. He still describes himself
In the Congressional Directory as a Free Silver
Republican whatever that means. since the
party by that name which once filed the planet
with noise and lamentations has been oisoanded
these many months However, the caucus nan
scarcely assembled before Senator Jones an
nounced that he had selected Senator Teller to
fill vacancy on the steering committee The
other membership. Cockreu. OF Missouri; MI
Bacon. Of Georgia; Mr.. Money. Of Mississippi;
Mr.. Martin Of Virginia, and Mr. Ra"linss or
Utah-looked at each other in blank amaze
u1ent But their amazement was nothing to
that Of Senator Teller
UNUSUAL HONOR FOR SENATOR DUBOIS.
"HoIdr' Mr. Teller is reported TO have ex'
.Isin,sd ct have met many surprises in my life,
but this is the most unexpected and ennaFrass-
ing that I have ever yet faced Inc hohof
both too great and too sudden l pray you NOT
to overwheim me thus. / have young ana
brilliant friend from the Far West VINO ought
10 he a member OF this committee for more than
one reason. Primarily. he is fitted for the grave
and responsible duties of the trust by reason Of
the fact that before he retired from the Senata
four wears ago he had been member Of the
Republican steering committee. Thus ne Is ef'
perienced in the work of steering Then again.
he is Young alert and ninble. and can do more
steering in a. minute than I could hope 70 DO IN
a month Moreover he Is a Democrat, fuH-
hedzed and eager, while I-wen. L can't tell yes
whether I am a Democrat or not / therelore
nominate for the high office that mas 1use oeen
thrust upon me the Hon. Fred Dn1ols. OF Iasno sno,
Second the motion" said MessrSr- Oacoas
Money and Rawlins. in chorus ..
Senator Jones looked glunn and furious. OF
the Senator from Colorado declines the place,
and since there seems TO be a desire IN the COM
rnittee for Senator Dubois 10 become memoer
OF il. I shall appoint him lnsteao OF oena'of
Teller"
Then Senator Jones proceeded 10 INFORM ms
collea CUES that they were treadlng on oeticdte
ground when they questioned ms au.io.s 49, ~
appoint whom he pleased TO the steering COM
mittee He wanted 1t known that the posluon
OF chairman carried with it the power ana prlVl-
lege to l all vacancies wnoH. f1a eb he o Cooled OF
bit he declared he was glad Senator DUBOIS nao
been selected by him as member OF tne mno,-
ity steering committee After tnls tne cau.Is a.
journed and the new steering committee Is eA-
pected to proceed to steer somebody somewhefs
before the session closes =,
The honor conferred upon Senator DUBOIS Is
an unusual one. He has been Deuocrat less
than a year and, as stated by senator tsne'
US ar one time member OF the Repuolican
steering committee, and was also secretary Of
the Senate Republican caucus He represents ih
every sense the new blood OF the Democracy III
the Senate.
Senator Teller's party aflliation Is stu maj
ter of doubt Had he accepted the piace ten
dered to him by Senator Jones he wouid nav
hssn forced TO enter the Democratic caucus anu
make a full confession OF faith As the cas-
now stands Mr.. Teller will continue to noeA os
himself.