The sun., 1901-12-30
THE DEMOCRATS ALL AT SEA.
CAUCUS on JAN. 10 TO DETER
NINE A LINE OF POLICY.

Indications That Nothing win he Done
and That the Party VIII Go Through
This Congress with the Same Negative
Policy II Had I'm the Last Congress.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2o-Although the
caucus OF the Democratic party In the
House Of Representatives, for the purpose
Of discussing and determining line OF
policy to DO pursued In the Fnty-seventh
Con ngress, II called for Jan. 10 no one takes
the matter seriously. As far as surface
indications testify the party will go through
this Congress In the sane happy-Ro-lucky
style that characterized II In the last one.
Ever since the tariff and free silver issues
became prominent In the politics OF the
country there has been a strong minority
of the Democrats In tho House who have
not sympathized with their colleagues
upon these propositions. Generally they
came from New England and New York,
but on the tariff question, at least 20 far as
Il affected sugar, the Louisiana delegation
have been supporters Of Republican sched-
ules. Many Democrats believe with Cen.
Hancock, their Presidential candidate In
1880, that the tariff issue is local question.
so that detection from party sentiment
on that matter was attended with no ran
corous feeling. But the free silver question
evoked much heartburning and personal
attack and recrimlnation.
To the disorganization attendant upon
the diverse views regarding silver has
been added within the past two or three
years. the shouting about 'nilitartsm'
and imperialism growing out OF tfe
Spanish war and its consequences. It
was over this question Of miftarism that
the great body Of the Fifty-sixth Congress
In the House. OF all political Affiliations,
rebelled against their leaders and refused
TO follow. showing that when concrete
case was presented for confederation there
was little or no difference OF real feeling
between parties, whatever might be the
nature OF partisan cries. The Judiciary
Committee, IL will be remembered, ro-
ported that by accepting commission
as Ma jor- General In the army, Cen Joe
tive from the Eighth district OF Alabama.
Speaker Henderson adopted the report
In his treatment OF MIR. Wheeler, refusing
to recognize him. despite several Efforts
to attract the Chairs attention. Repro
sentative Bailey Of Texas, the then Demo-
cratic leader on the floor, took the same
view of the case as did the Speaker lone
of the few occasions when they did agree),
and sought to give effect to the Judiciary
Committee's finding, or at least TO array
mis- party in support OF his effort to vindicste
the Constitution. But the rank and file
Of Republicans and Democrats alike re-
fused TO follow their leaders, and no action
was taken Oh the report. IL was this failure
TO secure the adherence Of his political
associates which Id Mr.. Bailey TO announce
that he would not again seek his party's
nomination for Speaker The approach.
ing close OF Senator Chiltons term and
the contest for the succession gave Mr..
Bailey other matters to engage his atten-
tion with more suocess.
Since that time there has been no leader
ship Of the minority In the House worthy
Of the name. Probably that is due TO
the fact that successful leadership Is not
possible under present conditions. The
party does not afford an opposition that Is
interestingly only invites and receives
the good natured contempt Of the majority.
In the recent debate on the Philippine tariff
and revenue bill, an agreement was made
IN the open House by unanimous consent
TO limit the debate TO nine hours. two days
eral Democrats, notably John Wesley
Gaines Of Tennessee. expressed their dis
sat isfaction. because the arrangement gave
them no opportunity To present their views;
a trip to the Philippines and he found no
vent Mr.. DE Almond Of Missouri was
more fortunate. His name has been men
toned in the past as a possible candidate
Tor speaker, ana, AitihIukn he neNer eNeii
got into the also ran class. II was de-
cided 10 give him a chance to announce
the Democratic policy OF 'scuttling In
the islands.
Mr.. Gaines's criticism Of Mr.. Richardson.
his colleague and leader. for his failure
20 protect the right Of the minority, has
deeply grisved Mr.. Sims, the only Tennes,
see Representative remaining at the capital
during the holiday recess, who expresses
the hope that there will be a cessation of
hostilities, for IL Is bad TO have such a
break in the delegation
The caucus on Jan 10 will be an adjourned
session of that Of Nov. 80, when the Demo
Gratis met TO nominate their candidates
for House officials. Al that meeting a
hubbub was raised by the Introduction
Of a set u resolutions or declarations of
party policy by Nr Mcclellan Of New York.
which we're poPnlarl supposed 70 fepress'I'
tho views Of Mr. Croker. and Ia oonse-
quenoe we're resented. The fiery Mr.
fitzgerald Of Brooklyn further proposed
a declaration against any Interference with
the existing gold standard
When IexAs. In the person 81 Mr. Bel
got q chance she IIopossd a. sub-,l, ute ute
wrr. sl finally referred 70 committee 81
twelve, With Nj. kichaIdson a. Chairman
g. tvpot to the 0auC,s Ola Jan. 10 No me. 4
trg 0f this COMMITTEES hAs ys% Des-n held
~ Kerry q T~sAs ono ~ rs momtsis
said yesterday that In erT-c,sd h would
mssf sous ttus nrtt Nek t-'ore the date
q th. saucus hrithef IA. nor ANY One I
sr,siAi D-nDaais ~ho have -tpferss-i
then sslver ~as at ell .ntliu,lAsiic oNsf the
Dutluua Ous - them SAID that "a l,is Opin.
tH G,ahlnE would ooins - the uaucus
li1ai 90 y'i ths li-in"qatr pafiy Va tbs
Hou- Nas ltkr tis late Amontsd NJ tolsi
u Alahaua, d did no, know '~lnie " vac
al a. iiutsabilitlos --'oin a. isNuf ouutlnL'
tllos q tho negative poliry - the fMy