Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-12-14

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE Demo
cratic senators yesterday held their
first caucus Of the present session. Its
purpose was to consider committee as
signments, bur the occasion was more
than ordinarily Significant because of
the general attendance upon the caucus.
All the senators elected ms Democrats,
with the exception of Senator Mcl.aurin
OF South Carolina, We're present, as were
all the senators who were elected ms
Silver Republicans or PopuistS All the
independents, except Senator Teller Of
Colorado, had entered the Democratic
caucus held just before The adjournment
last March, but Senator Teller then re.
mained away. He was present, how
ticipated in the proceedings.
The caucus was called at the instance
of Senator Jones of Arkansas, who
stated that he had thought ii possible
that the new senator's might want to
make some change in the officers Of the
caucus. There was, however Il general
expression Cf satisfaction with the pres
ent officials and Senator Jones was re-
elected unanimously chairman Of the
caucus. The old committee on order of
business also was reappolnted ana the
one vacancy on that committee was
filed by the selection of Senator Dubois
of Idaho, who was the choice Of all the
western members of the caucus.
During the proceedings Senator Till
man suggested that there should be fire.
uupnt conferences and continued effort
to agree upon the main features OF all
political controversies. There was a
quite general response to this suggestion
and the opinion was fairly unanimous
that the party should present united
front Permitting no more struggling
than was absolutely necessary.
Senator Jones presented a statement
from the Republican committee Oh com
mittees, outlining its wishes as to the
committee assignments, from which it
appcared that the ltcublicnnS were
anxious to increase the Republican,
membership of several committees and
to decrease the Democratic membership
of few of the committees. The most
important change suggested by them
was that the Republicans should be al
lowed to add one member TO their side
of the committee on commerce. Willie
Democrats should agree to- surrender
one of the places Oh that committee held
by them. The committee. as now con
Slituted, includes 10 Republican MEM
brrs and I Democratic members. 1t
was decided vigorously to resist his in
novatiOn.
The Republicans also expressed de-
sire to increase the membership of tn"
committees on agriculture and census
| from 9 to / | each. the two new members
to be Republicans TO increase the COM
mittee on claims from Is to II, the Re
publicans to have s members and the
Democrats G, as against I and q rcspec-
| lively, as the committee is now CON
! stituted.
An increase is also proposed in the
committee on foreign relations. As 1t
| at present stands the committee num-
| bcrs II members. Of whom are Demo
Gratis. The proposal is to make it cnn
SlSI VI lb -. u Vi w Nhoih '''s'Ai Nv
| Republicans and Democrats. A
change was also suggested in the com
mittee on irrigation, which is ut present
composed of 6 Republican and ) Demo-
Gratis. The change, if adopted, would
| give a membership of II. only 4 of
| whom would be Democrats. The Dem
ocrats decided to oppose the proposed
| changes in the committees on claims
and irrigation.
The Republican committee suggested
no changes in the committees Oh ap-
propriati0ns finances and judiciary, but
| indicated that they will continue Sena
| tor Jones of Nevada on the committee Of
! finance. thus practically adding one to
Republican representation and taking
one from the opposition representa-
| ton.