The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-25
WITHOUT POWER TO
CHANGE PLATFORM
Democrats Indirectly Endorse
Kansas City Declaration.
SHORT, SPIRITED CONTEST
Caucus Also Passed Resolution Declaring the
Territories of Arizona, Oklahoma
aud New Me1ico Entitled
to Statehood.
(By Associated Press.)

.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., Jan. 2.-Tho
Democratic members of the House Of
Representatives met in caucus in the hall
of the House at S o'clock this evening,
and after u short but spirited contest
adopted resolutions declaring that they
were without power TO promulgate d
platform OF principles for the party, ow-
ing to the binding character of the party
platform heretofore regularly made a 4
( national convention.
5 The caucus was the outgrowth of ami
mated discussion among Democratic mem
berS ever since, the present. session OF
T Congress began, the chief issue being as
to the extent to which the Kansas City
platform should be reaftirmed or should
be superseded by a new declaration OF
policy. The plan of an entirely ne"
declaration took form carly in the ses-
sion in resolutions l.y Representative Nc
C1eHan, Of New York. setting forth num-
erous planks, but emitting the financial
declarations Of the Kansas City plat
form Mr. Fitzgerald, of New York. also
proposed q resolution declaring against
any interference with the existing stand
ard Of values.
On the other hand, Representative Ball,
of Texas, proposed Il specific rea1flrnlatlon
of the Kansas City platform. Ihese ana
several other resolutions or policy Were
referred 10 IL SlISClttl lOiiiiAAiI'SS "
leading Democratic members, headed by
REPRESENTATIVE Richardson. Of Tennessee
the Democratic floor leader. 1t was to
receive tho report Of this committee ,ha'
the CAUCUS of tonight was held.
LARGE ATTENDANCE
The interest taken was shown in the
large attendance. 139 Democrats out OF
the total 153 being present. Representa-
tive Hay, of Virginia, occupied the chalr,
and by his rulings c,ldeaVored to aiiay
the friction which has occurred at times
during the discussions Mr.. Richardson
presented the majority report, concurred
in by all Of the members of the special
committee except NIr. Henry. 1t recited
the work of the committee, ana closed
with the following recommendation:
..Ne are of opinion that as the repre-
sentatiyes of our various constituencies
we have no power or authority te con-
struct or promulgate q platform OF prlh--
ciples for our party: that we cannot IN
crease or minimize the binding effect OF
platforms of the party heretofore regu-
larIy made and adopted by the people II
convention assembled for that purpose.
.,rhat in the House, of which we are
members we should vigorously and aS-
cress;ycly battle for Democratic prlnci-
pies, and with equal Eisor and aSSfe5-
sivcness VIC should oppose everything con-
traryin substance or method to those prin-
ciples. and should meet each question as
it arises with Il full confidence and a
solid and undivided front.
MINORITY REPORT.
Tho minority report of Mr. Henry, OF
Texas. proposed the following decl;ra-
tiou in place of the Mcclellan and Fltz-
gerald resolutions. heretofore referred to-
SIT is not within the province OF Dem
ocratic caucus to promulgate or reverse
a Democratic platform, but it is the duty
of every Democratic representative 10
adhere to the national Democratic plat
form until the succeeding convention
adopts another platform.
Mr.. Henry also proposed that the eau
Gus action should govern every repre-
sentative when the same accorded with
the declarations OF the last natoiiai
platform.
rvs minority propositions and they were
defeated by9 a vote of II to 81. The ma
ioritv declarat ton then was adopted with
out dissent.
DESERVE STATEHOOD
Before the vote was taken several
short speeches were made on the two
propositions The debate lasted less
than an hour
The FITZGERALD. Mcclellan and other
resolutions were laid on the table. thus
leaving the najority declaration as the
unanimous. sense of the Democratic mem
bers of the House.
The caucus also adopted the following:
..Resolyed, That the Territories of Ari-
zolla, Oklahoma and New Mexico are
entitled to statehood. and should be adj
| n1itted to the Union on equal footing
| with the balance Of the States and we
pledge the support OF the Democrats in
the House of Represents tives to such a
BILL.
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