New-York tribune., 1902-01-25

DEMOCRATS FIGHT AGAIN.
HOUSE CAUCUS DECIDES THAT IT CAN
NOT MAKE PARTY PLATFORM.
SPECIFIC REPATRIATION OF KANSAS
CITY DECLARATIONS REFUSED.

CITY DECLARATIONS REFUSED
Washington. Jan. 24-The Democratic mem
bers Of the House of Representatives met in
caucus in the hall of the House at O'Clock this
evening. and after short but spirited contest
adopted resolutions declaring that they were
without power to promulgate platform of prin-
ciples for the party. owing to the binding char
acter of the platform heretofore regularly made
at national convention The contest occurred
a substitute resolution proposed by Rep
resentative Henry. of Texas. more specifically
declaring IL TO be the duty OF every Democratic
Representative to adhere to the Democratic ma
tional platform until another convention adopts
a
The caucus was the outgrowth Of animated
discussion among Democratic members ever
since the present session of Congress began, the
chief issue being as to the extent to which the
Kansas City platform should be reaffirned or
should be superseded by new declaration OF
policy. The plan for an entirely new declara-
tion took form early in the session in resolu-
tions offered by Representative Mcclellan, of
New-York setting forth numerous planks. but
omitting the financial declarations of the KAN
City platform. Mr.. Fitzgerald Of New
York. also offered resolution declaring against
any interference with the existing standard Of
values. On the other hand Representative Ball.
OF Texas. proposed a specific reaffrmation of
the Kansas City platform. These and several
other resolutions of policy were referred to a
special committee of twelve, headed by Repre-
sentative Richardson. of Tennessee the Demo-
cratic floor leader. 1t was to receive the report
of this committee that the caucus of tonight
was held.
CAUCUS LARGELY ATTENDED.
The interest taken shown in the large at
tendance, 139 Democrats out Of the total Of 153
rat Hau oSU
occupied the chair. and by his rulings
deavored to allay the friction which has occurred
in the discussions. Mr. Richardson presented
the majority report. concurred in by all the
members of the special committee. except Mr.
Henry. 1t recited the work of the committee
and closed with the following recommendation:
We are of opinion that as the representatives
of our various constituencies and as members
OF the caucus. made up or such representatives,
we have no power or authority 10 construct or
promulgate a platform of principles for our
party; that we cannot increase minimize the
binding effect of platforms OF the party hereto
fore regularly made and adopted by the people
in convention assembled for that purpose.
That in the House of which members
we should vigorously and aggressively battle for
Democratic principles, and with equal vigor and
aggressiVeness should oppose everything
contrary, in substance method, to those prin-
cpes and should meet each question as it arises
with full conference and a solid and undivided
front.
following declaration in place of the Mcclellan
and Fitzgerald resolutions;
It is not within the province of a Democratic
caucus to promulgate or reverse a Democratic
platform but II is the duty of every Democratic
Represen ntative to adhere to the national Demo-
cratic platform until the succeeding convention
adopts another platform
Mr. Henry also proposed that the caucus ac-
tion should govern every Representative when
the action accorded with the declarations OF the
last national platform ~,
The vote was taken first on Mr.. Henry
minority propositions. and they were defeated
bv a vote of II to 90. The majority declara-
ton was then adopted without dissent
RICHARDSON AS HARMONIzER
Before the vote several short speeches were
made on the two propositions. Mr. Richard
son spoke on the desirability Of getting to-
gether and of harmonizing differences This
was the only speech for the majority PROPOSE
ton as il was deemed desirable to avoid long
discussion Messrs. Wheeler. of Kentucky. and
Burleson and Henry. of Texas. supported the
minority plan urging that the Kansas City
platform should be specifically reafnrmed as the
policy Of the party until the next platform was
made. The debate lasted less than an hour.
The FITZGERALD, Mcclellan and other resolu-
tions were laid on the table. thus leaving the
majority declaration as the unanimous sense OF
the Democratic members of the ouse.
The caucus also adopted the following:
Resolved That the Territories of Arizona,
Oklahoma and New-Mexico entitled TO State
hood and should be admitted to the Union on
equal footing with the balance of the States.
and we pledge the support Of the Democrats in
the House of Representatives to such Dill