New-York tribune., 1902-01-09
FIGHT AVERTED FOR A TINE
CAUCUS OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS POST
PONED on ACCOUNT OF RICH
ARDSON'S ILLNESS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuxE.I


Washington Jan S-The second clash of
House Democratic factions which was scheduled
TO occur Friday night, has been postponed in
definitely by the opportune illness of Mr. Rich
ardson, the minorit- leader. 1t will be recalled
that the day before the opening of the new Con-
gress the House Democratic caucus got into
a mighty row over the question of Bryansm.
Representative Mcclellan, of New-York. and
other Eastern Democrats introduced resolutions
at that time which sought to carry their
party completely away from Bryan and
Organism by committing it to a policy that
would either wholly repudiate the last two
national platforms ignore altogether the dis
cussion in this Congress of the silver question.
These resolutions savagely attacked by
Representatives Ball and Henry. of Texas, and
other Western Democrats. who then registered
the vow in true Democratic fashion to disrupt
all semblance Of party organization in the House
if the Eastern element persisted in its attempts
to repudiate, sidetrack or ignore the peerless
Bryan his contentious AS outcome of
that dispute-or rather as a means TO the end
of preventing further warfare-the Democratic
caucus appointed committee of twelve, face
tiously known the vigilance committee, TO
consider calmly and report upon all resolutions
at caucus meeting to be held on January 10.
The factionists have been looking forward to
this meeting with interest that only Demo-
Gratis in warpaint feel, and every minority
member of the House had carefully prepared a
speech for delivery on this occasion.
Indescrbable disa ppointment. therefore in the
Democratic camp followed the announcement,
made late this afternoon that the caucus had
been Indefinitely postponed account OF the
indisposition of Mr.. Richardson Mr. Hay, OF
Virginia. is chairman of the caucus, but this
circumstance apparently had no influence on
the situation. ordinarily the minority is not
willing to acknowledge the leadership of Mr.
Richardson or anybody else, but 1t seems that
in a case like this every Democrat is eager TO
recognize Mr Richardson's right to call off
meeting of the factoniSts 1t is significant or
the feeling of bitterness in the party that neither
faction acknowledges that II indorses the action
OF Mr.. Richardson in the premises, aithousn
both sides concede his authority in TINS instance
TO postpone the caucus indefinitely.
The New Workers., like the Texans, are loud
in their protestations of an earnest desire to
fight the issue between them to a finish at the
earliest practicable date, but neither side is now
willing to assume the responsibility or insisting
on a meeting of the caucus over the queStOnapIe
dictum of Mr.. Richardson MeSsrs. Mcclellan
and Fitzgerald and other Eastern Democrats
declare with many flourishes that they will see
to 1t that the minority in the House Is not COM
mitted to the Chicago or Kansas city PLATFORM
AT this session of Congress. while all the mem
bers Of the Texas delegation are equally decided
and picturesque in their assertions that both or
these party deliVerances will be reaffirmed In
| more than one form before the House auJouIhs
for the summer vacation.
It is noteworthy, however. that the vigilance
committee" which was scheduled to meet To-
night and sft the chaff from the grain OF the
! mass of resolutions introduced at the first eau
Gus did not come together. The excuse given
! for this failure to meet is that MT. Nchardson
request for a postponement OF the caucus uhtil
| he is able ettend made a meeting tonight
| unnecessary. Thus the battle between the
| Democratic factions may be considered a draw
| up TO the present time. although II is believed
| that II will be renewed with fresh vigor and
| savagery before the session is ended