The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-26
THEY MEET IN A CAUCUS
And Declare the Party Platform Here.
tofore Made Binding.
TO MEET ALL IssUEs,wITH SOLID FFONT
The Caucus Adops Resolution Declaring
Arizona, Oklahoma andl New Mexico
Entitled 10 Statehood, Pledg-
ing Aid 10 Secure It.
(By the Associated Press.)

tiS WV W ~NNNi~ ~
(By the Associated Press)
Washington D. c., Jan. 24.-The Dep&
ocratic members of the House of Repre-
sentatives met in caucus in the Hall of
the House at o'clock this evening and
after a short but spirited contest adopt
ed resolutions declaring that they were
without power to promulgate platform
of principles for the party, owing to
the binding character of the party plat
form heretofore regularly made at ma
tional convention.
! The caucus was the outgrowth of ami
mated discussion among Democratic
members ever since the present session
! of Congress began, the chief issue being
as to the extent to which the Kansas
iCity platform should be re-affirmed or
should be superseded by new declara-
tion of policy. The plan of an entirely
/ new declaration took form early in the
session in resolutions by Representative
| Mcclellan, of New York, setting forth
| numerous planks, but omitting the finan-
cial declaratio of the Kansas City plat
! form Mr.. Fitzgerald, of New York also
!
any interference with the existing stand
ard of values On the other hand, Rep
sentative Ball, of Texas, proposed
specific affirmation of the Kansas City
platform. These and several other
resolutions of policy were referred to
special committee of twelve leading
Democratic members, headed by Repre-
sentative Richardson, of Tennessee, the
Democratic floor leader. 1t was to re-
ceive the report of this committee that
the caucus of tonight was held.
The interest taken was shown in the
large attendance, 139 Democrats out of
the total of 153 being present. Repre-
sentative Hay, of Virginia, occupied the
chair, and by his rulings endeavored TO
alay the friction which has occurred at
times during the discussion. Mr.. Rich
ardson presented the majority report,
concurred in by all of the members OF
the special committee except Mr.. Henry.
1t rected the work of the committee and
closed with the following recommended
tion:
I'VE are of opinion that as the repre-
s. natives of our various constituencies
and as members of the caucus, made up
of such representatives VIC have no pow
er or authority to construct or promul-
gate a platform of principles Tor our
party; that we cannot increase or mini
nizc the binding effect of platforms of
the party heretofore regularly made. and
adopted by the people in convention as
sembled for that purpose.
THAT in the House of which we arc
members. should vigorously and ag-
grcssively battle for Democratic princ-
pies and with equal vigor and aggres-
siveness We should oppose everything
contrary. in substance or method to
those principles, and should meet each
question as it arises with full con
ference and a solid and undivided
'front.'.
The minority report of Mr. Henry.
Texas. proposed the following dcclara-
tion in place OF the Mcclellan and Fitz-
gerald resolutions, heretofore referred
to:
1T is nol within the province of
Democratic caucus to promulgatc or re-
verse Democratic platform, but it is
the duty of every Democratic rcprcscn-
tative to adhere to the national Demo-
cratic platform until the succeeding con-
yention adopts another platform
Mr. Horny also proposed that the
caucus action should govern every repre-
sentative when the Same accorded with
the declarat tions of the last national
4 platform.
( The vote was taken first on Mr.. Hen
rys minority propositions and they were
defeated by a vote of II to %. The ma
iority declaration then was adopted with
, out dissent.
Before the vote was taken several
short speeches we're made on the two
propositions The debate lasted less
than an hour.
The Fitzgerald, McClelland and other
| resolutions were laid on the table thus
leaving the majority declaration as the
{ unanimous sense Of the Democratic mem
Y bers of the House.
' The caucus also adopted the follow
ing:
: Resolved that the Territories Of Ari-
2 zona, Oklahoma and New Mexico arc en-
. titled to Statehood and should be ad-
2 mitted to the Union on equal footing
t with the balance of the States and We
pledge the support of tho Democrats m
? the House of Representatives to such
f bill"
The Mississippi Legislature passed an
I act authorizing the appropriation Of $780,
600 for the purpose Of providing suit
] able display by Mississippi at the St.