Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-01-24
THE WASHINGTON LETTER.

W ANnOMN AUlAA va aNAHn- NAAAANN ANAN
far from speechless. the twelve rep
rosontatives who compose tile dem
ocratic steering COMMITTEES labored
for four weary hours in the minor
ity caucus room Of the capitol on
Friday afternoon endeavoring to
bring order ont Of chaos, but With
ont result. With all the secrecy Of
a high degree Mason, Representa-
tive Richardson, chairman of the
committee on resolutions appointed
by the democratic house caucus,
had "passed the word" to his col
leagues that a meeting would be
held promptly at noon and, while
Mr. Underwood of Alabama enter
tanned the newspaper men with one
of his inimitable stories in tine
house lobby, his eleven conferees
gained the minority room by devi-
Gus paths. SO great was the at
tempt at secrecy that ten minutes
before noon some Of the committee
denied all knowledge of the meet
ing. However, no sooner had Mr.
Richardson called the meeting to
order than the cacophonious ora
tory, so Characteristic Of a demo-
cratic Glove feast" penetrated TO
the uttermost chamber of the capi-
tol and a corps, of correspondents
thronged the corridor while ever
and anon some catapult of demo-
cratic wisdom would thunder
through the mahogany doors and be
eagerly recorded by the representa-
tives Of the press. Free silver, re-
ciprocity with Cuba, Tammanyism
and the Philippine tariff bill all con
tributed their share TO the interest
of the discussion. and the ascerbity
which predominated the original
caucus WIS rot lacking. just as the
sound nsi.ys faction promised to,
overwhelm ti.s Texas Bryanites Mr..
Henry cast a bomb into the caucus
in the shape of "a resolution declar-
ing that no democratic caucus had
the power to overthrow national
platform Immediately Represen-
tative Ball moved to substitute the
Chicago platform for the Mcclellan
resolution and again the merry war
waged fist and furious
Finally a resolution was iutroduc-
ed binding the committee to report
that in its Judgment all resolutions
should be laid on the table, it being
argued that they would be non-de-
batable and, therefore, caucus at
least superficially harmonious might
be held but sufficient votes could
not be obtained to carry it and Rep
resentative Robertson again started
the bail rolling by a resolution bind
ing the minority to oppose all recip-
rocity with Cuba. Worn out with
their labors the committee then ad-
journed every member having been
pledged by Mr. Richardson, who
imagines himself a modern Richie
lieu, to the most absolute secrecy
Another meeting will be held but in
the meantime Mr. Richardson will
work with the members individual
~ to secure harmony.
Out of courtesy to the democratic
members Of the Philippines com
mittee senator Lodge did not sub
nit the report of that committee on
the Philippine tariff bill last Thurs
day as he had intended but will pro
bably do so tomorrow. Speaking
on the subject last week the senator
told me that he believed the recon-
mendation of a 25 per cent. reduc-
ton Of the Dingley rates would
meet with the approval Of the son
ate ard that there would be bat lit
tie trouble in securing the passage
of the bill as amended. Senator
Mitchell said yesterday that he was
more than ever determined to stand
out for the so per cent reduction
embodied in his amendment as the
business men on the Pacific coast
believe that such reduction Is es-
sential to their interests.
A member Of the senate commit
tee on inter-oceanie canals said Sat
urday "The canal question is de-
eidealy up in tile air. 1t is impossi
bic at this time to predict how it
win end but I begin TO fear that
there win he no definite canal leeis-
lation this year. The Walker com
mission isaRain IN session and while
nothing definite is known it is said
that the commission win recon-
mend the Panama route Tint
would necessarily delay legislanon
very seriously. Senator Morgan
had an unsatisfactory interview
with tile president on Thursday
The senator IS firmly convinced chat
the Niearaguan ronte Is by far the
better but Mr Roosevelt does not