The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-28
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
TO BE SETTLED BY THE PARTl'S
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
ACTION OF THE HOUSE CAUCUS
gressmen Receives and Adopts the
Report of it's Special Committee-It
Decides That Congressman Are
Bound. by the Principles Enuncfat-
ed by the National Convention.
Rejected.

Proposition for New Declaration
Rejected.
Washington. January 24.--The demo-
cratic members Of the house OF repre-
sentatives met in caucu in the hall OF
the house at s O'Clock this vening
and after a short. but spirited contest.
adopted resolutions declaring that they
were without power to p-omulgate a
platform Of principles for the party,
owing to the binding character OF the
rarty platform heretofore regularly
made at a national 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
City platform should be re-affrmed or
should be superseded by a new declar-
anon of policy.
The plan Of an entirely new declaration
TOOL form early in the session in resolu-
Iions by Representative Mcclellan. OF
New York. setting fortH numerous
blanks. but emitting the financial dec
larations of the Kansas City platform
Mr.. Fitzgerald, OF New York, also
proposed a resolution declaring against
any interference with the existing
standard of values.
On the other hand. Representative
iIall. of Texas. ~proposedNa specific re-
affirmation of the Kansas City plat
form.
These and several other resolutions
OF policy, were referred to a special
committee of twelve leading democratic
members. headed bv Representative
Richardson. of Tennessee the demo-
cratic floor leader.
1t was to receive the reoort 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
3 the chair. and by his rulings endeavored
to allay the friction which has occurred
ct times during the discussions.
Mr.. Richardson presented the major
5ty report, incurred in by all of the
members of the special committee, ex-
.cept Mr.. Henry. 1t reCited the work of
the committee and closed with the fol-
lowing recommendation:
w are Of opinion that as the rep
r~esentatives of our various constituent
cies. and as members Of h caucus,
made up of such representatives, we
have no power or authority to construct
Or promulgate a platform OF principles
for our party; that we cannot increase
Or minimize the binding effect of plat
fnlms of the party heretofore regularly
made and adopted by the people in con-
vention assembled for that purpose.
THAI in the louise of which we are
members, we should vigorously and ag-
g~ressively battle for democratic prin-
ciples and with equal VigOr and agrees
yer we should oppose everything
contrary, in substance Or method, to
those principles. and should meet each
question as 1t arises with a full con-
Ccrence and solid and undivided front."
The minority report OF Mr.. Henry, OF
Texas. proposed the following declara-
tlon in place of the Mcclellan and
Fitzgerald resolutions. heretofore re-
yferred to:
1T is not within the province Of a
democratic caucus to promulgate or re-
verse a democratic platform. but it is
the duty of every democratic repre-
sentative to adhere to the national
democratic platform until the succeed
ing convention adopts another plat
form"
Mr.. Henry also proposed that the
caucus action should govern eve"v rep
resentatiVe when the same accorded
with the declarations of the last ma
t1cnal platform.
The vote was taken first on Mr..
Iienry's, minority propositions -
~WefS~OeIeaC0Q by d NOlc OIL Il 10 ~. Lie
majority declaration then was adopted
without dissent.
Before the vote was taken several
short speeches were made on the two
propositions. The debate lasted less
-hans an hour.
The Fitzgerald, McClelland and other
resolutions were laid on the table, thus
leaving lthe majority declaration as the
unanimous sense of the democratic
members of the house.
h caucus also adopted the follow
ing:
Resolved. That the territories OF
Arizona. Oklahoma anC New Mexico
are entitled to statehood. 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 a
bill"