The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-25
NO PLATFORM WAS MADE
HOUSE DEMOCRATS RESOLVED NOT
TO USURP PARTY's RIGHTS.
Caucus Held Last Night. hut No Pro-
mitigation Of Principles, rs
some Members Expected

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24-The Democratic
members Of the House of Representative
met IN caucus in the hall of the House at
o'clock this evening and after a short
but spirited contest adopted "A resolution
declaring that they were without power
10 prOmulgate platform Of principles for
the party owing 10 the binding character
of the party platform. heretofore regularly
made at "A national convention The con-
test occurred over subresOlutiOn proposed
by Representative Henry, OF Texas. more
specifically declaring it 10 be the duty Of
every Democratic representative to adhere
10 the national Democratic platform until
another Democratic convention adopts
new platform.
The caucus was the Outgrowth Of ami
mated discussion among Democratic mem
bers ever since the present session OF Con-
gress began, the chief issue being as TO
the extent TO which the Kansas City plat
form should be reafirmed or should be SUI
perseded by a new declaration of policy.
The plan Of an entirely new declaration
took form early in the session in resolu-
tions by Representative McClelland, Of
New York. setting forth numerous planks.
but emitting the financial declarations Of
the Kansas City platform.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of New York, also pro-
posed a resolution declaring against any
interference with the existing standard of
values. On the other hand Representative
Ball. of Texas. proposed "a specific reaf-
iirmation Of the Kansas city platform.
These and several other resolutions of pol
icy were referred 10 a special committee
of twelve leading Democratic members,
headed by Representative Richardson, of
tennessee. the Democratic floor leader II
was TO receive the report of this commit
tee that the caucus OF tonight was held.
Dir. Richardson presented the majority
report. COncuTred in by all of the members
of the special committee except Mr.. Henry.
1t reCited the work Of the committee. and
closed with the following recommends tons:
Ne are OF opinion that, as the repre-
SentdtlNeS OF our various constituencies and
as members Of the caucus made up of such
representative, We have no power
thOrlty 10 construct or prOmulgate plat
form of principles for our party; that we
cannot increase or minimize the binding eff
rect OF platforms Of the party heretofore
regularly made and adopted by the people
in convention assembled for that purpose.
That in the House OF which we are
members We should vigorously and agrees
sively battle for Democratic principles and
with equal NigOr and aggreSsiveness we
should oppose everything contrary, in sub
stance or method, TO those principles, and
should meet each question il arises with
full conference and a solid and undivided
front"
Several short speeches were made. Mr.
Richardson spoke on the desirabilty Of
getting together and OF harmOnizing differ
ences. Before adiournine the caucus also
adopted the following:
Resolved That the Territories of Ari-
zOna- Oklahoma and New Mexico are emit
tied TO statehood and should be admitted
10 the Union on equal footing with the
port of the Democrats i'm the House of
Representatives TO such a bill"