The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-07
Maryland Senator Chairman of
 Democratic Caucus
NO OPPOSITION OFFERED
The Steering Committee Is Empowered to Confer With Republicans In Re- gard to Legislation-Importa
 Vacancies to Be Filled.

Washington, March s.-The democratic senatorial caucus which met at Il O'CLOCK today, organized by electing senator German to his old position as chairman of the caucus. This Is a permanent place and assures him the occupancy or the democratic conference room, one or the the most commodious and best located rooms in the senate end of the chamber He made a brief speech in assuming the chair, and the conference then proceeded to other business. There were present twenty-eight of the thirty-three demo- cratic senators.
 Senator Germans nomination as chair- man was suggested by Senator Bacon' and there was no opposition to his selec- ton. In taking the chair he thanked the senators for the honor conferred. but did not make any extended speech. Ine remaining time of the session was de- voted largely to the discussion or the present situation in the senate and the necessity for democratic harmony and unity of action
 Many Vacancies to Fill.
 There was a general feeling that the vacancies caused by the retirement or the democratic senators from commit tees, which have to deal with ,questiors before the present called session, should be filled and 1t was decided the deslgna- ton of members of these committees should be made by steering committee to be appointed by the chairman of the caucus. but that their selection should later be ratified by the caucus. The steer ing committee for the past congress has numbered only seven members. but Sem ator German requested that the numoer be increased to nine, which was the num- Der in the days of his previous chairman ship, and this increase was decided up on. MT. German will make his selection of members of this committee In time to have a meeting tomorrow when the question of supplying the vacancies on the regular committees of the senate will be taken up. The caucus placed in the ha,-cs of the steering committee author ity to decide for the democrats whether there should be a reorganization of the senate committees or the merely filling Of vacancies on those committees, which will deal with pressing questions during the extra session.
 Can Negotiate.
 The committee is empowered to nego- tiate with the republican steering com mittee with a view to agreeing on gen. eraI reorganization. But so far as there was expression of opinion on this point. it was favorable to the view Of leaving the question of reorganis iti5n on general lines to be determined by the republicans as they are in power. There is no doubt, however that the democratic steering committee will insist upon having some of the committee filed for the reason that the democratic party has lost quite heav- iIy in some of the committees which are in control of present business They will ask for instance that the vacancies on the committee on foreign relations be filled.
 Senator Bailey retired from the com mittee before the adjournment of the last congress and by unanimous consent Sen ator Clrak of Montana was appointed to the vacancy. It is expected the steering committee will confirm this action and also will name a successor to Senator Rawlins on