New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-16
GO-AS-YOU-PLEASE POLICY
Democratic Senate "Agreement"
Like a Bwlesque.
TrRoM TIE rRIRUNE RuREAu.l

Washington, Dec 15-Democratic Senators have
at last reached an agreement intended to accom-
plish party harmony and unity of action. whereby
every Democratic Senator will be bound by the
mandates of the caucus, except when 1t suits his
purpose to be otherwise. After herculean strug-
gle lasting three days this unique specimen of rigid
fexiblity agreed 10 at to-day's Democratic
caucus The proper name of the Democratic COM
pact is the Blackburn resolution its author being
the entirely original Scion from the Bluegrass
State.
The provisions of the Blackburn resolution. which
was to-day adopted with only a sufficient number
of dissenting votes to demonstrate that it was
Democratic caucus. provides that every member
of the party shall be bound by two-thirds vote Of
the caucus, except % when a Senator has in any
way pledged himself to his constituents to follow
opposite course: except ) when the legisla ture
of any Senator has directed him to follow an op-
posite course. and except go when any Senator is
bound by conscientious scruples or q belief that
he so best the interests Of his constitu-
ents, to pursue opposite course
When it was pointed out to q member of the
caucus that this resolution might not prove par
ticulariy binding any Senator who chose to dis
regard the dictates Of the caucus. he promptly
world that two-thrds of the Democrats would ever
e e9Tse P Sd e agreed upon there Would be
plenty of Democrats whose consciences dld not
As a means of demonstrating the free and indie
pendent spirit Of the Democracy no SoI be s nu
ator Mallory moved that 1t be made to refer only
such
the Senate after the Cuban bill and the Panama
treaty had been disposed Of Although II was with
the hope Of accomplishing effective party action
against the treaty named that Senators German
and Blackburn had conceived this drastic plede e;
The Tribune correspondent is credibly informed
that the Mallory motion would have promptly car
hausted with their previous labors, had lett the
caucus chamber. leaving less than quorum pres
ent. 80,
1t is authoritativey stated. however. that with
this powerful weapon at his command the Senator
from Maryland will be able TO rally his party in
the Senate once more. and lead it with that same
unity of purpose and concert of action that have
characterized the combined leadership OF Carmack
and Bailey, Teller and Dubois. and that have by
their combined front, terrorlZed the Republican
majority on so many past occasions
The immediate effect of the party harmony, so
strenuousy accomplished. was observed in the pro-
ceedngs of the Senate to-day when Bailey OF
Texas. vigorously opposed the Cuban bill because
it meant higher protection to American industries,
and moreover must compel Cuba to adopt a higher
pre- tective tariff" And Teller and Patterson, OF
Colorado. denounced the Cuban treaty because 1t
failed to leave the beet sugar producers OF their
State sufficient protection. while Clay and Bacon,
of Georgia, announced their intention of voting for
the Cuban bill S evidence Of their conviction
that il a step in the direction of free trade.
Senator AldriCh while seriously pertUrbed at the
prospect of a united Democratic opposition to every
measure that may be proposed 10y the majority, still
refuses TO become entirely discouraged, and de-
clares that way out of the dilemma in viii h
the Blackburn resolution has placed himself and
his colleagues will be dscovered-in time.