The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17
DEMOCRATS DIVIDED.
Senators Unable to Agree on a Pam
ANA Legislation Programme.

WASHINGTON, Nov. le.-Democratic
members of the Senate caucused to-day
from 1870 until o'clock. but were unable to
get together on a programme as to canal
legislation. Four distinct propositions were
submitted in the form of resolutions and
many other suggestions were made inform
ally, but no agreement could be reached
and the caucus adjourned to meet again on
the call of Senator German, chairman. Sew
eral senators in leaving the caucus bitterly
complained of the lack OF harmony which
prevailed and compared the Democratic
position with the attitude Of the Repub-
licans who, they said, with twice as many
representatives, had not a straggler. while
hardly two Democrats were OF same opin-
ion. Senator German said Of the caucus:
1T was our first pow-wow in which We all
talked and We VIII do our thinking after
wards"
The resolution which was discussed at
greatest length was offered by Senator
Carmack, of Tennessee. 1t declared the
sentiment Of the Demoe Sd Is to be that the
alton by the President. The resolution de-
clared the SDooner act to be the present
law governing the authoritative course or
the United States In regard TO the building
of canal and held that under that act the
the canal on the Nicaragua and Costa Rica
route. 1t asserted that the reasonable
time" for the acquiring of the Panama
route lapsed at the death of the Hay-Her-
ran treaty and that the President conse-
quently was left with no alternative but 10
build the canal on the more northerly
isthmian route. In support of this resolu-
ton speeches were made by Senators Car
mack. Dubois, Teller, Blackburn, Patter-
SON and others The speeches were inter-
rupted by senators differing with the prop
osition, the principal arguments being made
was apparent at the outset that motion OF
such radical character could not harmon
ize the minority.
Censure for the President for his alleged
assistance of the Panama revolt but pledg
ing support If canal treaty were negoti-
ated with the new republic was the pur-
port Of resolution offered by Senator
Bacon as a substitute for the Carmsck
plan. This opposite extreme met immed-
late rejection. 1t was at this point that
some of the senators withdrew from the
caucus.
Two compromise plans were suggested.
The first was offered by Senator Newlands,
who proposed that the steering committee
committee of Democrat members of the
House TO be appointed by Representative
John Sharpe Williams. the House minority
party policy on all matters which viii come
before the Senate in the extraordinary ses-
sion. The resolution was antagonized on
the ground that the Democrats or the
House already have adopted their pro-
gramme in relation to the Cuban reciproc-
ty enabling act and that any opinion the
House may have on the canal treaty could
not affect the position of the Senate.
A proposal to authorize Senator German
| to appoint a committee of five TO devise a
programme on which there would be at
| least fighting chance of united action was
made and for tine II appeared that a
| solution of the differences had been reach
| ed Several senators left the caucus under
| the impression that this course would be
adopted. but objection was raised by those
Democrats who had supported Senator Car
mack's resolution and the caucus then adj
journed.