The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-07
His Election as Chairman of Sen
ate Steering Committee Was
Unanimous.
NO POLICY WAS ADOPTED.
Caucus Ignored Canal and Recip-
rocity Treaties-Leaders Hope
to Present Solid Front Dur
ing Extra Session.
TIE Republic Bureau.

18th St and Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington. March 6.-The Democrats of
the Senate met to-day in caucus and chose
their leader. BY common consent and
without the suggestion OF rivalry Senator
German OF Maryland was made chairman
OF the caucus, which constitutes him as
chairman of the Steering Committee OF the
Democratic party of the Senate.
The nomination of Senator German for
this position was made by Senator Bacon.
and seconded by chorus that indicated
that the suggestion was approved by every
one present No other name was suggested
The caucus then renominated Mr.. Car
mack of Tennessee as secretary These
officers having been filed. general run
ming discussion lasting for a coupe of hours
took place but no policy on any subject
before the Senate was determined upon
Senator German was authorised TO appoint
a Steering Committee consisting OF nine
members. The Steering Committee was
composed of that number of Senators when
Mr.. German Was previously IN the senate.
but since that time the number has been
cut down to seven. II was at Mr.. German s
suggestion to-day that the Steering Com
mittee should consist OF the old number
Mr.. German expects TO announce this COM
mittee tomorrow morning.
Senator Stone is out OF the city and was
not at the caucus.
The caucus authorized the Steering Com
mittee to take up the matter of filling va
cancies of Democrats on committees that
will have work to do during the present
extraordinary session, and on all the COM
mittees IL 1t should happen that the Re
publicans decided upon general rearrange-
ment of committees
No effort was made at the caucus to-day
to adopt a policy for the Democratic party
In relation TO the questions to come before
the Senate. 1t will be the duty of the
this kind. and. OF course, the action of the
steering, Committee will be approved by the
caucus before anr move is made
The discussion throughout tie meeting was
OF e very general nature OF the tnirty-
three Democratic Senators twenty-six were
present, several being out Of the city. The
attendance at the caucus was regarded as
foreboding good results for the party. In
fact. most of the general talk related. in
one way OF another, 10 the need of the party
for harmonious action and for a party or
ganization which would allow the Demo-
Gratis to act as body to larger extent
than Is generally the case. 1nlividualism
has very often and almost constantly made
inroads on Democratic party movements in
the Senate.
definite policies for his side of the chamber
adopted in caucus discussions and then can
go 10 the Senate backed up in the position
ne takes by solid Democratic side. he will
DO more than even the most sanguine of the
Democrats. who look forward to a more
compact organization. anticipate. But there
was evidence in the meeting to-day OF a
desire on the part OF many Of the Demo-
Gratis 10 get together.
part of some OF the Democratic Senators
that when Senator German was made chair
man Of the caucus ana by that act &C
party in the Senate. he might. TO some ex-
tent. outline his views on pending aues-
items. Eut the comp ..rent was acknowledged
by Mr.. German by a gracious smile and a
few words of thanks. but with no further
comment, II will be for TIE steering com
mittee, OF which he Is chairman. to outline
plsn which in due time will he discussed
by the caucus.
So far as the canal treaty was concerned
there was no attempt to in any way deter
mine how the party. as a whole. would
stand in regard to that subject. Senator
Morgan was present at the caucus. but he
made no effort to secure any special conces-
son from the caucus in regard to backing
him up in his talk on the treaty.
gan is likely to treat the canal treaty as
an entirely new matter and to go on with
his discussion as II it had never been taken
policy is a matter to be seen. u is not re-
garded as likely that the Senate will under
take to press him too much in the matter
For some time. at least after the treaty
has been again reported from the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations. the Senate will
to a large extent. accommodate itself to Mr..
Morgans ability TO consume time 1t is not
likely that sessions of more than four or
five hours a day will be held
II the discussion OF the treaty should be
prolonged beyond what some Senators re-
gard as a reasonable time. 1t is quite likely
sessions. but the Democrats have so far
shown great opposition TO any tendency to
press Mr.. Morgan in this matter beyond
what would be regarded as reasonable for
a Senator who wishes to state his views at
such length as he himself determines neces-
sary.
White the Cuban reciprocity treaty was
also referred to. no effort was made to have
any policy adopted in that regard.
The meeting Of the caucus to-day was
held in the committee-room formerly occu-
pied by Senator Jones Of Arkansas. and be-
fore his time by Senator German. That
committeeman has been turned over to
Senator German. II is located on the gall
lery floor of the Senate. with windows
facing the east and is regarded as one of
the most desirable of the rooms. and espe-
cially favorable for holding caucuses Of the
party.