The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-03-11
SENATOR G0RHlH
RESUMES LEADERSHIP.
Elseisa Chairman Of the Democrat
is Senatorial Caucus.
TIE KEH STEERING COMMITTEE.
Probable That senate Committees
Will be Reorganized Before
crunas Nomination Comes Up.

Washingtony March 6.-The Demo
cratic senatorial caucus which met TO-
day organized By electing Senator Cor.
man to his old position as chairman OF
the caucus. This is a permanent place
and assures him the occupancy OF the
Democratic conference room. one OF the
most commodious and best located
committee rooms in the senate and OF
tha capita;, He made brief speech
81 assuming the chair, and the confer
ence then proceeded TO other business.
Tbere were present 2S of the 50 OF the
Democratic senators.
Sanator (9orman's nomination as
chairman was suggested oy senator
Bacon and there was no opposation 20
his selection. In taking the eha!r ne
thanked the senator's for the nonor
conferred but did not make an extend
ed speech. The remaining time OF the
session was devoted largely to the dis
enssion OF the present situation IN the
senate and the necessity for Demo
scratic harmony and unity OF action.
There was a general feeling that the
vacancies caused by the retirement OF
Democratic senators from committees
which have to deal with questions be-
fore the present called session should
be filed and it was decided that the
designation Of the members OF these
committees should be maoe by steer
ING committee to be appointed by the
chairman of the caucus, but that tne1r
selection should later be ratified Dy
the caucus. The steering committee for
the past congress has numbered only
seven members, but Senator German
reouested that the number should be
increased to nine which was the num-
Der in the days of his previous cnalr,
nanship and this increase was decided
upon. &c
the steering committee authority to
decide for the Democrats whether
there should be general reorganlzSa-
tien Of the senate committees oI sne
mere filing of the vacancies on those
committees, which deal with pressing
Questions during the extra session.
The committee is empowered to nego-
tate with the Republican steering
committee with a view TO. entering
upon a general reorganization, ous {
so far as there was no expression. OF
opinion on this point 1t was favorable
TO the view Of leaving the question OF
reorganization on general lines 70 De
determined by the Republicans, as they
are in power. There is no doubt,
however. that the Democratic steer
ing committee will insist upon having
some OF. the committees hled for the
reason that the Democratic party has
lost quite heavily in some Of the COM
nittees which are in control OF pres
ent business. They will lask, for In
stance. that the vacancies on the COM
nittee on foreign relations be hlled.
Senator Bailey retired from this com
naittee before the adjournment OF the
last congress and by unanimous con-
sent Senator Clark, of Montana, was
appointed to the vacancy. 1t is ex-
pectsd that the steering committee
will confirm this action and also name
a successor to Senator Rawlinson on
the same committee. 1t is thought
NECESSARY to have these vacancies Tiled
Immediately as that committee Will
have to deal with pending treaties.
They also will ask that the Democrat
ic vacancies on the committee on in
teroceanic canals caused by the retire
ment from the senate of Messrs. Tur-
ner and Harris shall he filed. It is
also probable that they will ask that
the places vacated by Senators Vest
and Turner on the committee on COM
merce shall be filed, before the noml.
nation of DR.. Crum to be collector OF
the port of Charleston, is taken up by
that committee. A similar demand
probably be made in all other cases,
on which committees have charge OF
nominations over which there may be
controversy. The caucus was in ses-
sion for almost two hours. Later IN
the day the steering committee was
named. 1t consists Of Senators Nor
gan, Maryland; Cockren, Missouri
Martin, Virginia; Bacon, Georgia
Dubois, Idaho; Money, Mississippi
Bailey, Texas; Blackburn, Kentucky
and Tillman, South Carolina. The
new members on the committee are
Messrs. German, Blackburn and Till