Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-03-06
OORMAN MADE
CAUCUS LEADER,

Washington, March g. - The Demo-
cratic senatorial caucus, which met at
II o'clock today organized by electing
Senator German as chairman of the
caucus He made brief speech in
assuming the chair and the conference
then proceeded to other business There
were present 2S Of the 80 Democratic
senators.
Senator Germans nomination as
chairman was suggested by Senator
Bacon, and there was no opposition to
his selection, On taking the chair he
thanked the senators for the honor con-
ferred but did not make an extended
speech. The remaining time of the ses-
sion was devoted largely to the discus
sion of the present situation in the SEN
ate and the necessity for domestic har-
mony and unity OF action There was
general feeling that the vacancies
caused by the retirement of Democra-
tic senators from committees which
have TO deal with questions before the
present called session should be filled,
and il was directed that the designation
OF the members of these committees
should be made by steering commit
tee to be appointed by the chairman
of the caucus but that their selection
should later be ratified by the caucus.
Che steering committee for the past
Congress had numbered only seven
members but Senator German request
ed that the number should be Increased
% nine. which was the number In the
days Of his previous chairmansip, ana
this increase was decided upon. Mr.
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 hands Of the steering committee
authority to decide for the Democrats
whether there should be a general re-
organization of the senate committees
or the mere filing Of vacancies on those
committees which viii deal with press
ing questions during the extra session
The committee Is empowered TO neeo-
tate with the Republican steering COM
mittee with view to agreeing on
general reorganization, but so far as
there was expression of opinion ON TINS
point ii was favorable to the view OF
leaving the question Of reorganlza,
ton on general lines to be determined
by the Republicans as they are IN pow
er. There is no doubt, however, that
the Democratic steering committee VIII
insist upon having some OF the COM
mlttees filled for the reason that the
Democratic party has lost quite heavily
I'm some Of the committees which are IN
control OF present business, They VIII
ask. for instance that the vacancies on
the committee on foreign relations be
filled. Senator Bailey retired from this
committee before the adjournment OF
the last Congress, and by unanimous
consent Senator Clark OF Montana was
appointed to the vacancy II Is eX-
pected that the steering committee VIII
confirm this action and also Will name
a successor TO Senator Rawlins on the
same committee. II Is thought neces-
sary to have these vacancies filled i'm
mediately as that committee viii have
TO deal with the pending treaties, They
also will ask that the Democratic va
cances on the committee on inter-
oceanic canals caused by the retirement
from the senate OF Messrs. Harris and
Turner shall be filled.
Il IL also probable that they VIII ask
the places vacated by Senators Vest
and Turner on the committee on COM
merce shall be filed before the nom
inatlon OF Dr. Crum 10 be collector at
the port OF Charleston Is taken up by
that committee A similar demand
probably VIII be made In all other cas-.
es in which committees have charge OF
nominations over which there may be
controversy. The caucus was in session
for almost two honrs.