The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-17
FAIL TO AGREE
AS TO PANAMA
Democratic Caucus Labors in
Vain-Each Member VIII Act
on His Own Motion.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 16-
Democratic members of the senate
caucused today, 1890 until O'Clock.
but were unable to get together on a
programme as to canal legislation.
-Four distinct propositions were sub
mitted and many other suggestions
Were made informally, but no agree
ment could be reached and the caucus
adjourned to meet again on call of
Senator German, chairman. Several
senators bitterly complained of the
lack of harmony which prevailed and
compared the Democratic position with
the attitude of the Republicans, who,
they said, with twice as many repre-
sentatives, have hardly a straggler,
while scarcely two Democrats were of
the same opinion. Senator German
said of the caucus:
1t was our first pow-wow in which
we talked and we will do our thinking
afterward."
A resolution which was discussed at
great length was offered by Senator
Carmack of Tennessee. 1t declared
the sentiment of the Democrats to be
that the present canal law should be
put into operation by the president.
The resolution declared the Spooner
act to be present law" governing the
authoritative course of the United
States in regard to the building of
canal and held that under that act
the president should proceed to the
building of the canal on the Nicaragua
and Costa RIGA route 1t asserted
that the reasonable time" for the ac-
quirfng of the Panama route lapsed at
the death of the Hay-Herran treaty and
that the president consequently was
left with no alternative but to build
the canal on the northerly isthmian
route. In support of this resolution
speeches were made by Senators Car
mack, Dubois, Teller, Blackburn, Pat
terson and others. The speeches were
interrupted by senators differing with
the proposition, the principal argu-
ments being made by Senators Bacon,
Clay and Cockrell. 1t was apparent
at the outset that a motion of such
radical character could not harmonize
the minority.
Censure of the president for his al
legged assistance of the Panama revolt,
but pledging support if a canal treaty
were negotiated with the new republic,
was the purport of a resolution offered
by Senator Bacon as a substitute for
the Carmack plan. This opposite eX-
IRENE met immediate rejection. 1t was
at this point that some of the senators
withdrew from the caucus.
Two compromise plans were sug-
gested. The first was offered by SEN
dlOT NeWlaHQS, WHO proposed tndC the
steering committee be authorized to
hold a conference with a committee Of
the Democratic members of the house
| to be appointed by Representative Will
| liams, the house minority leader for
the purpose of preparing some party
policy on all matters which will come
before the senate in the extraordinary
session. This resolution was antag-
oniZed on the ground that the Demo-
Gratis of the house already have adopt
ed their programme in relation to the
Cuban reciprocity 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 ap-
point committee of five to devise a
programme on which there will be at
least a fighting chance of united ac-
ton was made. For time it appeared
that a solution of the differences had
been reached. Several senators left
the caucus under the impression that
this course would be adopted, but OBJ
| lection was raised by those Democrats
who had supported Senator Carmack's
resolution and the caucus adjourned.
1t was said tonight by a leading men,
Der of the senate Democratic steering
committee that the minority party in
all probability will meet the question
of canal legislation without organiza-
ton Of any kind and will act according
to its individual opinions.