The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-07
GORMAN IS CHOSEN
Chairman Democratic Sena-
toriaI Caucus. Harmony
and Unity of Action.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c., March 6.-The Dem
ocratic 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 COM
mittee rooms in the Senate end of the
Capitol. He made a brief speech in as
suming the chair, and the conference
then proceeded to other business. There
We're present twenty-eight of the thirty
three Democratic Senator's
Senator Gorman's nomination as chair
man was suggested by Senator Bacon,
and there was no opposition to his Sc
lection In taking the chair he thanked
the Senator's for the honor conferred,
but did not make an extended speech.
The remaining time of the session was
devoted largely to the discussion of the
present situation in the Senate, and the
necessity for Democratic 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 before the present called ses-
that the designation of the members of
these comrnittees should be made by a,
steering committee to be appointed by
the chairman of the caucus. The steer
ing committee for the past Congress has
numbered only seven members, but Sena-
tor German requested that the number
should be increased TO nine, which was
the number in the days of his previous
4l,;.. 4
cided upon
The caucus placed in the hands of the
Steering Cmmittee authority to decide
for the Democrats whether there had
been a general reorganization of the
Senate committees or the mere filing
o the vacancies on those committees,
which will deal with pressing questions
during the extra session. The committee
is empowered to negotiate with the Re-
publican Steering Committee with view
to entering upon general reorganiza-
tion but as ar as there was expression
0 opinion on this point it was avorable
to the view of leaving the question of
reorganization on general lines to be de-
termined by the Republicans, as they are
in power. There is no doubt, however,
that the Democratic Steering Committee
will insist upon having some of the
committees filled for the reason that the
Democratic party has lost quite heavily
in some of the committees, which are in
control of present business. They will
ask, for instance, that the vacancies on
the Committee on Foreign Relations be
hlled. Senator Bailey retired from this
committee before the adjournment of
the last Congress, and by unanimous con
sent Senator Clark, of Montana, was ap-
pointed to the vcancy 1t is expected
that the Steering Committee will confirm
this action and also will name sue
eessor to Senator Rawlins on the same
committee. 1t is thought necessary to
have these vacancies filled Immediately
as that committee will have to deal with
the pending treaties. They also will asi;
that the Democratic vacancies on the
Committee on Inter-Oceanic Canals,
caused by the retirement from the Senate
of Messrs. Harris and Turner, shall be
filled. 1t also is probable that they Will
ask that the places vacated by Senators
Vest and Turner on the COMMITTEES on
Commerce, shall be filled, before the
nomination of Dr. Crum to be collector
of the port at Charleston is taken up BY
that committee. A similar demand
probably will be made in all other cases.
on which committees have charge or
nominations over which there may be
controversy. The caucus was in session
for almost two hours.
Later in the day the Steering Commit
tee was named. 1t consists of Senator's
German. of Maryland; Cockrell, of Mis-
souri,; Martin, OF Virginia; Bacon, OF
Georgia. Dubois. of Idaho Money, of
Mississippi; Bailey. of Texas; Blackburn,
of Kentucky. and Tillman, of South Car
olint.
TiSe new members OF the committee
are Messrs. German, Blackburn and
Tillnian.