Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-08
SENATE HOLDS
WARM SESSION
CAUCUS RULE CAUSES SHARP
DEBATE
Bailey Scores Patterson for Latter's
Refusal to Submit to Party Dis
eipline-Diseusslon Creates
Excitement
pv Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Feb. To-day FOR
the first time in many years the senate
chamber was made the scene OF an
effort TO administer party discipline TO
a member Of that body and the occur
renee was one of so many dramatic in
cidents that the many witnesses Will
not soon forget it.
Mr.. Patterson was subject of the
effort and Mr.. Bailey to whom, in the
absence of Mr.. German, Democratic
leadership is conceded, was the instru-
ment of his party in the incident.
The proceeding arose in connection
with the consideration of Mr.. Patter-
sons resolution of responsance against
caucus action on treaties with foreign
nations.
The Colorado senator today called
up his resolution Immediately after the
conclusion of the routine morning bust
ness and addressed the senate upon 1t.
The facts concerning the caucus pro-
ceedings of Saturday and his with
drawal from the caucus were fresh in
the minds of senators. Mr.. Patterson's
speech was in the main an elaboration
Of his resolution, and he contended
stoutly for the right of a senator to fol-
low the dictates of his conscience rather
than the demands of his party in all
matters regarding which the two may
be in conflict.
Bailey Taunts Patterson
1t was not until after he had con-
cluded that the proceedings took on an
air of intensity and excitement.
Mr. Bailey, as most of the members
of his party, had interpreted Mr.. Pat
terson's resolution as a deliberate re-
striction upon the Democratic caucus,
and from the moment Mr.. Bailey arose
he assumed an aggressive and some
what taunting manner toward the
Colorado senator.
His speech was based upon the theory
that all senators are under obligations
to obey conscience rather than caucus,
but that in doing so they antagonize
their party and should hold themselves
responsible to their party, but the
speech was more notable for It's ar
raignment of Mr.. Patterson for his
course than for its adherence to any
line OF argument.
Makes Dramatic Incident
Mr.. Bailey charged the senator from
Colorado with having been party to
the adoption in a previous caucus of
the rule binding senators TO the two
thirds rule. This charge and Mr.. Pat
terson's response to it constituted a
most dramatic incident, and the feeling
throughout the senate chamber was
very tense until the climax was passed
Mr.. Patterson failed to recall the
proceedings of the previous caucus, but
Mr.. Bailey's colleague Mr. Culberson,
was prepared with a copy of those pro-
ceedings, and when he had exhibited it
Mr.. Patterson said that he would not
undertake to dispute the record.
: Denies Boiling Charges
He said he had been called a "bolter"
and a "White House Democrat" and
that a New York paper had gone so
far as to say that there had been an
understanding between himself and the
president and that an understanding
about patronage and the senator's re-
election had been reached. In futation
of this charge he said he had never
made but one request for official APP
pontment by the president and in that
case the request was refused.
The last interview he had had with
the president was a month ago, he
said, and pertained to the forest re-
serves. In that matter he felt that the
president had transcribed his author
ity, and he had so informed the presi-
dent. In that case also he had failed
in his mission. There had been an en-
phatic exchange of views and a sud-
den termination of the interview and
he had not since met the chief eXecu-
tive except in casual way.
He confessed to a warm friendship
for the president and he felt that in
the struggle he was making on econ
omic lines he deserved support.
Morgan Questions Speaker
II admire and commend him for his
brave position" he said. Mr.. Patter-
son said that he expected the treaty
to be amended.
II don't object to the main features
of the treaty" he said, "but if the
treaty is not amended as l think it
should be 1 will take the new condi-
ton into consideration and in the end
do as 1 think l should"
Much of this statement was brought