The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-06
CAUCUS RULE
IS OPPOSED BY
MR.. PATTERSON

Washington, Feb 6.-The senate was
| treated To n distinct sensation yesterday.
Mr.. Patterson. Democrat, of Colorado,
who introduced In the senate resolution
in effect declaring the action OF the DEM
ocratic caucus Of last Saturday TO have
been contrary TO the constitution OF the
! United States. The caucus voted against
the ratification OF the Santo Domingo
treaty
Apparently the senator's action was un-
expected on the part Of a majority OF
the reading OF tho rather long preamble
progressed evidently not little concern
cd as 10 what should come next
II is expected that the Democrats gem
orally will resist the adoption OF the reso-
luton. and that the Republican senator's
will sustain Mr.. Pattersons contentious.
Aside from the personal interest in Mr..
Patterson's political fortunes, the resolu-
ton raises a new question as TO the
| rights OF senator's generally, so that there
is much scope for animated discussion In
all probability several days will elapse
before the question is settled.
THE RESOLUTION.
Mr. Pattersons resolution was as fol-
lows:
Whereas. the Constitution OF the
United States provides that the senate OF
the United Safes shall be composed OF
two senators from each state. chosen by
the legislatures there OF, and that each
senator shall have one vote: and,
Whereas. each senator before assum-
ing the duties OF his office is required to
solemnly swear or affirm that he will
support and defend the Constitution of
the United States and that he will faith
fully discharge the duties OF the office
upon which is about 20 enter: and,
Whereas. because IL was currently re-
ported that one or more Democratic sena-
tors might vote upon a certain matter
pending before the senate contrary TO the
views OF a majority OF the body OF Demo-
cratic senetors, the Democratic senators
were called 10 caucus upon such matters;
and.
Whereas, IL was found al such caucus
that said reports were correct and that
certain Democratic senators might vote
or would vote contrary to the views OF
said majority; and,
Whereas, Thereupon the following
resolutions were presented and adopted
by more than two-thirds OF the senators
present at said caucus
Resolved. That the senate ought not
1
tween the United States and the repub-
lie of Santo Domingo now pending
" Resolved. IL two-thirds OF this eau
Gus shall vote in favor OF the foregoing
| resolution. 1t shall be the duty OF every
| Democratic senator to vote against the
| ratification OF said treaty
A VIOLATION OF SPIRIT. q
Whereas. The apparent purpose of
| said resolutions and actions was TO inn
properly induce or coerce Democratic
| senator's who might believe that the best
| interests OF the country required the rati-
| fcation OF said treaty, and because there
| or held IL 10 be their duty TO vote for its
ratification and into disregarding that
| part OF their oaths I'm which they declared
| that they would faithfully discharge their
duties OF the office of senators, therefore
| be II
Resolved, First. that such action by
the said or any other caucus is I'm plain
violation OF the spirit or intent Of the
constitution OF the United States.
Second. That for two-thirds or any
other number OF senators OF any party
to meet and declare that 1t shall be the
duty OF any senator to vote upon any
question other than as his own convlc-
tions impel him. is plain violation of the
manifest intent and spirit Of the consti-
tuition all have sworn to uphold and de-
fend.
Third, that the one vote the consti-
tuition declares each senator shall have
is his own vote and not the vote OF any
OJner OF OF any NUMBER or other senator's,
and for a senator TO cast that one vote
against his convictions Of right and duty
in the premises is 10 disfranchise his state
In the senate and deprive IL of the repre-
sentation In that body the constitution
provides IL shall have.
Fourth. that when any number Of SEN
ators. by combination or otherwise. un-
dertake through any species of coercion
TO induce other senators to vote except as
their judgments and consciences tell them.
II Is an invasion Of the rights OF a state
TO equal representation with other states
int he senate. and it Is subversive of its
rights to equal representation and the
! votes OF its senators In the senate that
the constitution has provided for
Fifth. that the senator who permits
any body OF other senators 10 declare
and define for him what his duty is In
the matter OF his vote I'm the senate and
who casts his vote in response 10 such
Interference. votes not as a senator from
his own state. but as a senator from the
other states. and he augments the power
OF the other states beyond that permitted
by the constitution and weakens and de-
grades the power OF his own state in the
senate I'm violation OF the spirit of the
constitution.
sixth, that for any senator 10 vote OK
cept as his judgment and sense oG duty
under his oath OF office requires is 10
degrade the high office or senator and 10
assail the dignity and standing OF the
senate OF the United States, qualities
possessed in such high degree by no other
legislative body in the world"