Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-02-04
Colorado Senators Decline.
To Be Bound by Caucus.
PARTY WHIP CRACKING ON
DOMINICAN TREATY VOTE
Republicans Need Four Of the 0p-
position to Secure Ratification of
the Administration Policy,


senators perfected today what they
believe to be a compact organization
to defeat the Santo Doming treaty and
place the minority in a position TO
compel a strictly party vote on other
questions likely to arise during the
present session. Two resolutions were
adopted at caucus continuing five
hours, which the democrats assert
not only will dispose of the Domini-
can treaty but will furnish the prece-
dent for demanding a united party
vote on all questions that may be con-
sidered partisan in their character
when two-thirds of the democratic
senators so decide. The resolutions
follow:
Resolved, That the senate ought
not to advise and consent to the treaty
between the United States and the
Republic of Santo Domingo, now
pending before the senate.
Resolved, That if two thirds of the
caucus shall vote in favor of the fore
going resolution, it shall be the duty
of every democratic senator to vote
against the ratification of the said
treaty"
Those who were absent from the
caucus were Berry, Clark of Montana,
Gearin, McLaurin, and Stone, all out
of the city. Patterson withdrew be-
fore the vote was taken. Teller voted
for the first resolution and was ex-
cused from voting on the second. and
McEnery and Taliferro absented them
selves without explanation.
The first resolution was adopted by
vote of 21 to /, Clark of Arkansas,
voting in the negative. The second
was adopted by vote of 20 to 4, Clark
of Arkansas, Daniel, Foster and Nal
lory voting in the negative.
The position of the absentees on the
treaty, as represented in the caucus,
gives 20 against the treaty. with the
position of Clark OF Arkansas, McEn-
cry. Patterson and Taliferro not
known save for the public expressions
of Patterson in the senate in favor Of
the administration policy.
The spirit manifested in the caucus
and voiced by several leading senators
in emphatic expressions after the eau
Gus adjourned was that todays action
meant that the democrats of the SEN
ate would have united party action on
matters determined by two-thirds of
their number to be questions affecting
party policy. Those who do not
abide by the caucus decision will not
be regarded as democrats and the
point will be raised again tomorrow
should they appear in future caucuses
of the party.
Mr.. Patterson declined to make any
explanation of his leaving the caucus
1t is supposed that all of the re-
publicans will vote for the treaty and
that four democratic votes are neces-
sary to secure Its ratification. There
are SO senators, there being one va
cancy from Delaware and probably
one vote, Burton, will not be cast or
paired. Therefore, four votes are
necessary for ratification. The repub,
llcans are without Burton, and there
fore four democratic votes will give
the requisite two-thirds.
Nearly every senator in attendance
had something to say on the subject
of making treaties questions of party
policy Several senators declared that
the republicans already had made the
Dominican treaty a party question by
uniting for It's support, and on this
ground arguments We're made that II
the minority hoped to accomplish any
thing as a party it behooved them to
emulate the republicans and re-estab-
llsh the party principle. Senator Bal
ley was one of the chief speakers
voicing this sentiment. Senator Tel
ler said that he was opposed to the
ratification OF the treaty but at the
same time he did not care to bind the
party by caucus action on treaty ques.
tlons.
Senator Clark (ArlSansas) said thai
he wanted more information concern
Ing the treaty and what it Will do be-
fore he committed himself to vote or
II at ALL.
Senators Culberson. Daniel, Dubois
and Pattison spoke at length, the last
named taking The stand that treaties
should not be considered in caucus
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