Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-02
PARTY LINES TO BE DRAWN
Upon Measures Where Party Issue Ia
Presented.
MINORITY WANT UNITED FRONT
Special Question the Dominican
Treaty, but Rate Legislation May
Be Taken Up.

The effect OF the proposed caucus OF the
democrats of the Senate to be held tomor-
row morning is being discussed with inter-
est by leaders of the minority Primarily
the caucus will be for the purpose of dis
cussing the position the party will take on
the Dominican treaty.
Many democrats contend that the bed
rock principles of democracy would be vio-
lated by the ratification of the santo Do
mingo treaty While there are many ques-
tions in their view that democrats can d.
vide upon with proprety. this is one on
which there can be but one point of view.
An effort will be made by some of tha
strongest leaders on the democratic side to
have the party take a stand not only on
the Dominican treaty but on all questions
that come before the Senate in order thst
an effective organization may be had to
pass or defeat the measures that come
up for action. AS one leading democratic
senator explained the situation today the
minority will endeaNo or to effect strong
party organization that may have all the
advantages of united front TO be pre-
sentcd on all questions of Importance on
which party lines could reasonably be
drawn.
To Draw Party Lines Tighter
The constant taunts that members Of the
minority have met to the effect that
the republicans to secure a two-thlrds vote
whenever it is necessary to have one TO rat
ify treaty is far from pleasing to leaders
of the minority. The coming caucus will
| unquestionably be characterized by some
very urgent speeches in favor of drawing
party lines tighter than In the past, and in
favor of caucus action on all important
| measures of a party nature.
The fact that the minority of the Senate
has constantly failed to present a united
frrlra 81,
garded as of party nature has created
| feeling that any effort of that kind is not
likely to prove effective. On the other
| hand, there are a number of leading DEM
ocrats who feel that Il is worth while maxi
ing another attempt to unite democratic
votes in order that the party may exer-
else its entire strength In the Senate IN
whateve' course may be adopted by dem
ocratic caucuses.
This movement Is proving of interest to
the republicans as well as democrats not
only on account of its possible effect on the
pending treaties, but also because Of the
influence that may be eXerted in that way
on great legislative and other measures that
will shortly be fought over in the Senate.
Rate Legislation Uncertain.
Although some senators have their own
Views as to the way the Senate will stand
on the subject of rate legislation, the lead
ers do not feel any assurance to what
the situation Will be when the issue is
clearly drawn between the two dominant
propositions for the regulation of railway
rates Until the committee has reported
and the debate has opened in the Senate.
so that 1t will be possible to definitely de-
termine where many senators who now
regarded as doubtful stand on such legisla-
ton, it will not be practicable for leaders
to determine with any certainty how q
final vote on those propositions will di-
vide
Should democratic leaders succeed in
drawing their membership in the Senate
together in such a way to present
practically a united front on the pending
treaty, they will have great encourage
ment in an effort that will surely follow
TO get the party together dn favor Of united
effort in relation to the rate bills. AS II is
now democrats are considerably divided,
and although there has been sucA unani-
nous action on the Hepburn bill In the
House, there is assurance that ike
situation will be developed in the Senate.
For these reasons the greatest interest
is attached to the efforts that will be made
by democratic leaders at their caucus to
get their people together in compact or
gauization.
A rule adopted by the minority a few
sessions ago. which empowers two-thirds
of their number to bind the whole to
united action, is held by party leaders to be
In effect at the present time. This con-
tention Is denied by several senators, IN
cluding some who are opposed to the santo
Domingo treaty, but 1t is agreed that nna-
iority of the democrats could put such q
rule into effect at any time. In that event.
If the two thirds are found to oppose the
treaty, as appears likely from the esu-
mates made by those who are responsive
for the call of a caucus, any democrat Vot-
ing for the treaty would be classed as an
''insurgent' by his fellow-minority men,
bers,