The Grit-advocate., 1906-02-09
CAUCUS TYRANNY
DENOUNCED IN RESOLUTION BY
SENATOR PATTERSON.
SENATOR LODGE IN ACCORD
Caucus Rule Declared to Be in Viola
tion Of the constitution-Duty Of
Each Senator to Vote According to
His Own Convictions.

HIS own ConvleuonS.
Washington. The Senate was
treated to a distinct sensation Mon
day by Mr.. Patterson of Colorado, who
followed up his retirement of last Sat
urday from the Democratic caucus by
introducing in the Senate a resolution
in effect declaring the action of the
caucus to have been contrary to the
constitution of the United States.
Apparently the senator's action was
unexpected on the part of the majority
of the senators, and they listened at
tentively as the reading of the rather
long preamble progressed, evidently
not a little concerned at to what
should come next.
Mr.. Patterson made no effort to Sc.
cure the privilege of discussing the les
olution, but gave notice that he would
address the Senate upon it the next
day, Or at the first available day af-
lerward.
1t is expected that the Democrats
generally will resist the adoption of
the resolution and that the Republican
senators, under the lead of Senator
Lodge, will sustain Mr.. Patterson's
contentious.
Aside from the personal interest in
Mr.. Patterson's political fortunes, the
resolution raises a new question as to
the rights of senators generally, SO
that there is much scope for animated
discussion and wide margin for differ
ence of opinion. In all probability sew
eral days will elapse before the ques-
tion is settled.
Senator Patterson's resolution was
as follows:
Whereas. The constitution of the
United States provides that the Sen
ate of the United States shall be COM
posed of two senators from each state
chosen by the legislatures thereof, and
| that each senator shall have one vote;'
! and,
Whereas, Each senator before as
suming the duties of his office is re-
| QIired sOlemnly to swear or affirm
! that he will support and defend the
constitution of the United States and
that he will faithfully discharge tie
duties of the office upon which he is
about to enter and
Whereas, Because it was currently
reported that one or more Democratic
senators might vote upon certain
matter pending before the Senate con-
trary to the views of majority of the
body of Democratic senator's. the Dem
ocratic senators ~er+sHcalled tc. CAUCUS
upon such matters; and,
Whereas, 1t was found at such eau
Gus that said reports were correct and
that certain Democratic senators
might vote or would vote contrary to
the views of said majority; and,
hn nc
| resolutions were presented and
adopted by more than two-thirds of the
senators present at said caucus: (Here
was inserted the resolutions adopted
By the Democratic caucus.0
Whereas. The apparent purpose Of
said resolution and actions was I'M
properly to induce Or coerce Demo-
cratic senators who might believe that
the best interests of the country re-
quired the ratification of said treaty
and because thereof held it to be their
duty to vote for its ratification and
into dsregarding that part Of their
oaths in which they declared that they
would faithfully discharge the duties
of the Office of senator; therefore,
be it
Resolved, First, that such action by
the said or any other caucus is in
plain violation of The spirit and intent
of the constitution of the United
States
"Secoud that for twothirds or any
other number of the senators of any
party to meet and declare that it
shall be the duty of any senator to
vote upon any question ether than as
his own convictions impel him. is a
plain violation of the manifest intent
and spirit of the constitution all have
sworn to uphold and defend.
Third. that the 'one vote the con-
stitution declares each senator shall
have is his own vote and not the vote
of any other or of any number of other
senators. and for a senator to cast that
'one vote against his convictions Of
right and duty in the premises is to
disfranchise his state in the Senate and
to deprive it of the representation in
that body the constitution provides 1t
shall have.
Fourth, that when any number Of
senators. by combination Or otherwise,
undertake through any species of coer
cion to induce other senator's to vote
except as their judgments and con-
sciences tell them. it is an invasion of
the rights of a state to equal represen-
tation with other states in the Senate
and IS subversive OF their rights to
equal representation and the votes OF
its senators in the Senate that the con-
stitution has provided for.
Fifth, that the senator who permits
any body of other senators to declare
and define for him what his duty is in
the matter of his vote in the Senate
and who casts his vote in response to
a.. =, ~t-.,
ator from his own state, but as sen
ator from the other states. and he aug
ments the power of the other states be.
yond that permitted by the constitution
and weakens and degrades the power
of his own state in the Senate in vio
latiton of the spirit Of the constitu-
ton.
sixth. that for any senator to vote
except as his judgment and sense of
duty under his oath of office requires
is to degrade the high office of senator
and to assail the dignity and standing
of the Senate of the United States
qualities possessed in such high de-
gree by no other legislative body in
the world"
The resolution came as surprise.
Mr.. Patterson and Mr.. Tillman rose
simultaneously. but Mr.. Patterson re-
ceived recognition from the chairman.
Mr.. Tillman objected to considera-
ton of the resolution at that time and
Do cniI that q willing