Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-04
DEMOCRATS IN
SENATE COMBINE
ORGANIZE TO DEFEAT THE
DOMINICAN TREATY
Plan Is to Control Minority So as to
Force a strict Party Vote on
This and other
Questions
BY Associate Press.

BN ASSpCl1 teu fIeSS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-Democrati'
senators perfected today what they be-
leve to be a compact organization tt
defeat the Santo Domingo treaty ant
place the minority in a position C
compel a strict party vote on Other
questions likely to arise during th'
present session. Two resolutions were
adopted at caucus continuing five
hours, which the Democrats assert moi
only will dispose of the Dominicer
treaty but will furnish the precedent
for demanding a united party vote Oh
all questions that may be considered
rartisan in their character, when two
thirds of the Democratic senators sc
decide. The resolution follows:
Resolved, that the senate ought not
TO advise and consent to the treaty be-
tween the Unied Safes and the republic
OF Santo Domingo, now pending be-
fore the senate.
t"Re solved, 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
treaty.
Represented in the caucus were 26
of the 33 minority members. Those
who were absent were Berry, Clark of
Montana, Gearin, McLaurin and stone,
all out of the city. Patterson with
drew before the vote was taken. Teller
voted for the Philippine island bill
and was excused from voting OH the
second, and McEnery and Taliaferro
absented themselves without eXpland-
ton.
The first resolution was adopted by
vote of "a to /, Clark of Arkansas,
voting in the negative. The second
was adopted 20 to 4, Clark of Arkan-
sas, Daniel. Foster and Mallory voting
in the negative.
The position of the absentees on the
treaty as represented in the caucus
gives % against the treaty, with the
position of Clark of Arkansas. Nc
Emery, Patterson and Taliaferro 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 senator's in emphatic
expressions after the caucus adjourned
was that today's action meant that the
Democrats of the senate would have
q united party on matters determined
by two-thirds of the members on ques-
tions affecting party policy. Those who
do not abide by the caucus decision will
not be regarded as Democrats and the
point will be raised against them
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 Repub-
leans will vote for the treaty and four
Democratic votes are needed to secure
it's ratification. There are SO senator's
there being one vacancy from Della
ware, and probably one vote, Burton's,
will not be cast or paired. Therefore
IS votes are necessary for ratification.
The Republicans have 55 without Bur
ton and four votes from the opposi-
ton will give them the required two
thirds. Democratic leaders do not be-
lieve these four votes will be forth
coming and express the hope that SEN
ators who may be favorably disposed
toward the treaty will feel bound by
the caucus action today.