The Ordway new era., 1906-02-09
CAUCUS TYRANNY
DENOUNCED IN RESOLUTIONS ~
SENATOR PATTERsoN.
SENATOR LODGE IN ACCORD

Caucus Rule Declared to Be In vIois-
tion Of the constltution-Duty Of
Each Senator to Vote According to
His Own Convictions.
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 little concerned at to what
should come next.
Mr.. Patterson made no effort to Sc
cure the privilege of discussing the res
olution, but gave notice that he would
address the Senate upon 1t the next
day, or at the first available day af-
| terward.
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 MIR. Patterson's
| contentious.
Aside from the personal interest In
Mr.. Patterson's political fortunes. the
resolution raises q new question a. to
the rights Of senators generally. 20
| that there Is much scope for animated
discussion and wide margin for diner-
ence Of opinion. In all probability sew
eral days will elapss before the Ques-
tion Is settled.
Senator Pattersou's resolution Was
as follows,
Whereas. The constitution Of tho
| 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 once IL re-
quired solemnly to swear or amrm
that he will support and defend the
constitution of the United States and
that he will faithfully discharge the
duties OF the ofiice upon which he II
about to enter and
Whereas, Because II 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 senators. the Dem
ocratic senators were called to caucus
upon such matters; and.
"whereas, It was found at such eau.
Gus that said reports were correct and
that certain Democratic senators
,tut. ,,s1 nNzNp ~
| the views OF said majority: and.
Whereas. Thereupon the following
resolutions were presented and
adopted by more than twothIrds OF the
senators present at said caucus: (Here
was inserted the resolutions adopted
by the Democratic caucus.)
Whereas. The apparent purpose OF
said resolution and actions was inn
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 disregarding- 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 II In
plain violation OF the spirit and intent
Of the constitution Of the United
States.
Second, that for two-thirds or any
other number of the senators Of any
party to meet and declare that II
shall be the duty Of any senator to
vote upon any question other than ~
his own convictions impel him. 10 .
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 q senator to cast that
one vote against his convictions OF
right and du'y II. the premises II to
disfranchise his state in the Senate and
to deprive II Of the representation in
that body the constitution provides Il
shall have.
Fourth, that when any number q
senators, by combination OF otherwise.
undertake through any species Of coer-
cion to induce other serAtors to vote
except ~ their Judgments ana con-
sciences tell them, Il IL an invasion q
the rights Of state to equal reproeeu-
tation with other states In the Senate
and IL subversive oe their rights 70
equal representation and tho votes OF
its senators in the Senate that the co0-
stitution has provided for.
Fifth, that the senator who permits
any body OF other senators to declare
and define for him what hla duty y b
the matter Of his voto IA IT, 0snato
and who casts his vote h reepeQpo -
uuch intarferenCo vokon not - q -
ator from his own state; bet - y 6oo
ator from the pkher otatee, an4 ~ 11'R
menta the pcSer q The ctnee sl111 ~