The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-04-14
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
(From Our Regular Correspondent }

HC (OnlCSl ONGI l1c IOOT lcdQ6TSIlD
of the Senate Democrats ended in the
Democratic Senatorial caucus recently,
as expected in the election of Senator
Thomas S. Martin, Of Virginia, by a
vote of 81 against I6, for Senator Benja-
min F. Shvely, of Indiana. Shively was
then elected vice-chairman. Senator W.
E. Chiffon, of West Virginia, was then
elected secretary of the caucus, the two
last named places having been filled by
acclamation. Senator Owen declined a
reelection as secretary.
That any contest arose over the choice
of Democratic floor leader is regretted
in many quarters, as the floor leadership
is of slight significance as regards legis-
lation. The result of the caucus will be
claimed by Senator Bailey and his follow
ers as a victory for them How ill
founded this claim is may be Judged from
the circumstances that Senator Culber-
son, Of Texas, and Senator Clarke, of
Arkansas, two of the most pronounced
ant-Bailey men in the Senate, voted, for
Martin, on the ground that he was en-
titled by seniority to the place, and that
the choice of floor leader had little or
no bearing on questions Of party policy
But nearly all of the new Democratic
Senators attached more importance to
the choice of floor leader than did the
more experienced men, and as they were
elected as strong tariff revisionsts and
progressives, they feared that their con-
stituents would misinterpret their action
if they voted for Martin, several of whose
votes on the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill
indicated strong protective leaningS and
were sharply criticised Accordingly the
new Senators. with three exceptions
Chiffon and Watson, of West Virginia,
and Bryan, of Florida-voted for Senator
Shively, whose supporters were Cham
berlain, Davis Gore, Hitchcock and
Johnston, of Maine; Kern, Lea, MARITIME,
Myers, Newlands, O'Gorman, Owen,
Pomerene. Reed, Smith, of South Caro-
lima, and Stone.
The 81 who voted for Martin were
Bacon, Bailey, Bryan, Bankhead, Chill
ton, Clarke, of Arkansas; Culberson,
Fletcher, Foster, Johnston, gof Alabama;
Overman, Paynter, Percy, Rayner Sim
mons, Smith, OF Maryland; Swanson,
Taylor, Thornton, Watson and Williams
Senator Shively was i'll at home when
the caucus was held and Senator Mar
tin did not vote. While the supporters
of Shively are designated as the pro-
gressives in tariff and other matters, this
designation is very misleading in view of
the fact that Senators like Culberson.
Clarke, of Arkansas; Rayner, of Mary
land, and John Sharpe Williams, about
whose devotion to genuine tariff reform
and othea reform Legislation there can be
no question, were among the Martin
supporters.
Martin was nominated by Senator
Clarke, of Arkansas. and Senator
Shively, by Senator Kern, of Indiana,
the running mate of Mr.. Bryan i'll the
last Presidential campaign. Senator
Stone seconded the Shively nomination.
The 36 votes cast account for the Dem
ocratic strength except four. Senators
Tillman, of South Carolina, and Terrell,
like Shively were absent because of ill
ness, and Senator Martin did not vote.
The appointment by Chairman Martin
of Steering Committee, which will
also serve as Committee on Commit
tees, was authorized by the caucus
The committee will have to report its
program for the filling of the vacancies
on the standing committees to the caucus
itself.
OClldlOI JOiiI wv dltSi OIillltl, Ol MARY
land, said recently that the selection Of
Senator Martin was one of which the
Democratic party could be congratulated
"His long service in the Senate" said
Senator Smith, land his thorough knowl-
edge Of parliamentary law and procedure,
his splendid mental equipment and his
understanding of the conditions and men
in the Senate fully equip him fer the po-
sition. He is thoroughly capable and
will serve the Democracy with credit to
both the party and himself
His Democracy is without blemsh,
and believe that even those who op-
posed him will soon recognize his selec-
ton was the best which could have been
made, and that his leadership will be
wise, strong and exceedingly popular.
In my opinion no better man for his po-
sition could have been found among the
Democrats in the Senate"