The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-13
PBOGREsS|VES OUT
TOREORGAN|zE THE
SENATEFOR SELVES
Twenty Seven Democrats
Signed Agreement to Act
in Conjunction
MEANS OVERTHROW
OF REACTIONARIES
II Presidcnt-Elect Wilson
Gives His Sanction 1t Is
Said Seven Others
to Join Movement

WASHINGTON, Dec l2.-Progres-
stve Democrats in the senate to the
number OF twenty-seven. have signed
an agreement to reorganize that body
through a preferential vote after
March 4th. THIS Is to include the
reorganization of the committees and
the question of party leadership. The
number who have signed the agree
ment constitute a majority of the
Democratic membership insuring the
absolute dominion OF the progressives
In the new Democratic senate. II
President Elect wilson gives approval
to the proposed policy. 1t was said
seven other Democrats will become
parties to the agreement.
The movement has gone far enough
TO Indicate the approaching over
throw of the Democratic reactionartes
in precisely the same fashion that
Aldrtch. Hale. Lodge. Gallinger. Pen
rose and Smoot, the Republican re-
act.onaries, were put out of business.
ard eventually the Republican party
retired from power in all branches OF
the government.
Those Slated (yp
Bailey, of Texas. is the arch Demo-
private fife at the end OF this term
His principal followers who viii re-
main In the senate. and the positions
they hold as ranking members of the
minority today, but which the pro-
gressives have determined shall be
more equitabiy distributed, are as fol-
lows:
Tiiiman. of South Carolina: entitled
TO the chairma nship OF either naval
affairs. interstate commerce, or APP
preparations
Martin. of Virginia. now tituiar
minority leader. entitled to the chair
manship OF commerce. District of Co
iumbia. or appropriations. IL T.Ilman
selects the navy committee.
Simmons. OF North Carolina. en-
titled to the Craftsmanship OF finance.
inter~oceanic canals of commerce,
dependent upon Martins choice.
Bacon. of Georgia. entitled to for
eign relations. judiciary and the all
powerful committee on rules
Bankhead. emitted to the chair
manship of agriculture. education and
labor. and postoffice and postroads.
Owens Il Engineer.
Senator Owen, OF Oklahoma, Is
engineering the movement To compel
division Of places of honor and Of
responsibility. A number of con-
ferrnces have been held at which
the conclusion was reached that as
the part, WAS to be held accountah l.
for the legislation of the next con-
krees. pr consi( Grafton should be
given In the senate to geographical
location OF senator's and division of
Legislative responsi bilities In such a
way as 10 make the senate most eff
cient and most responsive to the
wishes cf the people
The small coterie of senators who
stand at the top of the important
committees. by virtAs of their posi-
ton, are always made conferees in
all big Les slative questions in dis
pnte. CoIferces have more power in
this final stage OF legislation than
either the whole senate or house COM
bined. The Progressives do not in
tend thar this power longer shall be
welded ~ this small group of sena-
tors. who have not shown themselves
to be in sympathy with the policies
OF their party as voiced In the Balti-
more Platform.
At conference of Democrats this
morning, the question OF what to do
with the Taft appointments was re-
ferred to a committee consisting of
Senator'S Martin. Clarke. OF Arkansas
Hoke Smith. Owen and Stone.