Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-31
HOKE SMITH PLANS
TO MAKE u. S. SENATE
MORE DEMOCRATIC
Georgia Senator Who Has
Been Mentioned as the New
Leader Outlines His Views
for Recognizing Body

WAGhANGIONs Dec Su--Senator
eioke smith today amplined the plan
proposed for the reorganization of the
United states senate by the Democrats
when they assume control after March
The principal idea involved in the
contemplated changes is to make the
senate more democratic" and respOn-
sive 10 the wishes OF the people Of the
counfry
The scheme outlined by Senator Smith
involves a complete revolution OF senate
procedure in so far as Il relates 70 the
making up Of committees. recognizing
party leadership and choosing conferees
70 act with the house Ia shaping legis-
Iation
The movement apparently did not
originate with any particular senator.
but Is the fruiuon OF plans and sug-
gestions originating with many and con-
CURED inby a majority OF the men who
who viii compose the Democratic party
in the new senate.
Tie movement is admittedly imper-
scnal. and has for its object to relieve
the senate from much popular criticism.
Il do not undertake to speak for any
one except myself said Senator Smith
although Il is true that the sug-
gestions / make have originated from
other senator's as well as from myself,
I am opposed to arbitrary recognition
OF the rule of seniority either In the
cisairmanships or in the Organization
or committees in the senate.
Assignments to committee places
should be based upon the opinion OF the
Democratic caucus that the assignments
are made to bring about efficient work
in the senate. Chairmanships' OF COM
mittees should be filed solely for the
same reason.
SURVIVAL or FITTEST.
a senator who has served for a num-
Der or years on a committee. or who
has worked faithfully upon the commit
tee. would naturally be better prepared
than a new man 10 do the work Of the
-committee. but there might be a sena-
tor who had been for a long time on
TIE committee and had reached a lead
ING place on. the commits VINO had paid
wa4r lI4tls attention to the work and
wouId not Be as competent as new
man for the service.
Il favor action 81 the Democratic
caucus which win change the former
practice Of organizing committees. 50
that selections OF places and chairman
ships shall follow the conviction Of toe
members OF the caucus as TO the best
way 70 bring about proficient work
1t Is also true that the various
states are entitled TO representation
through their senators upon the various
important committees. and for this rea-
son / am opposed to letting a senator
who has served for many years on
that account mOnopolize more than a
reasonable number OF places upon prom
Inent committees
4 hone the Democratic caucus will
determine. FIRST to select by. the vote
OF caucus q committee on committees.
the duty OF which shall be 10 make as
signments OF senator's 10 the various
committees and to report their action
70 the caucus for approval or rejection
Heretofore the chairman OF the caucus
has been allowed 10 appoint the COM
rnittee on committees. ! think this
concentrates too much power in the
hands OF one man. and is undemo-
cratic.
INSTRUCTED BU CAUCUS
second. think that the committee
on committees should be instructed by
the caucus not 10 assign any senator
70 more than one place on the ave most
important EDuEllNNEE umNAA every @GnA-
tor has been az least offered an assign
ment on one OF these important commit
tees. This MODE Of assignment / consider
important not only because ito would
prevent a future senator. from monopo-
liking the business OF the senate. but
because the various states are entitled
10 representation through their senators
Jn these Important committees and IL is
not fair 20 the different states TO allow
-. -
have been here for some time. to hold
two or more places on these important
committees. leaving other states unrep-
resented.
Third. After the Democratic mem
bers CT the various committees have
been approved BY the caucus, q favor
Leaving Democrats on each committee
70 select their own chairman. l insist
that the chairman should finally be Sc
lected on ACCOUNT OF his fitness Tor the
place and not simply Because he has
happened to be on the committee for a
number Of years.
CHANGE OF CHAIRdEN.
Fourth. I favor the changing, with
the conclusion Of each congress. the po-
sitiOn Of chairman OF the Democratic
caucus \ believe such a course, even
though not taken in the next election.
would Be an excellent principle 70 fix
for future action. with a view Of
making the ORGANIZATION OF the senate
really Democratic and OF preventing it
from drifting into lines Of control by a
few men
Fifth I favor action by the Demo-
cratic caucus. which will provide in
future that the senate conferees TO meet
representatives of the house shall be
selected by the committees which they
are 10 represent. The whole plan Of
naming the three men who have stood
highest on tine committees as con-
ferees. has carried TO the conference,
within my observation. frequently one
or more men who knew nothing about
the subject. who had not been In their
committees when the work had been
done. who had not been on the floor OF
the senate when the legislation had
been discussed. and who turned up un-
der the application Of the rule OF SEMI
GRITTY 70 act as conferees without any
fitness az all TO act Tor the senate