The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-12-05
DEMOCRATS TO CURB
GLARS OF SENATE

WASHINGTON, ID. c. Special.
Control of the important commit
tees OF the Senate In the next Con-
gress, when that body will be UNI
der Democratic domination, has
become a question OF pressing inn
pOrtance. The matter Is cOnSid-
cred so vital TO the shaping OF
legislation and Democratic l,OncieS
I'm the new Congress that party
leaders now here are discussing
IL with a view to securing imme-
diate action.
It Is expected that some form of
aDemocraticS Senate caucus or corr
ference will be held next week, TO
take preliminary steps toward re-
organization. The issue has prac-
tically taken the form of an ulti-
matum from the newer Demo-
cratic senators, I'm which number
are included many OF the most
active members of that body, that
they mast have their share of the
important committee places, or
they viii overturn the established
order OF seniority That has long
been the bulvark of "Old menu
bers' control" i'm the Senate.
SENIORITY A STUMBLING
BLOCK.
The Senate committees not only
exercise a practical control over
all legislation of Congress, but
they will control no little patron
age. The agitation in Democratic
ranks has arisen from the fact
that a few Democrats long in the
Senate held the ranking positions
on practically all the important
committees. II the rules of
seniority are followed each will
be allowed to pick the chairman
ship OF one OF these committees,
and at the same time hold second
position on others.
Among the more important
committees that have been con-
sidered the controlling factors i'm
all important legislation, are
those on Finance, Appropriations,
Interstate Commerce, Naval At
fairs, the Judiciary, Foreign Re
latiOns, Military Affairs, Rules
and Agriculture.
Several propositions for a
change have been advanced. The
most generally accepted OF them
would give each of the old sena-
tors his choice of one important
committeShip, the other COM
maHdtng places on the committee
to be yielded, then. to the newer
members.
EIGHT PLACES TO TTLLNfAN.
Senators Bacon, TilIman and
Martin, who entered the Senate I'm
1895, head the Democratic menu
berShtp of many committees. Sem
atOr Tillman is the ranking DEM
ocratic member of eight commit
tees, and under the seniority Sys-
tenn would be entitled, in the new
Congress, to take the chairman
ship of one and hold the second
position on all the others. Under
the proposed plan. nc would be
entitled TO select a craftsmanship,
but would then have TO give sec
Ond place on the other commit
tees to members not now holding
the important positions.
Among the committees ever
which Senator TiIIman would ex-
ercise control are Appropriations,
Interstate Commerce and Naval
Affairs. Senator Bacon COM
mandS first place on five COM
mittccS, among them Foreign Re
lations, Judiciary and Rules, three
of the best committees on the
list. In addition TO being chair
man of the Democratic caucus,
Senator Martin could be chair
man OF either of four committees,
including Commerce.
OTHERS WHO ARE INVOLVED.
Senator Culberson, who came
in four years later than either of
these three, is the ranking Demo-
crat on four committees, and in
addition on the fourth of March
will hold second place on Appro-
priationS and judiciary, giving
him his choice OF the chairman-
ship of either of those two IL
Senator Bacon should vacate his
position on Judiciary for the
Craftsmanship of Foreign ReIa-
lions, or IL Senator TiIlman should
foregO his opportunity to become
chairman of Appropriations.
Senator Simmons, who entered
the Senate as late as 1901, would
have his choice of the chairman
ships OF as many as six commit
tees, including Finance. Other
members who will have a wide
range of choice are Senators
Bankhead and Johnston. OF Ala
bama; Clarke and Davis, OF Arkan-
sas; Newlands, of Nevada; Over
man, of North Carolina; Smith, OF
Maryland, and Stone, of Missouri.