The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-03-12
SENATOR THLMAN STANDS UP
FOR HIS RIGHTS
FIRST CAUCUS IS Held
The Senior Senator Declares Himself
Entitled to the Craftsmanship ofthe
Appropriation Committee by the
Rules and Custom Of the Senate
and He Should Have It.

When the Democrats Of the new
Senate met in caucus Wednesday to
elect chairman, there was no oppo-
sition to Senator John W. Kern OF
Indiana as the new leader. Senator
Martin of Virginia, retiring Demo
cratic leader, declared a few days
ago he was glad to lay down the re-
sponsibihties Of his Office.
The retirement of Senator Martin
and the candidacy of Senator Kern
end long struggle for control of the
Senate of the Sixty-third congress be-
tween the so-called progressive Dem
ocrats and the old conservatives. 1t
was generally understood there
would be no move to disturb the old
leaders in their committee assign
ments.
Immediately after the caucus as
sembled, Mr.. Kern was unanimously
chosen by acclamation. Senator New
lands Of Nevada was chosen vice
chairman, and Senator Salisbury Of
Delaware, one Of the newly elected
members of the body, was named as
secretary Of the caucus.
The caucus took up committee as
sigrments. The caucus authorized
Senator Kern to appoint a committee
Of nine to devise plan for the re-
organization Of the Senate commit
tees, with the understanding that he
should present his list to the caucus
at meeting later.
Senator Tillman made statement
reviewing his political course since
his entry into the Senate, explaining
his views as to the principles OF Sen
ate organization, arguing for the
basis Of seniority, and expressing his
personal preference for the chairman
ship Of the committee on appropria-
tions, to which, he said, he was en-
titled under all the rules heretofore
governing and the custom Of almost a
century.
In addition to the portion Of his
remarks which he made public, COW
ering four closely spaced typewrit-
ten pages, it was understood that
Senator Tillman told the caucus he
had consulted with President Wilson
as to the craftsmanship that he should
choose, and that Mr.. Wilson had urg-
ed him to select appropriations.
The statement also contained a
strongly eulogistic reference to Mr..
Bryan, now Secretary Of State. and
to the Senator's friendship for him
through thick and thin. Senator
Tillman said President Wilson was
heartily in favor Of rigid economy,
and that he was ready to back him IN
it. He was given close attention.
When it was suggested that Chair
man Kern select the steering COM
mittee, subject to approval Of the
caucus, Senator Ashurst, Of Arizona;
Senator Owen of Oklahoma, and 9TH
ers objected, declaring that in their
fight for the reorganization of the
Senate they had been contending for
a principle and that they had under
stood that the steering committee
was to bet elected outright by the
caucus.
They declared that to let Senator
Kern name the committee would be
continuing the same system that
prevailed when Senator Martin was
chairman.
By vote Of IS to 81, or there
about, the protest OF the insurgent
progressives overruled. There Is a
protest of some live Progressive
bucking against the Kern harmony
program" before the matters are set
tied. (