The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-06

WASHINGTON. March SENATOR
John Worth Kern. Of Indiana, was
elected chairman eff the Democratic
caucus today, succeeding Senator
Thomas S. Martin, of Virginia. who
withdrew from the race a few days
ago. Senator Francis @. SewlAnds. of
Nevada. was chosen vice chairman,
and Senator Willard Salisbury, of
Delaware, was elected secretary.
The eaHse4ts was harmonious. Eena-
toor Kern was authorized to appoint n
steering committee of nine members,
OF which he is to be the ex-officio
chairman. He will name this com
mittee tomorrow. following which the
committee will begin the work of the
assigning of Democrats TO committee
places.
TiIlman Gives Notice.
Senator Tillman. of South Carolina.
read a statement in the caucus, in
which he minated that he would ex-
pect TO he made chairman of the APP
preparations Committe to which he is
entitled under the seniority rule. He
declared he would also request the
right to name at least two new mem
bers to serve on that committee to aid
him in the heavy work
Senator Tillman declared he had
been dubbed "reactionary' recently
although when he came to Washing
ton eighteen years ago he was so ultra
radical iE his feelings and mtterances
that he was Stunned by many as the
wild man from Borneo-
Il was almost regarded as an an
archist,w said he THE people have
caught up and some Of those who
were then tagging behind and pulling
back are now leading the procession.
or trying to do 50. II is now fashion,
able 10 be progressive, whatever
=, ~, 4
all; l am simply "a Democrat still, as
/ have always beam and believe re-
ligiously in the principles of Democ-
racv as enunciated at BALTIMORE"
Senator Tillnan told the caucus
that leadership in the senate could
not be conferred upon any one by
vote Of the members of the senate.
He said that it must he won on the
floor, and that the man who aspired
to leadership must demonstrate his
ability as n debater his foresight and
acumen as a leader, his generalship
as a manager, and his capacity TO en-
list the support of his fellow sena-
tors He said that the complexion OF
the senate committee would determine
in large part whether the Wilson adj
ministration is to be success, and
insisted that no one man be allowed
to name the committees or place men
on them
Baiicy's Troubles.
There has been no leader in the
senate on the Democratic side in my
time" said Senator Tiilman Bailey
had the ability and knowledge of
public matters. but his infirmities OF
temper ana lack of tact made his
leadership unthiukabIe to some men.
Then envy and jealousy were at work
too"
Senator Kern declined today TO dis
cuss the personnel of the steering
committee that he will appoint. 1t Is
understood. however. that Senator
Martin the deposed chairman, viii be
given a place on the committee ir
the hope Of concIliating him. 1t is
probable that Senator Clarke. OF Ar
kansas another of the so-called corr
seryatives, Will be recognized on tn
steering committee Most of tbs
other members Will come from the
ranks of the so-called progressives,
and the new members will be given
recognition.
The steering committee Will act as
a committee on committees, and the
complexion of the majority members
ship on all the important committees
will be fixed by it, subject to the APP
prevail of the caucus Fhe fact that
the progressives under the leadership
Of Senator Kern will control the COM
mittee lends color to the belief that IL
the seniority rule is not shattered en-
tirely, il Will receive a sever joit In
n general reorganization. Some ~
The older senators who now hold
many important committee places
will he forced to yield some Of them
to make way for the younger blood
Party Becomes Progressive.
WASHINGTON Manch THE
sceptre Of political power in ths
United States senate passed across this
main aisle from the Republican 70 the
Democratic side today. It was sixna1s