The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-03-17
Democrats Are Doing Good
Work Towards This
End
NEW ENGLAND
SENATORS PLACED
Regret Expressed at the
Defamation of Richard o.
ney of Ambassadorship

Washington, March ia score fol
Democratic harmony was registered on
Saturday, when Democratic senators
brought in their committee assignments
The caucus arrangement, adopted after
many stormy sessions, went through
smoothly. Senator Tillman of South
Carolina deposed from his right under
the seniority rule to be chairman of APP
preparations, offered mild protest which
ne had written out and which his col
league, Senator Smith, read for him.
1t breathed acQuescence in the will OF
the majority and was in spirit that
made the progressive factionists look
up hopefully.
Probably the Democratic caucus, dom
mated by progressyes, has accomplished
an important task toward popularizing
the Senate. The success of their under
takings is yet to be tried out, but the
fact remains that they have wrought
sweeping reforms, such as the election
hereafter of their own ehairmen by COM
mttees and the smashing of the senior
ity consideration in making assignments.
The immediate advantage may not be
very large, but the shackles are loosened
so that in the future it should be easier
to put able senators into places of re-
sponsibility.
Much interest has centered upon the
organization of the new banking and
currency committee. Its makeup is dis
tinctively radical and largely of senators
with small legislative experience. The
Democratic side of the committee will
consist of Owen of Oklahoma, Hitchcock,
O'Gorman, Reed, Pomerene, Shafroth and
Hollis. Similarly in the additions to
the finance committee, which will have
charge of tariff legislation, the new
members are mostly radical Democrats. |
Shiyely of Indiana takes the place of |
Kern OF the same state, and the new
senators are Smith of Georgia, Thomas |
of Colorado, James of Kentucky, Hughes
of New Jersey and Gore of Oklahoma |
The same principle has been applied to
most of the so-ealled great commit
tees" of the Senate, like judiciary and
foreign relations, but in less degree.
Then it is noticeable that in the rear
OF names some of the Oldest l
senators are placed at the foot of the
list, which means that younger men will
come sooner to the heads of the COM
mittee tables.
1t is very noticeable that all sections
of the country have been well taken care
Of in making out these lists Nowhere
does this appear more forcible than with
reference to Senator Hollis of New
who took his seat on Sat
lrday, and Senator Johnosn of Maine,
who is just entering upon his third
year. They are the sole Democratic
representatives of New England in the
Senate. Within half hour after Sen
ltor Hollis had taken the oath of office
Saturday afternoon, he found himself
hartman Of the enrolled bills committee,
quite a signal distinction for a new SEN
tor a member Of the complete banking
md currency committee, with a half
lozen other assignments thrown in for
rood measure. Senator johnson, al.
hough given exceptional assignments /,
wo years ago, retains all he had and :
$ given two more desirable places.
There has been revival in patronage
ctivities, due perhaps to realization
hat the Senate will remain in extra SEES :
ion but a few days more and that !.
ardly any nominations will then be
nade till Congress assemblies during !,
arly April in extra session. The pur- !.
ose OF the administration to bring !.
ot Of strong men to Washington was
videnced anew in making ex-Gov. John !.
'urke OF North Dakota treasurer OF the I