The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-19
SENATOR O'GORMAN.
of New York.

chairman Of the FIVE leading com mittees
and should vest these five men with the
powers of a committee on committees TO
make all remaining committee assign
ments But after considering his propo-
sition in committee of the whole the
Senate rejected the scheme. II adopted
in its stead d plan by which all com
mittees should be appointed by the pre-
siding officer SO. for d while thereafter
the Vice Presidents or the Presidents
pro temDOre named committees sys-
tenn which proved unsatisfactory. and
winch was interpreted with periods
when the old ballot method was re-
sorted to.
\ fourth method grew ont Of Crisis
during the agitation over the war with
lfcxico Some democrats. combining
with the whiC- formed d bare majority
of one against the committees appointed
bv Vice president Dallas. So the I'M
Dortant war committees. as we'll a. that
on commerce. were that year electeu
bv ballot. and unanimous consent was
gwen for the fling of all others Dy the
two party caucus leaders
Thus came into being the two great
powers that have since shaped the
destinics of the Senate. save at a time
when that handful Of insurgents. the
original Republicans Of the Senate.
refused 10 make unanimous the consent
necessary TO waive the stlli standing
ballot rule With these exceptions. the
marty caucuses have filed the Senate
committees for fftv-four years
Powers Of Caucus Chairmen-
The powers Of the caucus chairnen
grew as the system developed. so that
each came 70 he intrusted with the
responsibility Of appointing his party
important caucus committees
These caucus committees do not
apDear listed IN tho Congressional
Directory They are not oficial-are
mere instruments for party expediency.
But they have grown 20 be the powers
that organize and direct the party :
forces upon the Senate floor
Today Thomas Staples Martin. OF
Virginia prcsides oyer the De-. ccratic
senators when thcy meet IN caucus-or
conference. ae they prefer TO call II
20 decide upon questions Of party
uoiicv lie was chosen FOR this char
rnan-htn by hrs psrtys vote. and under
tho system which has existed Tor years
hc would continue % he same power N
tho next Congress soon TO meet
10 extra session.
senate Democrats have hitherto yielded
10 him tho same power which Reed and
Cannon held over The House Of Repre-
scntafivcs lie aupoir>s the ah-in
porfanf caucus committees which. az
though never listed ~ fnc Conrressiona
Directory. nevertheless have a ereatci
potency ia shaping and directing th'
rartvs activities in ihe Senate thar
any 81 the Official icgislafivc committees
Appoints Himself Chairman.
should the old order prevail stte'
March q, whcn the Democratic Senat'
rs.fs o. helr frame new tariff fesisla
fton according &C. custom. AZ Demo
. cratic caucus chairman. would immedi
afcfv appoint caucus COMMITTEE
on committees and name hirnsrf ~
chairman nis committee nc Nvr.'
name according - the seniority rule
and 30 would BE- charged With tnc tasl
81 rnovins up veteran Democrats =
appointing now Democrats % NJ com
J. -,if.co varan~ies This task Of NOV
ine up veterans the COMMITTEES on com
rniftces always finds 20 be an cas-
matter. - here the seniority RUE asatns
which tho progressive Democrat
will wage their warfare again governs
According 10 this rule. = senator ono