The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-05
CAUCUS NOMINATES
CLARK FOR SPEAKER
Kitchin Succeeds Underwood
as Democratic Floor
Leader.
PLAN FOR EXTRA SESSION

WASHINGTON, Feb. AT n caucus of
the Democratic Represent tives- elect to
the Sixty-fourth Congress held tonight,
Champ Clark Of Missouri was renom-
mated to the office Of Speaker and Rep
resentative Claude W. Kitchin of North
Carolina was named as floor leader to
succeed Senator-elect Oscar w. Under
wood. The Democrats otherwise per
tho event that the new Congress Is
called In special session.
The meeting was harmonious and the
mention Of President Wilson's name on
two or three occasions brought forth
cordial but not enthusiastic applause.
There was no opposition to the re-
nomination OF Speaker Clark. Every
body also knew there would be no op-
position to the election Of Mr.. kitchn
as leader.
There was mild interest in the cleo
ton of a chairman of the caucus an
office OF comparatively little importance.
\ vacancy was created by virtue Of the
retirement from Congress Of Represents
tive Palmer Of Pennsylvania. who was
defeated in his campaign for the Sena-
toship
Clark Thanks Caucus.
Speaker Clark thanked the Democrats
for honoring him with a third nomlna-
ton for Speaker. lie declared the flu
ture OF the Democratic party depended
upon its course Of action In the new
Congress. He adJured members to stick
to fhear ff,ls afNI to a 10 -.
business IN the next Congress In order
that the leaders might get into the cam
paign early in 1916 for the good Of the
party. The Speaker minated that, un-
less all Democrats worked AS a team, /"
they might encounter defeat In the next
Presidential election.
Mr.. Kitchin said It was the duty OF all
Democrats to stand by the National Ad-
ministration. There were a good many
grins as Mr.. Ktchin made this observa-
ton because IL was recalled that he
voted against President Wilson on the
Panama tolls proposition. and that only
to-day he voted to override the Presi-
dents veto on the imm grafton bill. Also.
reports have been in circulation for the
last week that Mr.. Kitchln Is out OF
tune with the Administration on the
ship purchase bill, that he may oppose
this measure and that he Is said to
favor moderate revision Of the tariff
before the 1915 Presidential election.
New Leader independent.
TO what extent Mr.. Kitchin will work
with the Administration in the new Con-
gress Is a matter OF concern among a
good many Democrats lie is known to
be ready at all times to part from his
party on matters of principle.
Six vacancies were filled on the Ways
and Means Committee. Of which Mr.
kitchin will be chairman. by the cleo
ton OF Representative Crisp OF Georgia.
Field Of Arkansas Casey Of Pennsyl-
wanna. Allen Of ohio, McGillicuddy of
Maine and Helvering Of Kansas.
The caucus then proceeded to reflect
the present officers In the House They
are South Trimblc OF Kentuck,. clerk
Robert g. Gordon of ohio, sergeant-at-
arms: j. 7 S'nnot, of Virginia dcor-
keeper r. NJ Dunbar OF Virginia, post
master. and the Rev. II. y. Couden OF
this city. chaplain.
Representatives Foster Of Illinois and
Saunders Of Virginia were the candi-
dates for the office Of chairman OF the
caucus. Mr. Saunders was elected by
a vote Of lOs TO Sc.