[Senate Document 105-20]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
MINUTES OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC
CONFERENCE
1903-1964
MINUTES OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC
CONFERENCE
Fifty-eighth Congress through Eighty-eighth Congress
1903-1964
Edited by
Donald A. Ritchie
U.S. Senate Historical Office
Prepared under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington
105th Congress
S. Doc. 105-20
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington: 1998
Cover illustration: The Senate Caucus Room, where the PDemocratic
Conference often met early in the twentieth century. Senate Historical
Office.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Senate Democratic Conference (U.S.)
Minutes of the Senate Democratic Conference : Fifty-eighth
Congress through Eighty-eighth Congress, 1903-1964 / edited by Donald A.
Ritchie ; prepared under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. United States. Congress. Senate--History--20th century--
Sources. 2. Democratic Party (U.S.)--History--20th century--Sources.
I. Ritchie, Donald A., 1945- . II. United States. Congress.
Senate. Office of the Secretary. III. Title.
JK1161.S445 1999
328.73'07657--dc21
98-42670
CIP
CONTENTS
Foreword.......................................... xiii
Preface........................................... xv
Introduction...................................... xvii
58th Congress (1903-1905)
March 16, 1903................................ 1
December 12, 1903............................. 2
December 14, 1903............................. 3
December 15, 1903............................. 3
December 16, 1903............................. 5
January 23, 1904.............................. 6
59th Congress (1905-1907)
December 8, 1905.............................. 7
February 3, 1906.............................. 8
June 9, 1906.................................. 9
June 21, 1906................................. 10
60th Congress (1907-1909)
December 3, 1907.............................. 11
December 16, 1907............................. 12
January 25, 1908.............................. 18
61st Congress (1909-1911)
March 5, 1909................................. 21
March 22, 1909................................ 23
April 14, 1909................................ 28
April 16, 1909................................ 29
December 6, 1909.............................. 30
December 9, 1909.............................. 30
February 10, 1911............................. 36
62nd Congress (1911-1913)
April 7, 1911................................. 39
June 1, 1912.................................. 41
63rd Congress (1913-1915)
March 5, 1913................................. 43
March 6, 1913................................. 45
March 7, 1913................................. 48
March 8, 1913................................. 50
March 15, 1913................................ 51
March 17, 1913................................ 72
April 8, 1913................................. 74
May 5, 1913................................... 76
May 6, 1913................................... 76
May 19, 1913.................................. 77
May 28, 1913.................................. 78
June 20, 1913................................. 79
June 21, 1913................................. 80
June 23, 1913................................. 80
June 24, 1913................................. 82
June 25, 1913................................. 83
June 26, 1913................................. 88
June 27, 1913................................. 88
June 28, 1913................................. 92
June 30, 1913................................. 96
July 1, 1913.................................. 103
July 2, 1913.................................. 111
July 3, 1913.................................. 115
July 5, 1913.................................. 120
July 7, 1913.................................. 122
August 14, 1913............................... 127
August 15, 1913............................... 129
September 2, 1913............................. 130
September 3, 1913............................. 132
September 5, 1913............................. 135
October 1, 1913............................... 143
November 26, 1913............................. 147
November 27, 1913............................. 150
November 28, 1913............................. 153
November 29, 1913............................. 155
November 30, 1913............................. 156
December 17, 1913............................. 161
December 18, 1913............................. 164
July 1, 1914.................................. 167
July 22, 1914................................. 169
October 6, 1914............................... 172
October 7, 1914............................... 174
December 12, 1914............................. 179
January 16, 1915.............................. 181
January 18, 1915.............................. 183
January 20, 1915.............................. 185
January 21, 1915.............................. 186
January 22, 1915.............................. 188
January 23, 1915.............................. 189
February 2, 1915.............................. 194
February 13, 1915............................. 196
64th Congress (1915-1917)
November 29, 1915............................. 201
December 1, 1915.............................. 203
December 2, 1915.............................. 205
December 3, 1915.............................. 208
December 4, 1915.............................. 212
March 16, 1916................................ 214
April 19, 1916................................ 215
July 5, 1916.................................. 217
July 7, 1916.................................. 219
July 8, 1916.................................. 219
July 15, 1916................................. 222
July 25, 1916................................. 224
July 31, 1916................................. 228
August 10, 1916............................... 231
August 11, 1916............................... 232
August 12, 1916............................... 233
August 13, 1916............................... 237
August 14, 1916............................... 242
December 13, 1916............................. 243
January 8, 1917............................... 245
January 25, 1917.............................. 247
February 9, 1917.............................. 248
February 10, 1917............................. 250
February 11, 1917............................. 252
65th Congress (1917-1919)
March 6, 1917................................. 257
March 7, 1917................................. 260
March 12, 1917................................ 263
February 13, 1919............................. 274
66th Congress (1919-1921)
May 17, 1919.................................. 277
May 26, 1919.................................. 280
November 6, 1919.............................. 288
January 15, 1920.............................. 290
February 7, 1920.............................. 296
April 27, 1920................................ 299
May 21, 1920.................................. 300
67th Congress (1921-1923)
March 5, 1921................................. 303
68th Congress (1923-1925)
December 3, 1923.............................. 305
April 26, 1924................................ 307
April 28, 1924................................ 308
69th Congress (1925-1927)
March 6, 1925................................. 311
December 9, 1925.............................. 314
December 7, 1926.............................. 315
70th Congress (1927-1929)
March 5, 1927................................. 319
January 19, 1928.............................. 320
January 21, 1928.............................. 324
January 9, 1929............................... 325
71st Congress (1929-1931)
March 5, 1929................................. 327
April 25, 1929................................ 329
72nd Congress (1931-1933)
December 4, 1931.............................. 331
July 8, 1932.................................. 334
July 9, 1932.................................. 336
December 23, 1932............................. 337
73rd Congress (1933-1935)
March 6, 1933................................. 339
March 14, 1933................................ 343
April 30, 1934................................ 346
74th Congress (1935-1937)
January 2, 1935............................... 349
May 10, 1935.................................. 350
75th Congress (1937-1939)
July 22, 1937................................. 353
December 31, 1938............................. 354
76th Congress (1939-1941)
April 19, 1939................................ 357
77th Congress (1941-1943)
January 4, 1941............................... 359
July 10, 1941................................. 361
78th Congress (1943-1945)
January 7, 1943............................... 363
January 19, 1943.............................. 367
February 24, 1944............................. 370
79th Congress (1945-1947)
January 5, 1945............................... 375
February 1, 1945.............................. 379
April 19, 1945................................ 380
July 27, 1945................................. 382
October 11, 1945.............................. 383
80th Congress (1947-1949)
January 2, 1947............................... 387
March 6, 1947................................. 396
May 16, 1947.................................. 400
July 10, 1947................................. 403
March 16, 1948................................ 406
August 7, 1948................................ 408
December 31, 1948............................. 410
81st Congress (1949-1951)
February 1, 1949.............................. 420
February 6, 1949.............................. 423
February 23, 1949............................. 425
April 11, 1949................................ 427
June 3, 1949.................................. 431
September 8, 1949............................. 434
January 5, 1950............................... 437
January 17, 1950.............................. 444
January 26, 1950.............................. 448
February 21, 1950............................. 452
June 7, 1950.................................. 455
July 19, 1950................................. 459
August 21, 1950............................... 460
December 12, 1950............................. 466
82nd Congress (1951-1953)
January 2, 1951............................... 471
February 22, 1951............................. 477
June 26, 1951................................. 479
August 23, 1951............................... 480
October 3, 1951............................... 480
March 21, 1952................................ 481
May 15, 1952.................................. 484
83rd Congress (1953-1955)
January 2, 1953............................... 487
84th Congress (1955-1957)
January 4, 1955............................... 495
85th Congress (1957-1959)
January 3, 1957............................... 501
January 7, 1958............................... 505
86th Congress (1959-1961)
January 7, 1959............................... 509
January 7, 1960............................... 515
January 12, 1960.............................. 524
January 20, 1960.............................. 544
February 15, 1960............................. 557
February 18, 1960............................. 572
87th Congress (1961-1963)
January 3, 1961............................... 577
January 4, 1961............................... 581
January 5, 1961............................... 583
January 10, 1961.............................. 585
February 27, 1961............................. 588
February 7, 1962.............................. 591
March 13, 1962................................ 593
May 2, 1962................................... 598
June 6, 1962.................................. 599
June 7, 1962.................................. 603
88th Congress (1963-1965)
January 9, 1963............................... 607
February 7, 1963.............................. 613
March 28, 1963................................ 619
November 4, 1963.............................. 622
January 8, 1964............................... 625
January 28, 1964.............................. 629
May 19, 1964.................................. 634
July 20, 1964................................. 638
July 27, 1964................................. 642
August 3,1964................................. 648
August 10, 1964............................... 651
August 17, 1964............................... 655
Appendix A: Democratic Conference Officers, 1903-
1964............................................ 657
Appendix B: Members of the Senate Democratic
Conference, 1903-1964........................... 659
Index............................................. 669
FOREWORD
In 1991 the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress unanimously
recommended that these minutes, and their Republican counterparts, be
edited for publication. The discussions they contain tell a great deal
about the development of our party's organization during these formative
decades from before World War I to the mid-1960s.
I am delighted to have played a role in making these minutes available
and hope they will prove a source of illumination to my colleagues, to
scholars, and to the American people.
Thomas A. Daschle
Senate Democratic Leader and
Chairman, Democratic Conference
PREFACE
These conference minutes add significantly to our knowledge of the
Senate's institutional development during the first two-thirds of the
twentieth century. Their publication, on the unanimous recommendation of
the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress, serves as a further
demonstration of the Senate's desire to open its historical records in a
timely and useful manner. As the Senate officer responsible for
preserving and making publicly available this body's noncurrent records,
I take particular pleasure in this volume's release. Over the past five
years, the Senate Historical Office, operating under the Secretary of
the Senate's supervision, has carefully transcribed, annotated, edited,
and indexed the minutes of both party conferences. Special thanks go to
my predecessors Walter J. Stewart and Kelly D. Johnston for coordinating
this project with the Senate's party leaders, and to party secretaries
Elizabeth B. Greene and Martin P. Paone for their generous cooperation.
Within the Senate Historical Office, I wish to acknowledge Senate
Historian Richard A. Baker, who has resolutely advocated this enterprise
almost since his appointment in 1975, and to Associate Historian Donald
A. Ritchie and Historical Editor Wendy Wolff, the two professional staff
members who did the hard work of transcribing, editing, and annotating.
Wendy Wolff also prepared the detailed index that greatly enhances this
work's reference value.
Gary Sisco
Secretary of the Senate
INTRODUCTION
The Development of Senate Party Caucuses
The authors of the United States Constitution did not anticipate
political parties and therefore made no provisions for political
organizations within Congress. Yet party caucuses--meetings open only to
members of the same party--emerged early in the histories of both the
Senate and the House of Representatives and over time became the
``fountainhead'' of political power in Congress. Caucuses, later called
conferences, took responsibility for choosing party candidates for such
officers of the Senate as the president pro tempore, the chaplain, the
secretary of the Senate, and the sergeant at arms. They also selected
the majority and minority leaders and whips, the policy committees,
steering committees, and members of all the standing and special
committees. Depending upon the particular time, the issues, the
incumbent president, the inclinations of the leadership, and the party's
numerical strength, caucuses have attempted to maintain party unity and
promote the party's program. 1
``Caucus'' derived from an Algonquian Indian word for counselors.
Before the American Revolution, secret caucuses within the colonial
legislatures plotted opposition to British-appointed governors. By the
time the First Congress met in 1789, the term ``caucusing'' had become a
commonplace expression for any private conference of likeminded
legislators. Between 1796 and 1836, formal congressional caucuses
nominated candidates for president of the United States--until protests
against ``King Caucus'' led to the convening of national party
conventions. Less regularly during these early congresses, party
caucuses met to plan strategy dealing with legislation, nominations, and
treaties. When the Jeffersonian Republicans won control of Congress in
1800, the Federalist minority accused the majority of trying to
reconcile their differences in caucuses before debating anything in
public, thereby treating the minority as ``nullities.'' When legislation
dealing with the purchase of Louisiana reached the Senate, a Federalist
senator complained that ``the democratic senators held a Caucus last
evening in which they settled the principles of the bill--and agreed to
the same in the Senate without any debate.'' 2
Caucus innovations generally emerged from the majority party and were
later adopted by the minority. Prior to the Civil War, when Democrats
more often held the majority, the Democratic caucus originated the
practice of submitting slates of names of its members for committee
assignments (rather than have the Senate as a whole elect committee
members as was the practice before 1846). Republicans gained the
majority during the Civil War and held it for most of the remainder of
the nineteenth century. During this era, Republican senators made their
party caucus a vehicle for scheduling legislation on the floor, a
function that they eventually assigned to a steering committee within
the caucus. Republicans also established a committee on committees to
make party assignments to the standing committees. Senate Democrats
adopted similar committees during the two congresses in which they held
the majority between the Civil War and the end of the century. By
contrast, in the twentieth century Democrats held the majority more
frequently than Republicans. During this time, the Democratic Conference
invented such offices as the majority leader and whip, which in turn
were adopted by the Republicans. 3
Senators have also attempted to exert party discipline through their
caucuses. In December 1858, the Democratic caucus voted to remove
Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas as chairman of the Committee on
Territories, because of his opposition to President James Buchanan's
plans for the organization of the Kansas territory. Similarly, in 1871,
the Senate Republican caucus deposed Massachusetts Senator Charles
Sumner as chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, after he opposed
President U.S. Grant's plans to annex Santo Domingo. Senator Sumner had
also refused to acknowledge that his party caucus could limit the topics
for consideration on the floor or tie senators' hands in advance.
Nevertheless, by 1900 the two party caucuses controlled both committee
assignments and calendars and imposed what one scholar has called
``unprecedented discipline'' on roll-call votes. 4
The progressive reform movement at the opening of the twentieth
century had a significant impact on the congressional caucuses.
Suspicious of any exercise of power in secret meetings, the progressives
discredited the term ``caucus,'' which increasingly came to be replaced
by ``conference.'' Republicans officially designated their meetings as
conferences in January 1913, while the Democrats switched from caucus to
conference more informally. Although the two terms continue to be used
interchangeably, ``caucus'' came to refer to those attempts at binding
the party's vote, while ``conference'' referred to the election of
officers and the general discussions of legislative business.
5 For instance, on April 19, 1916, while debating a tariff on
sugar, Nevada Senator Francis G. Newlands asked whether the meeting was
a conference or a caucus--that is, whether those participating in the
meeting were to be bound by its actions. The chairman declared the
meeting to be a conference and explained that it would not ``assume the
character of a caucus'' unless two-thirds of the Democratic senators
first voted to make the question ``a party question.'' At that point,
Georgia Senator Thomas W. Hardwick rose to state that unless the caucus
coerced him he would ``use every means in his power'' to prevent the
Senate from adopting the House version of the bill. But Hardwick added
that if bound by the caucus he would ``submit to such vote as a good
party man.''
A keen observer of the caucus' potential was the political scientist
Woodrow Wilson. In his book, Congressional Government, published in
1885, Wilson had argued that ``No one is the Senator. No one may speak
for his party as well as for himself; no one exercises the special trust
of acknowledged leadership.'' However, by 1908, in his study
Constitutional Government in the United States, Wilson had identified
the chairman of the majority caucus as the leader of the Senate: ``Each
party in the Senate finds its real, its permanent, its effective
organization in its caucus, and follows the leadership, in all important
political battles, of the chairman of that caucus, its organization and
leadership alike resting upon arrangements quite outside the
Constitution, for which there is no better and no other sanction than
human nature.'' 6
The Democratic Conference, 1903-1964
Democrats held the majority from 1879 to 1881, and again from 1893 to
1895. In 1894, Maryland Senator Arthur Pue Gorman, as chair of the
Democratic caucus, concluded that without an effective caucus ``we
should have passed through the session with divisions as wide upon this
side as it is possible to conceive of within a party.'' Perhaps because
of their long years in the minority, Democrats had concentrated their
party leadership more than did the Republicans, allowing their caucus
chairman to head both the Steering Committee and Committee on Committees
(during their years in the minority these committees were merged). In
1898, Gorman was defeated for reelection, but he returned to the Senate
in March 1903, and once again was elected caucus chairman. Seeking
further stability in their party organization, Democrats at that time
adopted a ``binding'' rule by which members agreed to support any issue
that received a two-thirds vote in the caucus. At the same time, Gorman
began keeping regular minutes of the caucus proceedings. During the
years that the Democrats remained in the minority, prior to 1913, Senate
committee assignments and patronage issues initially predominated on the
conference agenda.7
In 1912, Wilson won election as the Democratic candidate for president
of the United States, and Democrats won the majority in both the Senate
and House. Putting his theories into practice, Wilson was determined to
make his party ``a disciplined instrument'' to enact his New Freedom
program. He worked closely with the Democratic caucus to forge his
legislative agenda within his party, rather than seek coalitions with
progressive Republicans. The Senate Democratic caucus elected the
progressive-minded freshman Senator John Worth Kern as its chairman and
its de facto majority leader--although he never held that title
officially. Kern called regular meetings of the caucus, particularly to
debate the tariff, long a defining issue for the Democratic party. The
caucus played a similar role in shaping legislation creating the Federal
Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission, the pillars of Wilson's
``New Freedom'' program.8
Kern was defeated for reelection in 1916, and Senate Democratic
leadership reverted to the senior party member, Thomas S. Martin, a
conservative Virginia Democrat, and caucus meetings were held less
frequently. The ``binding'' rule was revived in 1917, to promote party
unity in enacting the Senate's first cloture rule to limit debate during
filibusters. Wilson had been angered when a band of antiwar senators,
whom he dubbed a ``little group of willful men,'' filibustered
legislation to permit the arming of American merchant ships prior to
U.S. entry into the First World War. The new rule permitted debate to be
cut off by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. In subsequent decades,
filibusters were most frequently employed to block the passage of civil
rights legislation, and the Democratic caucuses would confront the
difficult issue of further liberalizing the cloture rule.9
After the frequent meetings called under Senator Kern's leadership,
the Democratic Conference was convened far less often during the long
and dynamic tenure of Arkansas Senator Joseph T. Robinson. Minority
leader from 1923 to 1933, and majority leader from 1933 to his death in
1937, Robinson called conferences only at the beginning of sessions to
elect officers and conduct routine business. In 1928, however, he used a
vote of the Conference to support his leadership against attack from
Alabama's fiery Senator Thomas Heflin.
On March 6, 1933, when the Democrats retook the majority after
fourteen years in the minority, and with the administration of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt ready to tackle the crisis of the Great
Depression, Majority Leader Robinson attempted to restore the binding
caucus rule that the Wilson administration had used so effectively a
generation earlier:
RESOLVED, That until further ordered the Chairman is
authorized to convene Democratic Senators in caucus for
the purpose of considering any measure recommended by
the President; and that all Democratic Senators shall be
bound by the vote of the majority of the caucus;
Provided that any Senator may be excused from voting for
any such measure upon his express statement to the
caucus that said measure is contrary to his
conscientious judgment or that said measure is in
violation of pledges made to his constituents as a
candidate.
However, Louisiana's independent-minded Senator Huey Long immediately
insisted that he would not be bound by any caucus. Other senators also
asserted that they would vote their own consciences regardless of caucus
rulings. Robinson retreated and thereafter used the Conference
sparingly. Increasingly larger Democratic majorities in the Senate also
relieved Robinson of the burden of maintaining party unity through the
Conference. Robinson's successor as majority leader, Alben Barkley of
Kentucky, similarly refrained from calling many party meetings. Although
Barkley ostensibly led the largest majority in modern history, Senate
Democratic ranks had divided sharply in response to President
Roosevelt's plan to ``pack'' the Supreme Court in 1937, a division that
took years to heal. Under those circumstances, Conference meetings
offered Barkley anything but harmony. Ultimately, however, Barkley did
draw strength from the caucus, which unanimously reelected him in 1944,
following his resignation as majority leader over President Roosevelt's
veto of a revenue bill that Barkley had endorsed.10
When Barkley became vice president in 1949, Senate Democratic
leadership passed to his whip, Illinois Senator Scott Lucas, who sought
to revive the Conference with regular meetings on President Harry S.
Truman's legislative program. Defeated for reelection in 1950, Lucas was
succeeded by Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland, who similarly looked to
the party conferences to strengthen his leadership. McFarland was
defeated for reelection in 1952, and the following year Senate Democrats
elected Texas Senator Lyndon B. Johnson as Conference chairman and floor
leader. In the mode of Joe Robinson and Alben Barkley before him,
Johnson rarely called conferences, except at the beginning of each
session.
Johnson's concentration of power in the leadership rather than the
Democratic Conference worked best when the two parties were narrowly
divided in the Senate. However, in 1959, shortly after Democrats won a
landslide majority in the Senate, freshman Senator William Proxmire of
Wisconsin took the floor to lament that ``the Democratic conference or
caucus is dead.'' Noting that only two conferences had been called
during his two years in the Senate, Proxmire offered as an epitaph:
Here lies the Democratic caucus
Conceived by senatorial responsibility
And born with the Democratic Party--1800
Assassinated at the hand of senatorial indifference--1953.
``She labored faithfully and well to make Senatorial
leadership responsible to all the people.''
Senator Proxmire pointed out that ``there is one body and only one
body to which all Democratic Senators and only Democratic Senators
belong. That is the Democratic conference--in the past years called the
Democratic caucus.'' He argued that ``During much of the history of the
Senate the party conference or caucus has given all Democratic Senators
their opportunity to exercise their right and fulfill their duty in
determining our party's program and policies.'' By the late 1950s,
Proxmire argued that due to the diminution of the party conferences,
``the typical Democratic Senator has literally nothing to do with
determining the legislative program and policies of this party in the
Senate.'' Proxmire called for ``a greater degree of democracy in our
party in the Senate,'' by calling regular meetings of the Conference
``to permit all Senators to know where the leadership intends to take
us, and to permit the membership, if it cares to do so, to indicate
whether or not it wants to go there.'' 11
Majority Leader Johnson publicly doubted that the Democratic
Conference could be a productive tool, and privately worried that
frequent party conferences might prove more divisive than unifying for
the party. ``There may be some who attribute to me power and influence
which I do not possess,'' Johnson argued, ``but I can say in good
conscience, and give my word for whatever it may be worth, that if I had
caucused all day and night, I doubt whether anything I might have said
would have changed the viewpoint'' of other Democratic senators.
However, Johnson responded to his critics by convening conferences to
discuss specific issues. 12
Johnson's election as vice president in 1960 brought a vastly
different style of party leadership under Montana Senator Mike
Mansfield, who chaired the Democratic Conference and served as majority
leader from 1961 to 1977. Believing that responsibility for moving the
legislative agenda should be shared by all senators and not simply the
leadership, Mansfield saw the Conference as a means of building
consensus within the party. The Democratic Conference determined that
regional and philosophical balance should be established on all party
committees, and that no senator, except the Conference chairman, should
sit on both the Steering and the Policy committees.13
Editorial Method
The minutes of the Democratic Conference from 1903 to 1964 cover sixty
years and the activities of 316 Democratic senators. They span an era
that opened with concern over the treatment of Civil War veterans still
serving on the Senate staff, and conclude with a reference to the
enactment of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. They offer insights into the
senators who sponsored such monumental legislation as the Federal
Reserve Act of 1913, the Social Security Act of 1935, and the Civil
Rights Act of 1964.
Rarely verbatim, the minutes are formal in nature. But they contain
occasional flashes of levity, as on June 24, 1913, when Conference
Secretary Willard Saulsbury noted why he had missed some of the debate
over the tariff: ``Chairman here interfered with the duties of the
Secretary by telling his laughing hyena story.'' On November 27, 1913,
when the chair ruled against Senator Saulsbury's motion to adjourn for
Thanksgiving, the Secretary took revenge by referring to the action in
the minutes he was keeping as: ``the steamroller having been oiled up
and brought in.'' One notes also that on January 25, 1917, the
conference passed a resolution of appreciation to the Manitou Spring
Water Company of Colorado for having furnished the Conference with a
complimentary case of its ginger ale.
The Democratic Conference minutes were reproduced from those held in
custody by the party secretary for the use of the Conference. In 1993
microform copies were deposited in the National Archives, where they
will be opened for research. These minutes begin in 1903, when Senator
Arthur Pue Gorman resumed the Conference chairmanship, and when the
conference first established a ``binding'' rule, making record keeping
more essential. Minutes of a few early meetings were not included in the
official minutes but were found in Senator Gorman's personal papers.
Over the years a succession of Conference secretaries recorded the
minutes, adopting different styles and varying the amount of material
included. The earliest minutes were handwritten; later minutes were
typed with occasional handwritten addenda.
The transcripts have sought to remain faithful to the original texts,
with the exception of silently correcting small typographical errors,
maintaining some consistency in capitalization and punctuation, and
providing full words in place of abbreviations. Occasionally, an obvious
typographical error (such as describing a Senate committee room as Ways
and Means instead of Finance) has been corrected by inserting the
correct word in brackets. In general, spelling has not been altered, so
that a word like ``subcommittee'' may be spelled in a variety of ways
over the sixty-year period of these minutes. To provide historical
context for the documents, the editor has added introductory notes for
each Congress, explanatory information in brackets (including
identification for House members, Republican senators, and other
noncaucus members mentioned only by last name), and occasional
footnotes. Appendix B lists the full names, states, and dates of service
of all Democratic senators during this period, including those who
served only briefly and thus are not mentioned within the minutes.
Donald A. Ritchie
Senate Historical Office
Notes
1. Remarks by Senator William Proxmire, Congressional Record, 23
February 1959, 86th Congress, 1st sess., p. 2814.
2. Robert Luce, Legislative Procedure: Parliamentary Practices and
the Course of Business in the Framing of Statutes (New York: Da
Capo Press, 1972 [1922]), pp. 506-10; Noble E. Cunningham, Jr.,
The Process of Government Under Jefferson (Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 1978), pp. 280-82.
3. U.S., Congress, Senate, The Senate, 1789-1989: Addresses on the
History of the United States Senate, by Robert C. Byrd, S. Doc.
100-20, 100th Congress, 1st sess., vol. 2, 1991, p. 219.
4. David J. Rothman, Politics and Power: The United States Senate,
1868-1901 (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1966), pp. 4,
18-25.
5. George H. Haynes, The Senate of the United States: Its History
and Practice (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1938), vol. 1, pp. 474-
89.
6. Woodrow Wilson, Congressional Government: A Study in American
Politics (Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1956 [1885]), p.
147; Woodrow Wilson, Constitutional Government in the United
States (New York; Columbia University Press, 1908), p. 133.
7. Rothman, pp. 61-63, 68; see also John R. Lambert, Arthur Pue
Gorman (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1953).
8. Dewey W. Grantham, The Life & Death of the Solid South: A
Political History (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky,
1988), p. 66; Byrd, The Senate, 1789-1989, vol. 1, 1989, pp.
407-29.
9. See Thomas W. Ryley, A Little Group of Willful Men: A Study of
Congressional-Presidential Authority (Port Washington, NY:
Kennikat Press, 1975).
10. Donald A. Ritchie, ``Alben W. Barkley; The President's Man,''
in Richard A. Baker and Roger H. Davidson, eds., First Among
Equals: Outstanding Senate Leaders of the Twentieth Century
(Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 1991), pp. 144-50.
11. Congressional Record, 86th Congress, 1st sess., pp. 2814-20.
12. Ibid., p. 9262.
13. Ross K. Baker, ``Mike Mansfield and the Birth of the Modern
Senate,'' Baker and Davidson, eds., First Among Equals, pp. 264-
94.
Fifty-eighth Congress (1903-1905)
[Editor's Note: President Theodore Roosevelt called the Senate into
special session on March 5, 1903 to consider the ratification of the
Hay-Herran Treaty with the Republic of Colombia to construct an
interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama. On March 17, the Senate
approved the treaty by a vote of 73 to 5, but Colombia refused to accept
the treaty.
During the Fifty-eighth Congress, Senate Democrats were in the
minority by a margin of 33 to 57. On March 6, the Democratic Conference
(alternately identified as the Democratic caucus) elected Senator Arthur
Pue Gorman of Maryland as chairman. No minutes exist of that meeting,
which was reported in the following day's Washington Post. Senator
Gorman had previously chaired the caucus from 1889 to 1893, and again
from 1893 until his defeat for reelection in 1899; he won another term
in the Senate in 1902. Also on March 6, 1903, Senator Edward W. Carmack
of Tennessee was elected Democratic Conference secretary; the Conference
increased the Democratic Steering Committee from seven to nine members;
and the Steering Committee was instructed to recommend Democratic
appointments to Senate committees, subject to ratification by the
Conference.]
____________________________________________________
[March 16, 1903]
MARCH 16, 1903
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From 1903 to 1911, the Minority Conference met in room 24 on the
gallery floor of the Senate wing of the Capitol. This room was
subsequently renumbered S-311 and renamed the ``Senate Wives' Lounge.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 16, 1903.
The Conference was called to order at 10:30 a.m., Senator Gorman
presiding, with the following Senators present: Messrs. Bacon, Bailey,
Bate, Berry, Blackburn, Carmack, Clark of Montana, Clay, Cockrell,
Daniel, Foster of Louisiana, Gorman, Latimer, McCreary, McEnery,
Mallory, Martin, Money, Newlands, Overman, Patterson, Pettus, Simmons,
Stone, Taliaferro, Teller, and Tillman, 27 in all.
Senator Gorman stated the object of the meeting to be the discussion of
the proposed amendments to the pending Panama Canal Treaty.
Mr. Money offered the following amendment, by way of a substitute for
the Second Paragraph of Article 4:
The United States, following their uniform established
policy in regard to their sister Republics in America,
freely acknowledge and recognize the sovereignty of the
Republic of Colombia, and disavow any intention to impair it
in any way whatever, or to increase their territory at the
expense of Colombia, but most earnestly desire her peace and
prosperity.
which was adopted.
Mr. Bacon offered the following amendment as a substitute for Article 23
of the Treaty:
The Government of the United States shall have and exercise
the exclusive right to provide and enforce such means and
measures as it may deem advisable and necessary for the
regulation and management of the canal and for the
protection and safety thereof, and of the ships that make
use of the same, and the railways and other works within
said Zone, including all persons and cargos and freights and
other property connected with the construction, maintenance
and operation of said canal and the use thereof, and for the
accomplishment of these ends, as well as for the protection
of the lives and persons of those employed upon the Canal,
railways or other works, or engaged in the use thereof. The
Government of the United States shall employ such force as
may by it be deemed necessary, and to this end shall have
the right at all times and in its discretion to use its
police and its land and naval forces for these purposes,
which was adopted.
There being no further business, the Conference adjourned.
__________________________________________
[Editor's Note: The Senate reconvened for the first session of the
Fifty-eighth Congress on November 9, six days after a revolution broke
out in Panama to secure its independence from Colombia. A U.S. warship
prevented the Colombians from landing troops in Panama, and the United
States quickly recognized the new government. On November 18, the United
States and Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, permitting the
United States to build and operate, and protect a canal across Panama.
Although he insisted that the United States had neither encouraged or
assisted the rebellion, in later years, President Roosevelt asserted:
``I took the Canal Zone and let Congress debate.'' Democratic Senators
opposed to the new treaty sought to unite their party by proposing a
rule that would bind all members of the Conference to any decision
approved by a two-thirds vote of the Conference. This marked the first
time that either party caucus sought to bind its members to the decision
of the caucus. The Senate approved the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty on
February 23, 1904, by a vote of 66 to 14.
No minutes were taken for the Democratic Conference meetings held on
December 12 and 14, 1903, however Conference Chairman Gorman left the
following account of these meetings in his own journal:
Saturday
Dec. 12, 1903
The Democratic Conference was held at 10:30 A.M. to consider
a resolution offered by Senator Berry, to amend the Cuban
bill; it was strongly urged [by] this Senator and Senator
Teller but was opposed by Bailey, Clay, Blackburn and
Gorman, who stated the only effect would be to divide the
party and accomplish no other result. He appealed to his
associates to unite [and] pass a resolution where \2/3\ of
the Caucus so voted it should be binding on all matters of
party interest. Blackburn offered such a resolution [and] a
spirited debate followed. Strong in favor of Blackburn's
proposition. The Conference declined to authorize any
amend[ment] to the Cuban bill; Senator Teller announced he
wold not allow another Caucus and would not be bound. We
adjourned until Mond[ay] 14 to Consider Blackburn's
resolution.
December 14th, 1903
Caucus of Senators at 10, on Blackburn's resolution to bind
all Senators on \2/3\ vote in Congress. Long debate. Daniel,
Tillman, Blackburn, Carmack, Stone, Morgan, Foster
advocating resolution. Bacon, Cockrell, Berry, Mallory
opposing it; finally vote was taken on postponing until
tomorrow. Carried by vote of 16, 25 in Caucus. Senator
Newlands offered resolution to reorganize Steering
Committee: 5 South including Maryland, 4 North. There are 6
Senators from the North--not considered but will be
tomorrow.2]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ John R. Lambert, Jr., ``The Autobiographical Writings of Senator
Arthur Pue Gorman,'' Maryland Historical Magazine 58 (June 1963), pp.
105-6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[December 15, 1903]
DECEMBER 15, 1903
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate
December 15, 1903
The Caucus met at 10 o'clock a.m. with the following Senators present:
Messrs. Bacon, Bailey, Bate, Berry, Blackburn, Carmack, Clay,
Cockrell, Daniel, Dubois, Foster of La., Gibson, Gorman, Latimer,
McCreary, McEnery, McLaurin, Mallory, Martin, Morgan. Newlands,
Overman, Pettus, Simmons, Stone, Taliaferro, and Tillman. Total 27.
The following resolution offered by Mr. Blackburn was taken up for
consideration:
RESOLVED, That hereafter all members of the Senate
Democratic Caucus shall be bound to vote in accordance with
its decisions made by a two-thirds vote of all its members,
on all questions except those involving a construction of
the Constitution, or upon which a Senator has made pledges
to his constituents, or received instructions from the
Legislature of a State which he represents.
Full discussion was had, and Senator Mallory offered the following
amendment:
Provided, this rule shall not apply to the action of
Senators on the pending Cuban Reciprocity Bill or the
pending Panama Canal Treaty,
which, after discussion was rejected by the following vote:
Yeas: Messrs. Bacon, Bate, Berry, Clay, Cockrell, Foster of La.,
McCreary, McEnery, Mallory, Simmons, Taliaferro, Total 11.
Nays: Messrs. Bailey, Blackburn, Carmack, Daniel, Dubois, Gibson,
Gorman, Latimer, McLaurin, Martin, Morgan, Overman, Pettus, Stone, and
Tillman, Total 15.
The question recurring on the original resolution offered by Mr.
Blackburn, same was adopted by the following vote:
Yeas: Messrs. Bacon, Bailey, Bate, Berry, Blackburn, Carmack, Clay,
Daniel, Dubois, Foster of La., Gibson, Gorman, Latimer, McCreary,
McLaurin, Martin, Morgan, Overman, Patterson, Pettus, Simmons, Stone,
Tillman, Total 23.
Nays: Messrs. Mallory and Taliaferro, Total 2.
Mr. Newlands offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Steering Committee be reconstituted by
providing that it shall consist of nine members, five to be
selected by the Senators from the Southern States, including
Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, and four to be selected by
the Senators from the remaining States.
After consideration, the Caucus, upon motion of Mr. Pettus, adjourned
until 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 16.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Chairman Gorman's journal recorded: ``The Democratic Caucus met at
10. The Resolution of Senator Blackburn for \2/3\ rule was debated until
12. M [noon]. The opposition resolved the case on an Amendment to
exclude the Cuban Treaty and Panama Treaty; it was voted down 11 to 16.
And the Blackburn resolution passed 23 to 2; Senator Cockrell not
voting. The debate was spirited, Bailey, Morgan, Stone for it; Cockrell,
Foster, Mallory, and his colleague [James P. Taliaferro], and others in
opposition. A great deal of feeling was exhibited as it is the first
time such a rule has been adopted. I hope it will be allayed and good
feeling will prevail. Senator Newlands then offered his resolution to
reorganize the Caucus Committee, which goes over until tomorrow,
Wednesday, at that meeting a resolution will be offered to oppose [the]
Cuban Treaty.'' Lambert, ``Autobiographical Writings of Senator Arthur
Pue Gorman,'' p. 107.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[December 16, 1903]
DECEMBER 16, 1903
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate
December 16, 1903
The Caucus convened at 10 o'clock a.m., with the following Senators
present:
Messrs. Bacon, Bailey, Bate, Berry, Blackburn, Carmack, Clay,
Cockrell, Culberson, Daniel, Dubois, Gibson, Gorman, Latimer,
McCreary, McLaurin, Mallory, Morgan, Newlands, Overman, Patterson,
Pettus, Stone, Taliaferro and Tillman, 25 in all.
Mr. Bailey offered the following resolution:
Whereas, this Caucus has heretofore expressly left each
member of it to determine for himself his vote upon the
treaty with Cuba; and
Whereas, Senators have, in accordance with such Caucus
action, committed themselves by votes and speeches in favor
of said treaty,
Therefore, Be it Resolved, That it would be inexpedient and
unwise to adopt a rule requiring such Senators to vote
against the bill now pending in the Senate to approve said
treaty,
which was adopted.
Mr. Bailey offered the following resolution:
That it is the sense of this Caucus that Democratic
Senators shall insist in Executive Session on making public
[the] Treaty with Panama and all documents,
which was adopted.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Senator Gorman recorded in his journal: ``The Democratic
Conference met at 10 a.m. The resolution of Senator Newlands was
considered for reorganization of Steering Committee, and sundry
propositions were made to amend by increasing the committee to 11. I
finally stated that the Caucus could do as they desired but I considered
the whole move a reflection on my action and it would be so regarded
generally that the motion must be modified as I would not select the new
members the Caucus must do that, that I would gladly surrender the place
as chairman but I could not submit to continue with any Senators
thinking I had been unfair to any section. The Caucus declined to take
any action after which several Senators, Stone, Blackburn, Carmack &
others appealed to me to adjust it. I told them frankly, I could not
recede. I would be glad to vacate, so the matter ended. The Caucus
decided to permit the Cuban bill to go through without Amendment being
offered and each Senator to vote as he desired. And then to unite on
demand for Panamanian Treaty to be made public and to insist on Post
Office Investigation.'' Lambert, ``Autobiographical Writings of Senator
Arthur Pue Gorman,'' p. 108.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[January 23, 1904]
JANUARY 23, 1904
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate
January 23, 1904
At a meeting of the Caucus held this day, the following resolution was
discussed:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Foreign Relations is hereby
instructed to investigate and ascertain whether Bunau-
Varilla, and other persons residing in the United States and
subject to our laws, did aid or promote an insurrection in
Panama against the Republic of Colombia, and did give
assurance to citizens of Panama that they should have the
aid and assistance of our Navy in behalf of such
insurrection, and whether any official of any Department of
the Government did disclose or make known to said Bunau-
Varilla or to any other person, the action which the
Government of the United States designed or proposed to take
in the event of an insurrection. Said committee shall have
authority to send for persons and papers, compel attendance
of witnesses, and shall make report at the earliest
practicable date.
and the matter referred to the following Sub Committee:
Messrs. Bacon, Patterson, Martin, Newlands, and Bailey.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Senator Gorman recorded in his journal on January 22, 1904: ``The
Caucus Committee--Culberson, Cockrell, and [my]self being present agreed
to a resolution of inquiry and one for investigation as to aid given by
[the U.S.] government [to the] revolution in Panama. Called Caucus for
tomorrow.'' On January 23, Gorman wrote: ``The U.S. Senate [Democratic]
Caucus met at 11 A.M. After a long discussion we agreed to two
resolutions named in memoranda of yesterday and appoint[ed] committee of
5 to take any other action.'' Lambert, ``The Autobiographical Writings
of Senator Arthur Pue Gorman,'' p. 234.
Fifty-ninth Congress (1905-1907)
[Editor's Note: Senate Democrats remained in the minority, 32 to 58
1, during the Fifty-ninth Congress. A major issue facing the
Senate in 1905 was a treaty with Santo Domingo (the Dominican Republic),
designed to solve Santo Domingo's debt crisis and forestall European
intervention. The treaty permitted the United States to operate Santo
Domingo's customhouses and manage its debt payment. The Senate first
took up the treaty in December 1905, recommitting it to the Foreign
Relations Committee on December 13. A revised treaty was eventually
approved by a vote of 43 to 19, on February 25, 1907.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Source for party divisions in Senate and House of Representatives
is Kenneth C. Mardis, The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the
United States Congress, 1789-1989 (New York, 1989), pp. 157- 241.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Thomas M. Patterson of Colorado broke ranks with his party to
support President Roosevelt's Dominican policies. Appearing before the
Democratic Caucus on February 3, 1906, Patterson defended his views, but
the caucus adopted a resolution requiring all members to vote against
the treaty. In the Senate on February 5, Patterson assailed the attempt
to enforce party discipline as being ``in plain violation of the spirit
and intent of the constitution of the United States.'' Senator Joseph W.
Bailey of Texas responded that the caucus had adopted a rule ``defining
a Senator's duty as a Democrat. The Senator is at perfect liberty,
whenever the importance of the question or the force of his convictions,
or both, shall render it impossible to obey the Caucus, to defy it, and
to vote precisely as he would had no Caucus action had been taken. If he
does defy it, he then settles with the Democratic people of his own
State.'' 2]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Clarence A. Berdahl, ``Some Notes on Party Membership in
Congress,'' American Political Science Review 43 (August 1949): 721-23;
U.S., Congress, Senate, Congressional Record, 59th Cong., 1st sess., pp.
2053-54.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[December 8, 1905]
DECEMBER 8, 1905
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
December 8, 1905.
The Caucus was called to order by Mr. Blackburn, Vice-Chairman, in the
absence of Mr. Gorman, and Mr. Martin was requested to act as Secretary
in the absence of Mr. Carmack. There were present:
Messrs. Blackburn, Teller, Bacon, Stone, Daniel, Mallory, McLaurin,
Overman, Latimer, Culberson, Rayner, McCreary, Bacon, Dubois, Simmons,
Foster, Bailey, Tillman, Clay, Money, Newlands, Frazier, and McEnery,
Total 23--A quorum.
On motion of Mr. Martin, Mr. Gorman was unanimously elected Chairman of
the Caucus.
On motion of Mr. McLaurin, Mr. Blackburn was unanimously elected Vice-
Chairman.
On motion of Mr. Dubois, Mr. Carmack was unanimously elected Secretary.
Mr. Teller was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy on the Steering
Committee caused by the retirement of Senator Cockrell.
Upon motion adjournment was had.
____________________________________________________
[February 3, 1906]
FEBRUARY 3, 1906
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
February 3, 1906.
The Caucus convened at 10 o'clock a.m., Senator Blackburn presiding,
with the following Senators present:
Messrs. Bacon, Bailey, Clarke (Ark.), Clay, Culberson, Daniel, Dubois,
Foster, Frazier, Latimer, McCreary, Mallory, Martin, Money, Morgan,
Newlands, Overman, Patterson, Pettus, Rayner, Simmons, Teller,
Tillman, and Gearin (by telegram).
Mr. Bailey offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Senate ought not to advise and consent
to the Treaty between the United States and the Republic of
Santo Domingo now pending before the Senate, and be it
further resolved, that if two-thirds of this Caucus shall
vote in favor of the foregoing resolution, it shall be the
duty of every Democratic Senator to vote against the
ratification of said Treaty.
The question was divided, and the vote taken upon the first and second
sections thereof separately, resulting in 24 yeas and 1 nay (Mr. Clarke
of Arkansas) upon the first section, which was therefore adopted, and 20
yeas and 4 nays (Messrs. Clarke of Arkansas, Daniel, Foster and Mallory)
upon the second section, which was accordingly adopted.
Upon motion the Chairman and Secretary were requested to give notice of
the result of the meeting.
____________________________________________________
[June 9, 1906]
JUNE 9, 1906
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
June 9, 1906.
The Caucus convened, Mr. Blackburn, Vice-Chairman, presiding, with the
following Senators present:
Messrs: Bacon, Bailey, Blackburn, Clark (Mont.) Clay, Culberson,
Daniel, Dubois, Frazier, Gearin, McCreary, Mallory, Money, Morgan,
Overman, Patterson, Pettus, Rayner, Simmons, Taliaferro, Teller and
Tillman, Total 22--a quorum.
Mr. Bacon offered the following resolution, which was unanimously
adopted:
The Democratic Senators at their first meeting in Conference
subsequent to the death of their former honored and loved
Chairman, the late Senator Gorman, obey their unaffected
impulse in the expression of their profound sorrow for his
loss to them as their personal friend, and their sagacious,
faithful political guide in their official relations.
A faithful friend, zealous and wise party leader,
considerate and conciliatory and careful of the interests of
all, he greatly endeared himself to his party associates, by
whom his memory will ever be most fondly cherished
3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Senator Arthur Pue Gorman, chairman of the Democratic Conference,
died on June 4, 1906.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Blackburn was unanimously chosen as Chairman of the Caucus as the
successor of the late Mr. Gorman.
Mr. Bacon offered the following resolution, which was unanimously
adopted:
The Democratic Senators in electing as their Chairman of
the Conference Senator Blackburn of Kentucky, congratulate
themselves and their several constituencies upon the fact
that they have among their number one so well fitted by his
marked capacity, his great acquirements, and his large
experience in Congressional work, and especially by his
power as an orator and as a debater, to render to his party
associates the most signal and valuable services as their
chosen official leader in the great forum of the Senate of
the United States.
Senator Overman of North Carolina was appointed by the Chairman to fill
the vacancy on the Steering Committee, occasioned by the death of
Senator Gorman.
The Steering Committee was authorized to consider vacancies on
Committees, and to make recommendations to a subsequent Caucus.
Upon motion, this Caucus adjourned.
Democratic Steering Committee
June 9, 1906.
Mr. Blackburn.
" Martin.
" Bacon.
" Money.
" Dubois.
" Bailey.
" Tillman.
" Teller.
" Overman.
____________________________________________________
[June 21, 1906]
JUNE 21, 1906
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
June 21, 1906.
The Caucus convened, Mr. Blackburn presiding, with the following
Senators either present or represented by proxies:
Messrs. Blackburn, Bailey, Berry, Carmack, Clark (Mont.), Clay,
Culberson, Daniel, Foster, Frazier, McLaurin, Mallory, Martin, Money,
Overman, Rayner, Simmons, Stone, Taliaferro and Whyte.
The Steering Committee reported the following recommendations relative
to appointments to Senate Committees:
That Mr. Clay be excused from further service on the
Committee on Commerce.
That the following appointments be made to fill vacancies:
Mr. Clay on Appropriations;
" Taliaferro on Finance;
" Simmons on Commerce.
The recommendations of the Steering Committee were agreed to.
Sixtieth Congress (1907-1909)
[Editor's Note: During the Sixtieth Congress, Senate Democrats
remained in the minority by a margin of 31 to 61. The number of standing
and select committees of the Senate had reached sixty-six, including a
number of committees that had no legislative business but existed solely
to provide their chairmen with a committee room and a clerk. Nine
chairmanships of these sinecure committees were reserved for senior
members of the minority party.]
____________________________________________________
[December 3, 1907]
DECEMBER 3, 1907
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate,
December 3, 1907
Upon motion of Mr. Newlands, Mr. Money was made Temporary Chairman, and
Mr. Owen Temporary Secretary.
Mr. Culberson was by Mr. Stone nominated for Chairman of the
Conference, and upon motion of Mr. Whyte unanimously elected.
Mr. McCreary was by Mr. Clarke nominated for Vice-Chairman, and upon
motion unanimously elected.
Mr. Owen was by Mr. Clay nominated for Secretary, and upon motion of Mr.
McLaurin, seconded by Mr. Bailey, unanimously elected.
Mr. Culberson invited the co-operation of the members of the Conference
in united and aggressive action.
The vote of Mr. Bankhead, who was absent, was by request recorded for
Mr. Culberson as Chairman.
Mr. Whyte suggested that in old times a Committee on Committees was
appointed, and requested information as to the method of procedure. The
Chairman replied that the custom was for the Chairman of the Conference
to appoint a Steering Committee to assign members to Committees. After
discussion, in which Mr. Bailey suggested that the Conference should
select the Committee on Committees, it was decided that the Chairman
should name the Committee, the motion to this effect, passing by the
affirmative vote of all present, except Mr. Bailey, who requested that
he be recorded as voting against it.
Mr. Tillman emphasized the importance of organization; suggested that
the Chairman of the Conference should be the leader of the Steering
Committee; and that Co-operation was needed.
Upon suggestion that rules should be prepared for the future procedure
of the Conference. Upon motion of Mr. Clarke the Chairman was authorized
to appoint a Committee of three to prepare such rules.
The Chairman announced that the Steering Committee to be named would be
for the Sixtieth Congress.
The Conference thereupon adjourned.
Chairman
[signed] Robert L. Owen
Secretary
On December 9, 1907, in conformity to resolutions adopted at the
Conference meeting of December 3, '07, the Chairman announced the
appointment of the following Committees:
Committee on Committees: Messrs. Money, Stone, Bacon, Simmons, Martin,
Newlands, Tillman, Clarke, Culberson.
Committee on Preparation of Rules of Procedure for Minority
Conference: Messrs. Clarke, Daniel, Taliaferro.
____________________________________________________
[December 16, 1907]
DECEMBER 16, 1907
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
December 16, 1907.
Conference convened, with the following Senators present and answering
the roll call:
Messrs. Bacon, Bailey, Culberson, Foster, Frazier, Johnston, McCreary,
Martin, Money, Newlands, Overman, Paynter, Simmons, Stone, Taylor,
Teller, Tillman, Gore, and Owen.
The Committee on Committees submitted the following Report:
Agriculture and Forestry
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Appropriations
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
John W. Daniel of Virginia
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Audit and Control of the Contingent
Expenses of the Senate
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Canadian Relations
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Census
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
Civil Service and Retrenchment
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Claims
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
Coast and Insular Survey
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Coast Defenses
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Commerce
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida
William J. Stone of Missouri
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Corporations Organized in the District
of Columbia
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida, Chairman
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
Cuban Relations
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
William J. Stone of Missouri
District of Columbia
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Education and Labor
John W. Daniel of Virginia
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Engrossed Bills
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia, Chairman
Enrolled Bills
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Examine the Several Branches of the
Civil Service
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
Finance
John W. Daniel of Virginia
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
Fisheries
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
Foreign Relations
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Forest Reservations and the Protection
of Game
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Geological Survey
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
Immigration
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Indian Affairs
William J. Stone of Missouri
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Indian Depredations
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Interoceanic Canals
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Interstate Commerce
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Francis J. Newlands of Nevada
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Irrigation
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
Francis J. Newlands of Nevada
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Judiciary
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
Library
John W. Daniel of Virginia
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
Manufactures
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
Military Affairs
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
Mines and Mining
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Mississippi River and its Tributaries
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Naval Affairs
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Stephen B. Mallory of Florida
Organization, Conduct and Expenditures
of the Executive Departments
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
William J. Stone of Missouri
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Pacific Railroads
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Patents
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
Pensions
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
James P. McCreary of Kentucky
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Philippines
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
William J. Stone of Missouri
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Post Offices and Post Roads
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Printing
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Private Land Claims
Henry M. Teller of Colorado, Chairman
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Privileges and Elections
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Public Buildings and Grounds
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
William J. Stone of Missouri
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
Public Health and National Quarantine
John W. Daniel of Virginia, Chairman
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida
Charles A. Culberson of Texas
Public Lands
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Anselm J. McLaurin of Mississippi
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Railroads
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
Hernando Money of Mississippi
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Revision of the Laws
John W. Daniel of Virginia
Stephen R. Mallory of Florida
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
Revolutionary Claims
James P. Taliaferro of Florida, Chairman
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
Rules
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Territories
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
James B. Frazier of Tennessee
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Transportation Routes to the Seaboard
John W. Daniel of Virginia
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
University of the United States
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Additional Accommodations for the
Library of Congress
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia, Chairman
William J. Stone of Missouri
Disposition of Useless Papers in the
Executive Departments
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi,
Chairman
James B. Taylor of Tennessee
Expenditures in the Treasury Department
William P. Whyte of Maryland
James P. Clarke of Arkansas
Five Civilized Tribes of Indians
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina,
Chairman
Henry M. Teller of Colorado
Industrial Expositions
John W. Daniel of Virginia
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
Lee S. Overman of North Carolina
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
John H. Bankhead of Alabama
Investigate the Condition of the
Potomac River Front at Washington
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
William P. Whyte of Maryland
Investigate Trespassers on Indian Lands
Thomas H. Paynter of Kentucky
National Banks
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Standards, Weights and Measures
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia
Transportation and Sale of Meat
Products
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana, Chairman
William J. Stone of Missouri
Expenditures in the War Department
Hernando D. Money of Mississippi
Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana
Woman Suffrage
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia, Chairman
Joseph F. Johnston of Alabama
Expenditures in the Department of
Justice
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas
Isidor Rayner of Maryland
Expenditures in the Navy Department
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina
Expenditures in the Interior Department
James B. McCreary of Kentucky
Jeff Davis of Arkansas
Expenditures in the Department of
Agriculture
F.M. Simmons of North Carolina
Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma
Upon motion of Mr. Teller, the report of the Committee was adopted by
the Conference. The assignments of Mr. Bankhead left vacant, a special
report to be submitted when he is sworn in, the Chairman stating that he
would nominate Mr. Bankhead to the vacancies then.
On motion of Mr. Bailey, the Chairman was authorized to fill the four
vacancies on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which was
done, the members of the Committee for 1908 being:
Messrs:
James P. Taliaferro of Florida
William J. Stone of Missouri
Alexander S. Clay of Georgia
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada
Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma
Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee
Asbury C. Latimer of South Carolina
C.A. Culberson of Texas
Thomas S. Martin of Virginia
Mr. Johnston suggested that a resolution, defining the duty of
Democratic Senators as to legislation on the financial situation, and
declaring that they would acquiesce in and not obstruct any just
remedial legislation proposed should be adopted.
Mr. Newlands moved that the Steering Committee be authorized to receive
suggestions as to such legislation and to call meetings of the
Conference to consider them, but accepted an amendment to the effect
that the Committee on Rules be substituted.
The Chairman read a proposed resolution, directing the Committee on
Finance to forthwith investigate the financial situation, and make early
report, with recommendations as to relief, suggesting that the
Democratic members of the Finance Committee should take the initiative
in developing the facts and formulating a proper plan for Democratic
action.
Messrs. Money and Teller suggested that they did not feel that they
could be bound to the Conference on questions relating to finance.
With Mr. Newlands' motion pending, the Conference adjourned.
Chairman
[signed] Robert L. Owen
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[January 25, 1908]
JANUARY 25, 1908
Minority Conference Room, U.S. Senate
January 25, 1908.
Conference convened at 10:30 a.m., with the following Senators present:
Messrs. Bailey, Bankhead, Bryan, Clarke, Clay, Culberson, Daniel,
Davis, Frazier, Gore, Johns[t]on, Latimer, McCreary, McLaurin,
Newlands, Overman, Owen, Paynter, Rayner, Simmons, Stone, Taliaferro,
Taylor, Teller, Tillman and Whyte.
The minutes were read to date. Mr. Bailey suggested that he would prefer
to have his reasons for voting to have the Conference name its own
Committee on Committees inserted in the minutes, which was agreed to,
and the minutes are to be corrected in this respect.
The Chairman read a letter from the Oklahoma Delegation, expressing its
thanks at the selection of Mr. Owen as Secretary of the Conference. Upon
motion of Senator Daniel, it was ordered that the letter be spread upon
the minutes, and it reads as follows:
Dec. 5th, 1907
Senator Chas. A. Culberson
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
I beg to hand you a copy of resolutions unanimously
adopted by the Oklahoma Democratic delegation. We are all
duly sensible of the high honor conferred upon our State
by the selection of my distinguished and deserving
colleague as Secretary of the Democratic Caucus. You will
kindly convey expressions of our gratitude and
gratification to the Democratic minority in caucus
assembled.
Believe me,
Very truly
[Signed] T.P. Gore
Resolution
RESOLVED, by the Democratic delegation of the State of
Oklahoma in caucus assembled, that we heartily endorse the
selection of Senator Robert L. Owen, as Secretary of the
Democratic Senate Caucus, not only as a fitting recognition
of his high character and intrinsic worth, but as a
significant and gracious compliment to the State of
Oklahoma, the youngest daughter of the Republic.
[signed] T.P. Gore, Chairman
J.S. Davenport, Secy.
An extended discussion of the financial question, participated in by
various members, ensued, lasting until recess at 1 o'clock.
The Conference reconvened at 2 p.m., and discussion continued until
4:30. The sense of the Conference appeared to be that the question
should be discussed as thoroughly as possible, with a view to as great a
degree of co-operation as possible among the members. It was further
suggested that the members of the Minority on the Finance Committee
should prepare a measure, and that suggestions should be made by the
various members of the Minority in regard to the subject, with a view of
securing such coherence of action as was possible, but no definite
action was taken in regard to the matter.
The discussion was participated in by Senators McLaurin, Owen, Bailey,
Culberson, Newlands, Clarke, Teller, Taylor, Daniel, and others.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Chairman
Secretary
__________________________________________
Conference Room, April 15, 08.
Senator J. H. Bankhead of Alabama was selected as a member of the
Congressional Campaign Committee, vice Senator A.[C.] Latimer, deceased.
Sixty-first Congress (1909-1911)
[Editor's Note: After the election of 1908, Senate Democrats remained
in the minority with 32 Democrats to 60 Republicans. President William
Howard Taft called the Senate into special session, from March 4 to 6,
to confirm his cabinet nominees. Taft called both houses of Congress
back into session, from March 15 to August 5, 1909, to enact new tariff
legislation. Although the president and reformers in both parties aimed
to lower tariff rates, the resulting Payne-Aldrich Tariff considerably
raised tariff duties.]
____________________________________________________
[March 5, 1909]
MARCH 5, 1909
Conference Room, U.S. Senate,
March 5, 1909.
Conference met at 10 a.m. The following Senators were present. Messrs:
Bankhead, Chamberlain, Clarke, Clay, Culberson, Frazier, Gore, Hughes,
Johnston, McLaurin, Money, Newlands, Overman, Owen, Shively, Simmons,
Smith (Md.), Smith (S.C.), Stone and Tillman. Absent: Messrs. Bacon,
Bailey, Daniel, Davis, Fletcher, Foster, McEnery, Martin, Paynter,
Rayner, Taliaferro and Taylor.
Upon the convening of the Conference, the Chairman stated that the usual
practice had been that no Senator was taken off a Committee without his
consent, and that seniority governed in nominating for Committee
vacancies, except that when such senior Senator was already upon an
important committee or committees, this seniority privilege of
nomination was not necessarily accorded, unless the senior Senator
desiring the nomination agreed as a condition to such nomination to
vacate a committee place already held by him. This suggestion of the
Chairman was not questioned.
Upon the nomination of Senator Stone, Senator Culberson was unanimously
elected Chairman of the Conference for the 61st PCongress.
Upon nomination of Senator Clarke, Senator Money was unanimously elected
Vice-Chairman of the Conference for the 61st PCongress.
Upon nomination of Senator Frazier, Senator Owen was unanimously elected
Secretary of the Conference for the 61st Congress.
Upon motion of Senator Clarke the Chairman was authorized to Pappoint a
Committee on Committees of nine members, including Pthe Chairman of the
Conference as ex-officio Chairman of the PCommittee.
Senator Clarke reported reasons why the Committee to formulate rules for
the government of the Conference had not prepared such rules, and moved
that the Chairman appoint a new Committee of three for this purpose,
which was adopted.
Thereupon, the Chairman announced the appointment on this Committee of
Senators: Clarke, Daniel, Taliaferro.
The Chairman announced the appointment of the following Senators on the
Committee on Committees: Money, Bacon, Martin, Tillman, Stone, Simmons,
Newlands, Clarke, Culberson (Ex-officio Chairman).
Upon motion, Conference adjourned, subject to call of Chairman.
Chairman
Secretary
[typescript]
Meeting of the Democratic Conference, March 5th, 1909. 10 a.m.
Quorum present.
Chairman Culberson called the meeting to order and made a short
explanation of the purpose of the Conference, explaining the necessity
for the reorganization of the Conference and the establishment of a
Committee on Committees, and he stated that the usual practice of the
Democratic Conference in the past was that no Senator was ever taken off
a Committee without his consent, and that when vacancies occurred, the
rule of seniority prevails in regard to application for preferment to
such vacancies with the exception, that where a Senator is elected to
act on a Committee, he may be required to relinquish something, before
being advanced to the more important vacancy.
Upon motion of Senator Stone, Senator Culberson was re-elected
unanimously as Chairman of the Conference for the Sixty-first Congress.
Senator Money, on the nomination of Senator Clarke, was unanimously
elected Vice-Chairman of the Democratic Conference. Senator Owen, on the
nomination of Senator Frazier, was unanimously re-elected Secretary of
the Conference.
Senator Clarke moved the Chairman appoint a Committee of nine, as a
Steering Committee, of which the Chairman of the Conference should be ex
officio Chairman. Senator Clarke named Senators Money, Bacon, Martin,
Tillman, Stone, Simmons, Newlands, and Clarke as members of the
Committee on Committees or Steering Committee.
Senator Clarke reported for the Committee on Rules, that his Committee,
consisting of Senators Daniel and Taliaferro had not had opportunity to
prepare rules, and that he moved a new Committee of three be appointed
to draw up permanent rules of procedure. Chairman Culberson appointed
Senators Clarke, Daniel, and Taliaferro to perform this duty.
General discussion ensued, with regard to the policy of the Minority,
in which Senators Tillman, Money, Newlands, Clay, Simmons, Clarke and
others participated.
____________________________________________________
[March 22, 1909]
MARCH 22, 1909
Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
March 22, 1909.
The Conference was called to order by the Chairman at 10:20 a.m. In the
absence of Senator Owen, Senator Martin acted as Secretary. The
following Senators were present: Messrs. Bankhead, Chamberlain, Clay,
Culberson, Fletcher, Frazier, Gore, Hughes, Johnston, Martin, Money,
Newlands, Paynter, Rayner, Shively, Simmons, Smith of Maryland, Stone
and Taylor. Senator Foster, though detained, was by request counted as
present.
The Committee on Committees submitted the following report of Senators
selected for the several committees:
On Additional Accommodations for the
Library of Congress
Money (Chairman)
Stone
Agriculture and Forestry
Money
Bankhead
Gore
Chamberlain
Smith (S.C.)
Appropriations
Tillman
Daniel
Clay
Foster
Culberson
Audit and Control Contingent Expenses of
the Senate
Money
Clarke of Ark.
Canadian Relations
Tillman
Foster
Gore
Smith (Md.)
Census
McEnery
Taliaferro
Bailey
Shively
Civil Service and Retrenchment
McLaurin
Clarke of Ark.
Rayner
Owen
Claims
Martin
Overman
Frazier
Davis
Paynter
Coast and Insular Survey
Clay
Culberson
Davis
Bankhead
Coast Defenses
Taliaferro
Clay
Simmons
Foster
Smith (Md.)
Commerce
Martin
Stone
Simmons
McLaurin
Clarke (Ark.)
Newlands
Conservation of National Resources
Newlands
Overman
Davis
Bankhead
Smith (S.C.)
Corporations Organized in the District
of Columbia
Taliaferro (Chairman)
Shively
Cuban Relations
Taliaferro
Simmons
Newlands
Stone
Disposition of Useless Papers in the
Executive Departments
Simmons (Chairman)
Frazier
District of Columbia
Martin
Paynter
Johnston (Ala.)
Smith (Md.)
Fletcher
Education and Labor
Daniel
Rayner
Bankhead
Shively
Engrossed Bills
Bacon (Chairman)
Enrolled Bills
Foster
To Examine the Several Branches of the
Civil Service
Culberson
Simmons
Smith (S.C.)
Expenditures in Department of
Agriculture
Simmons
Gore
Expenditures in the Interior Department
Davis
Chamberlain
Expenditures in the Department of
Justice
Bailey
Rayner
Expenditures in the Navy Department
Martin
Tillman
Expenditures in the Post Office
Department
Bacon
Frazier
Expenditures in the Department of State
McLaurin
Stone
Expenditures in the Treasury Department
Clarke (Ark.)
Smith (Md.)
Expenditures in the War Department
Money
Foster
Finance
Daniel
Money
Taliaferro
Simmons
Fisheries
McEnery
Bailey
Overman
Fletcher
The Five Civilized Tribes of Indians
Tillman (Chairman)
Fletcher
Foreign Relations
Bacon
Money
Frazier
Stone
Shively
Forest Reservations and the Protection
of Game
Tillman
Overman
Taylor
Geological Survey
Money
Rayner
Smith (S.C.)
Immigration
McLaurin
Davis
Gore
Hughes
Smith (S.C.)
Indian Affairs
Stone
Davis
Paynter
Owen
Bankhead
Hughes
Indian Depredations
Martin
McLaurin
Davis
Johnston
Owen
Industrial Expositions
Daniel
Rayner
Overman
Taylor
Bankhead
Paynter
Interoceanic Canals
Taliaferro
Simmons
Johnston (Ala)
Smith (Md.)
Hughes
Interstate Commerce
Tillman
McLaurin
Foster
Newlands
Taylor
To Investigate Trespassers upon Indian
Lands
Paynter
Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands
Bailey
Newlands
Gore
Smith (Md.)
Chamberlain
Joint Committee on the Revision of the
Laws of the United States
McLaurin
Clarke (Ark.)
Judiciary
Bacon
Culberson
Clarke (Ark.)
Overman
Rayner
Paynter
The Library
Daniel
Newlands
Shively
Manufactures
Clay
Frazier
Smith (S.C.)
Military Affairs
Taliaferro
Foster
Overman
Frazier
Johnston (Ala.)
Mines and Mining
Tillman
Johnston (Ala.)
Gore
Hughes
The Mississippi River and its
Tributaries
McEnery
McLaurin
Owen
Naval Affairs
Tillman
Martin
McEnery
Smith (Md.)
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Rayner
Clarke (Ark.)
Owen
Fletcher
Pacific Railroads
Taliaferro
Gore
Chamberlain
Shively
Patents
Foster
Shively
Smith (S.C.)
Pensions
Taliaferro
Taylor
Gore
Hughes
Shively
The Philippines
Johnston (Ala.)
Paynter
Chamberlain
Fletcher
Hughes
Post-Offices and Post-Roads
Clay
Taliaferro
Owen
Bankhead
Taylor
Printing
Smith (Md.)
Chamberlain
Fletcher
Private Land Claims
Daniel (Chairman)
McEnery
Davis
Privileges and Elections
Bailey
Frazier
Paynter
Johnston (Ala.)
Fletcher
Public Buildings and Grounds
Culberson
Clay
Stone
Overman
Taylor
Gore
Public Expenditures
McLaurin
Newlands
Owen
Fletcher
Hughes
Public Health and National Quarantine
Martin (Chairman)
McEnery
Culberson
Fletcher
Public Lands
McEnery
Newlands
Davis
Owen
Bankhead
Chamberlain
Railroads
Bacon
Money
Taylor
Bankhead
Revolutionary Claims
Bailey (Chairman)
Rules
Bacon
Bailey
Clarke (Ark.)
Standards, Weights and Measures
Bacon
Hughes
Territories
Clarke (Ark.)
Frazier
Owen
Hughes
Transportation Routes to the Seaboard
Daniel
Rayner
Gore
Bankhead
Transportation and Sale of Meat
Products
McEnery (Chairman)
Stone
The University of the United States
Clay
Foster
Overman
Taylor
Woman Suffrage
Clay (Chairman)
Johnston (Ala.)
The recommendations of the Committee on Committees were agreed to.
Thereupon the Conference adjourned.
____________________________________________________
[April 14, 1909]
APRIL 14, 1909
Conference Room, U.S. Senate,
April 14, 1909.
Conference met at 2 p.m. The following Senators were present: Messrs.
Bacon, Bailey, Chamberlain, Clay, Culberson, Daniel, Fletcher, Foster,
Frazier, Gore, Hughes, Johnston, McEnery, McLaurin, Martin, Money,
Overman, Owen, Rayner, Shively, Simmons, Smith of Md., Smith of S.C.,
Stone, Taliaferro, Taylor. Senator Davis was announced absent because of
the death of his wife.
Chairman Culberson explained that the Conference was called to consider
the will of the Conference on the Tariff Bill.
Senator Daniel urged a tax on the gross income of corporations. Senator
Money advocated putting the entire responsibility on the Republicans,
because the Minority were denied all rights in Committee, not being
consulted on this Tariff Bill, or permitted to protest.
General discussion followed and an agreement favorable to the Income Tax
seemed to prevail. Senator Culberson suggested a graduated income tax,
and to gradually reduce the protected articles.
Senators Bailey, Taliaferro, Daniel, Culberson, Bacon, Johnston,
McLaurin, Chamberlain, Simmons, Foster, Smith and others participated in
the discussion.
Senator Bacon submitted the following motion:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this Conference that an
income tax provision should be engrafted upon the Tariff
Bill now pending in the Senate for the purpose of supplying
revenue for the support of the Government, and that the
Tariff Schedules in the said pending bill should be reduced
in proportion to the revenue to be derived from said income
tax, and that in said reductions, so far as practicable, the
burden of taxation should be removed from the necessities of
life.
Senator Culberson was authorized to explain to the Press so far as he
thought judicious the action of the Conference.
Upon motion of Senator Johnston, adjournment was had.
Chairman
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[April 16, 1909]
APRIL 16, 1909
Conference Room, U.S. Senate.
April 16, 1909.
Conference met, pursuant to call at 2 p.m. The following Senators were
present:
Messrs. Bankhead, Chamberlain, Clay, Culberson, Daniel, Fletcher,
Foster, Frazier, Gore, Hughes, Johnston, McLaurin, Money, Newlands,
Overman, Owen, Paynter, Shively, Simmons, Smith (Md.), Stone and
Taylor.
Mr. Daniel suggested dividing the work and giving each member a special
subject. Mr. Simmons suggested being ready to proceed with the debate
and to have a record made of those ready to take the floor. Senators
Daniel, Stone and Money expressed themselves ready to speak.
Mr. Culberson explained to the Conference that he had asked no favors
of Senator Aldrich 4 in the way of delays.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Nelson W. Aldrich (Republican of Rhode Island), chaired the Senate
Finance Committee and was the principal Senate sponsor of the Payne-
Aldrich Tariff.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Income Tax was discussed. Reference was made to Senator George's
5 Report of 1892-93, when Chairman of the Committee on
Agriculture, and the decisions of the Supreme Court in Knowlton v.
Moore, 178 U.S. 52, and Pollock v. Farmers Loan and Trust Co., 157 U.S.
601, and the fact that in the Pollock Case, Sections 27-37 of the Act of
1894 had been held void. Senator Bankhead suggested that the decision be
printed as a public document. Senator Rayner explained that the Court's
decision recognized as valid taxes on offices, privileges, employments
and vocation, but as to income on real estate and personal property the
Court held that it was a direct tax, and was not apportioned as
required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ James Z. George (Democrat of Mississippi), 1881-1897.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Daniel urged the taxing of franchises and corporations. Senator
Gore suggested the income tax passed during the War by the Republicans,
and sustained by the Supreme Court, as having tactical advantage.
Senator Clay moved the appointment of a Committee of three to
investigate the New York Tax Law on future contracts and report to the
Conference. The motion was carried.
The Chairman appointed upon the Committee Messrs. Clay, Paynter, and
Hughes.
Senator Paynter suggested a rebate of 6 cents a pound on twisted loose-
leaf tobacco, so far as the farmers' personal sales were concerned (the
item has passed the House three times). Senator Newlands suggested a
special conference on the Philippines. Adjourned.
____________________________________________________
[December 6, 1909]
DECEMBER 6, 1909
Conference Room, U.S. Senate,
December 6, 1909.
Conference called to order at 2 p.m. by Hon. H. D. Money, Vice
Chairman. On motion of Senator Clay, Senator Shively was elected
Temporary Secretary.
A communication from Senator Culberson to Senator Money, expressing his
desire and proposal to retire from the Chairmanship of the Caucus, on
account of the condition of his health, was made. After remarks by
Senators, the Conference decided to postpone consideration.
Upon motion the Conference decided to proceed to election of Assistant
Sergeant at Arms.
Senator Tillman nominated Mr. Thomas W. Keller, Senator Davis seconding
the nomination.
Senator Bailey nominated C.W. Jurney.
Senator Overman nominated Mr. T. J. Peirce.
On the first ballot the vote was: For Mr. Keller 14, for Mr. Jurney 4,
for Mr. Peirce 7; and Mr. Keller was accordingly declared elected.
On motion of Senator Tillman, the Caucus adjourned, subject to call of
the Chairman. Adjourned.
____________________________________________________
[December 9, 1909]
DECEMBER 9, 1909
Conference Room, U.S. Senate
Meeting of Democratic Conference on Thursday, December 9th at 10 o'clock
a.m.
Senator Money directed roll call, which was as follows:
Present: Bacon, Bankhead, Chamberlain, Clarke, Clay, Daniel, Davis,
Fletcher, Foster, Frazier, Hughes, Johnston, Money, Newlands, Overman,
Owen, Paynter, Rayner, Shively, Simmons, Smith of S.C., Stone,
Taliaferro, Taylor, Thompson of N.D., Tillman. Absent: Bailey,
Culberson, Gore, McEnery, McLaurin, Martin, Smith of Md.
Senator Stone moved that Chas. A. Culberson's resignation be adopted and
his letter spread on minutes.
Motion carried nem con.
The letter follows:
Atlantic City, N.J.
Dec. 5 1909.
To the Democratic Caucus:
I hereby tender my resignation as Chairman of our Caucus
to take effect at once.
Enclosed is a copy of my letter to Senator Money giving
my reasons for this course which I ask may be spread on
the minutes of the proceedings. With renewed assurances of
my profound appreciation of the honor done me by election
to this high party station,
Very truly yours,
[Signed] C.A. Culberson
Atlantic City, N.J., Dec. 3, 1909.
Hon. H.D. Money
Vice Chairman, Democratic Caucus
Washington, D.C.
Dear Senator:
As you and all my Democratic associates know, I have
not been at all well for nearly a year. Last March I had a
severe attack of the grippe. Without taking the necessary
rest from such an attack, I remained in Washington in
attendance upon the Senate throughout the recent extra
session. The result was that I continued all during all
the session, and at its close, I was much reduced in
strength and vitality. From this I have not recovered in
the comparatively short vacation which I have been able to
take.
The approaching session of the Congress promises to be a
long, exacting and arduous one, and, in my present
condition, I do not feel that I should undertake the extra
duties which will devolve upon the Chairman of our Caucus.
It would probably retard or prevent my early and full
restoration to health.
While I am deeply sensible to the high honor done me by
my colleagues in my unanimous election to this
chairmanship for the last two Congresses, especially as it
came wholly without my seeking, and while under different
circumstances, I would, of course, fulfill as best I might
the requirements of the position, yet for the reasons
stated, I am compelled to ask to be relieved of its
duties. Accordingly at the first Conference to be held by
the Minority in the coming session, I will submit my
resignation as chairman.
It remains only for me to repeat that the esteem and
confidence and partiality of my party associates in the
Senate are ever more keenly appreciated than I can
express, and that I will ever bear them in grateful
recollection.
Your friend,
[signed] C.A. Culberson
Senator Daniel moved that the Secretary advise Senator Culberson of the
profound appreciation of the Conference of his uniform courtesy,
fairness and fidelity.
Motion unanimously carried.
Washington, D.C.
Dec. 10th 1909.
Hon. Charles A. Culberson
Washington, D.C.
My very dear friend:
On behalf of the Democratic Conference of the United
States Senate over which you have so kindly and graciously
presided, I am instructed by a formal resolution of the
Conference to express to you the profound appreciation of
your Democratic Colleagues for the faithful, able,
impartial and very honorable manner in which you have
discharged the duties of the trust reposed in you by them.
Nothing but an earnest desire to promote the restoration
of your health would have induced your associates to
accept your resignation.
Had you been able to overhear the sentiments expressed
at the Conference when your determination to withdraw was
discussed you would more fully realize the very cordial
admiration and affection felt for you by all of your
colleagues on whose behalf and in whose name I am directed
to thank you for the fidelity and distinguished ability
with which you have so satisfactorily served them as
chairman.
Faithfully your friend,
[Signed] Robert L. Owen
Secretary of the
Conference of Democratic Senators
Senator Daniel moved Senator Money be elected Chairman of the
Conference for this Congress. He was elected by acclamation.
Senator Money made an address to the Conference, pledging his best
efforts to preserve concord, promote unity and serve the PCountry.
Senator Newlands nominated for Vice-Chairman by Senator Chamberlain.
Senator Stone suggested Senator Shively on account of the importance of
Indiana.
Senator Newlands withdrew his name and Senator Shively was elected nem
con.
Senator Tillman nominated Captain R. S. Anderson as door-keeper.
Carried.
Adjourned.
__________________________________________
Washington, D.C.
Dec. 16, 1909.
Committee service.
Mr. Money asked to be excused from Committee on Additional
Accommodations for the Library of Congress, also Committee on Railroads.
Mr. Paynter ask[ed] to be excused from further service on Committee on
Indian Affairs.
Mr. Rayner ask[ed] to be excused from further service on Committee on
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico.
Mr. Stone ask[ed] to be excused from further service on Committee on
Transportation and Sale of Meat Products.
Mr. Davis ask[ed] to be excused from further service on Committee on
Conservation of Natural Resources.
On motion Mr. Money.
Mr. McLaurin was excused from further service on Committee on the
Mississippi River and its Tributaries.
On motion Mr. Money.
Mr. Bankhead was excused from further service as a member of Committee
[on] Industrial Expositions.
Mr. Newlands at his own request was excused from further service as a
member of the Committee on Cuban Relations.
Mr. Culberson, of Tex., appointed to fill the chairmanship of the
Committee on Additional Accommodations for the Library of Congress.
Mr. Thompson--North Dakota, appointed on the following vacancies of
committees:
The Mississippi River and its Tributaries
Conservation of Natural Resources
Industrial Expositions
Railroads
Transportation and Sale of Meat Products
Cuban Relations
Indian Affairs
Pacific Islands & Porto Rico.
__________________________________________
Dec. 20, 1909.
Mr. Simmons appointed by the Vice President as part of the Senate Select
Committee on Disposition of Useless Papers in the Executive Departments.
__________________________________________
Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 1910.
Mr. Gordon of Miss. be assigned to following Committees:
Civil Service & Retrenchment
Expenditures in Department of State
Immigration
Indian Depredations
Joint Committee on Revisions of the Laws of the United States.
Public Expenditures
Mr. Bankhead of Ala. assigned to Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Hughes of Colo. be assigned to the following committee: Committee on
Interstate Commerce.
__________________________________________
Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 1910
Mr. Hughes of Colo. be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Committee on
Public Lands.
__________________________________________
Feby. 2, 1910.
Mr. Purcell of N.D. to fill the following vacancies of each of the
following committees:
Conservation of National Resources
Cuban Relations
Indian Affairs
Industrial Expositions
Mississippi River and its Tributaries
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Railroads
Transportation and Sale of Meat Products
__________________________________________
Wash[ington], D.C., M[ar]ch 16, 1910.
Mr. Percy of Miss. be assigned to the following committees:
Expenditures in Department of State
Immigration
Indian Affairs
Joint Committee on Revision of the Laws of the United States
Public Expenditures
__________________________________________
Washington, D.C., March 31, 1910
Mr. Hughes of Colo. at his own request was excused as a member of the
Committee on Interoceanic Canals.
Mr. Percy, of Miss., be assigned as a member on the Committee on
Interoceanic Canals.
__________________________________________
Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 1910.
Mr. Money submitted the following Resolution which was agreed to.
Resolved, That Mr. Terrell be appointed to fill the following vacancies
on Committees:
Coast and Insular Survey
Coast Defenses
Manufactures
Post Office[s] & Post Roads
University of the United States
That Mr. Swanson be appointed to fill the vacancy on each of the
following Committees:
Education and Labor
Industrial Expositions
Library
Public Buildings and Grounds
Transportation Routes to the Seaboard
That Mr. Martin be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Committee on
Appropriations.
That Mr. Stone be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Committee on
Finance.
That Mr. Overman be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Committee on
Appropriations.
__________________________________________
Washington, D.C.
Dec. 12, 1910.
By Mr. Money Resolved:
That Mr. Thornton of La. be appointed to fill the vacancies on each of
the following Committees:
The Census
Fisheries
Mississippi River and its Tributaries
Naval Affairs
Private Land Claims
Public Health and National Quarantine
Public Lands
Mr. Money. Resolved that the following Senators to be respectively
relieved from further service as a member and chairman of the following
Committees:
Mr. Bacon as chairman and member of the Committee on
Engrossed Bills.
Mr. Bailey as chairman and member of the Committee on
Revolutionary Claims.
Mr. Simmons as chairman and member of the Committee on
Disposition of Useless Papers in the Executive Departments.
Resolved further: That existing vacancies in the committees of the
Senate be, and the same are hereby, filled by the appointment of the
following named Senators to the respective vacancies as follows:
Mr. Bacon as a member of the Committee on Private Land
Claims and to be chairman thereof.
Mr. Bailey as a member of the Committee on Woman Suffrage
and to be chairman thereof.
Mr. Simmons as a member of the Committee on Transportation
and Sale of Meat Products and to be chairman thereof.
Mr. Overman as a member of the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims and to be chairman thereof.
Mr. Clarke as a member of the Committee on Disposition of
Useless Papers in the Executive Departments and to be
chairman thereof.
__________________________________________
Wash[ington], D.C., Feby. 3 [1911]
Mr. Money Resolved: Mr. Watson be assigned to service as a member of
the following Committees:
Conservation of National Resources
Cuban Relations
Indian Affairs
Mississippi River and its Tributaries
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Railroads
Transportation and Sale of Meat Products
Mr. Clarke of Arkansas be assigned to service as a member of the
Committee on Interstate Commerce.
____________________________________________________
[February 10, 1911]
FEBRUARY 10, 1911
Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 1911.
Democratic Conference
On roll call following members present:
Mr. Bailey, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Foster,
Mr. Frazier, Mr. Gore, Mr. Martin, Mr. Money (Chairman), Mr. Newlands,
Mr. Overman, Mr. Owen (Secretary), Mr. Percy, Mr. Rayner, Mr. Shively,
Mr. Simmons, Mr. Smith of Md., Mr. Smith of S.C., Mr. Stone, Mr.
Swanson, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Tillman and Mr. Watson.
Questions of policy on Reciprocity and Tariff Board discussed.
Speeches confined to 5 minutes on motion of Sen[ator] Newlands.
Sen[ator]s Newlands, Stone, Money, Bacon, Rayner, Bailey, and Stone
spoke.
On motion of Sen[ator] Martin, Democratic members of Committee on Rules
instructed to obtain a suitable committee room in the Senate Office
Building.6 Adjourned to meet 10 a.m. Tuesday next.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ The first Senate Office Building, now designated as the Richard B.
Russell Building, was opened for occupancy in March 1909.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[signed] R.L. Owen, Sect.
Sixty-second Congress (1911-1913)
[Editor's Note: The election of 1910 saw significant gains for
Congressional Democrats, who took the majority of the House of
Representatives, by a margin of 230 to 162, and narrowed the margin in
the Senate to 44 to 52. However, the expanded Conference also showed
signs of division between the newly elected progressives and the more
conservative senior members. Three-time Democratic presidential
candidate William Jennings Bryan came to the Capitol to oppose the
election of the conservative Senator Thomas S. Martin of Virginia as
Conference chairman. Bryan argued that Martin had voted far too often
with the Republicans in favor of higher tariff rates set by the Payne-
Aldrich Tariff. However, Martin easily defeated his progressive
challenger, Senator Benjamin Shively of Indiana, for chairman. Senator
Augustus Bacon noted that this marked the first roll-call vote taken for
chairman in sixteen years.1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Wythe W. Holt, Jr. ``The Senator from Virginia and the Democratic
Floor Leadership: Thomas S. Martin and Conservatism in the Progressive
Era,'' Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 83 (January 1975): 5-
7; Walter J. Oleszek, ``John Worth Kern: Portrait of a FloorLeader,'' in
Richard A. Baker and Roger O. Davidson, eds., First Among Equals:
Outstanding Senate Leaders of the Twentieth Century (Washington, D.C.:
Congressional Quarterly, 1991), p. 15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[April 7, 1911]
APRIL 7, 1911
Conference Room, U.S. Senate,
April 7th, 1911
A meeting of the Democratic members of the United States Senate was
held in the Conference room of the Minority in the Capitol on Friday,
April 7th, 1911, at 2:30 p.m.
Senator Shively, the Vice Chairman, not being present, the meeting was
called to order by Senator Owen, and upon his suggestion a temporary
chairman was selected.
Senator Culberson was elected temporary chairman by acclamation. The
first business was the selection of a Chairman of the Conference
Committee.
Nominations being in order, Senator Clarke nominated Senator Martin, and
Senator Kern nominated Senator Shively.
The roll was called and the following senators voted for Senator Martin:
Messrs. Bacon, Bailey, Bankhead, Bryan, Chilton, Clarke, Culberson,
Fletcher, Foster, Johnston, Overman, Paynter, Percy, Rayner, Simmons,
Smith of Maryland, Swanson, Taylor, Watson and Williams (21).
The following Senators voted for Senator Shively:
Messrs. Chamberlain, Davis, Gore, Hitchcock, Johnson of Maine, Kern,
Lea, Martin, Myers, Newlands, O'Gorman, Owen, Pomerene, Reed, Smith of
South Carolina, and Stone (16).
Thereupon, Senator Martin was declared duly elected and took the chair
and thereupon Senator Shively was unanimously reelected Vice-Chairman of
the Caucus.
The next business in order was the election of a Secretary. Senator
Owen, not desiring reelection and stating to the Caucus that he would
decline if elected, Senator Chilton was, upon motion of Senator Bailey,
unanimously elected Secretary.
Senator Clarke moved that the Committee on Committees shall consist of
nine members of which the Chairman shall be one, and that the other
eight of the said committee shall be appointed by the Chairman.
Senator Owen moved as a substitute for the motion of Senator Clarke the
following:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Committees shall be
selected by vote of the Conference, at a stated meeting
called for that purpose, on the basis of three members from
the first fourteen senior Democrats; three members from the
second fourteen senior Democrats; and three members from the
third fourteen senior Democrats.
Be it further RESOLVED, That we heartily approve of the
Democratic House program and pledge our earnest support
thereto.
The original motion and resolution were discussed by Senators Owen,
Williams, Stone, Bailey, Thornton, Newlands, Bankhead, Percy, Hitchcock,
Johnston, Clarke, Culberson, Bacon, Kern, Fletcher and Gore.
Thereupon, Senator Owen withdrew his said substitute, and the original
motion made by Senator Clarke was adopted unanimously.
Thereupon, Senator Newlands gave notice that at a subsequent meeting of
the Caucus he would move the adoption of resolutions in writing which he
presented to the Caucus, which said resolution is as follows:
RESOLVED, That a committee selected to prepare a plan of
legislation looking to the preparation of bills complying
with the Democratic National Platform as to interstate trade
or the trusts, interstate transportation or the railroads,
interstate exchange or banking, conservation of natural
resources or the waterways, and the naturalization of the
Philippines, for consideration at the commencement of the
regular session.
Senator Bacon as the senior Democratic member of the Committee on
Rules, reported that the Democratic members of that Committee had
secured as the new Caucus room, the large room on the third floor of the
Senate Office Building, near the southwest corner.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Known as the ``Senate Caucus Room.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Gore moved that the report of the Rules Committee be received
and that the Caucus return thanks to the Committee on Rules for the
successful work in this behalf, which motion was unanimously adopted.
Senator Gore further moved that the Democratic members of the Committee
on Rules be instructed to use their best efforts to secure for the use
of the Democratic members the present quarters occupied by the
Democratic Conference Committee in the Capitol, so that the Democratic
members can have a conference room near the Senate Chamber for emergency
conference.
Upon motion the Caucus adjourned.
____________________________________________________
[June 1, 1912]
JUNE 1, 1912
June first, 1912.
The Democratic Conference met in the Conference Room on this first day
of June, 1912, in pursuance of the call of the chairman.
There were present the following named Senators: Ashurst, Bacon,
Bankhead, Bryan, Chamberlain, Chilton, Fletcher, Foster, Gardner, Gore,
Hitchcock, Johnson, Johnston, Kern, Lea, Martin, Martine, Myers,
Newlands, Overman, Pomerene, Reed, Shively, Simmons, Smith of Ariz.,
Smith of Ga., Stone, Swanson, Thornton and PWilliams.
Senator Overman moved that the Chemical Schedule Bill be temporarily
laid aside, and in the meantime we take up the appropriation bills and
the Lorimer case.3 After some discussion the motion was
withdrawn.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ On July 13, 1912, the Senate declared the election of William
Lorimer (Republican of Illinois) to be invalid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Newlands moved that the conference proceed to the consideration
of the Sugar Schedule. Thereupon Senator Stone moved as a substitute
that it is the sense of this Caucus that upon the conclusion of the vote
upon the Chemical Schedule Bill the Democrats unite to secure
consideration of the Wool Schedule Bill and to make it the unfinished
business and press it to a final conclusion.
After some discussion Senator Williams moved the adoption of the
following resolution:
RESOLVED that the Democrats of the Senate hereby agree to
abide by the results of the votes taken in Caucus, and that
they request the minority members of the Finance Committee
to take up the various tariff bills which have been or may
be passed by the House of Representatives, and before
adjournment secure action by the Senate upon all of the said
bills.
At this point it was announced by the Chairman that so many Senators
had left that a quorum was not present, and thereupon the Conference
adjourned to meet again at a time and place to be fixed by the Chairman.
Sixty-third Congress (1913-1915)
[Editor's Note: Democrats gained the majority in the Senate during the
Sixty-third Congress, for the first time in twenty years. Fifty-one
Democrats faced 44 Republicans and one independent. The House similarly
had a Democratic majority, and a Democrat, Woodrow Wilson, occupied the
White House. In the Senate, progressive Democrats were determined to
exert leadership and enact President Wilson's ``New Freedom''
legislative program. In February 1913, progressive Democrats met at the
Washington home of Senator Luke Lea and agreed to support Senator John
Worth Kern for chairman of the caucus. With thirty votes committed to
Kern, assuring him the election, the incumbent chairman, Senator Thomas
Martin, withdrew from the race. The caucus retained Martin on the
Steering Committee and rewarded him with the chairmanship of the Senate
Appropriations PCommittee.
The Senate met in special session from March 4 to March 17, 1913, to
advise and consent on the president's nominations. Wilson then called
Congress into session on April 7, 1913, and both the Senate and House
remained in session without recess until December 1. The second session
of the Sixty-third Congress extended from December 1, 1913 to October
24, 1914, with only a twenty-day recess over the Christmas holidays. A
third session ran from December 7, 1914 to March 3, 1915. During these
unusually long sessions, Congress enacted major legislation for tariff
revision, banking and currency reform, and trade and antitrust
regulation. Wilson's program owed its success in large part to the
willingness of Democratic senators to bind themselves to the caucus
decision on key issues.1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Wythe W. Holt, Jr., ``The Senator from Virginia and the Democratic
Floor Leadership,'' The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 83
(January 1975): 8-18; Walter J. Oleszek, ``John Worth Kern: Portrait of
a Floor Leader,'' in First Among Equals: Outstanding Senate Leaders of
the Twentieth Century, eds. Richard A. Baker and Roger H. Davidson
(Washington: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1991), pp. 28-30.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[March 5, 1913]
MARCH 5, 1913
The Democratic Members of the Senate assembled in Caucus Wednesday,
March 5, 1913, at 10:30 o'clock, a.m., pursuant to call.
Senator Martin called the Caucus to order and stated the object of the
meeting and as he was not a candidate for Chairman, asked for nomination
for that office.
The calling of the roll showed 47 Senators present. Senators Reed and
Robinson only being absent.
Senator Shively nominated Senator Kern, of Indiana, for Chairman of the
Caucus, which was seconded by Senator Clarke, and Senator Kern,
receiving the unanimous vote of the Caucus, accepted and assumed his
duties.
Senator O'Gorman presented the following resolution, and moved its
adoption.
RESOLVED, That the Democratic Caucus expresses its high
appreciation of the great ability, the untiring efforts and
efficient service of Senator Martin as Democratic leader
during the 62nd Congress. His influence was a large factor
in the harmony and effectiveness of the Democratic minority
in the session which has just closed. He retires from the
Caucus leadership with the respect and best wishes of all
his colleagues.
Senators Martine, Owen and Bacon seconded the above resolution and it
was unanimously adopted by a rising vote.
Senator Martin expressed appreciation of the terms of the resolution.
Senator Newlands was elected Vice Chairman on motion of Senator Pittman.
Senator O'Gorman then nominated Senator Saulsbury, of Delaware, for
Secretary of the Caucus, which was duly seconded and Mr. Saulsbury
elected, and assumed his duties as Secretary of the Caucus.
Senator Bryan moved the Chairman appoint a Committee of Five to report
to the Caucus on order of business, and this being seconded by Senator
Smith of Georgia, was declared carried, and Senators Bryan, Stone,
Culberson, O'Gorman, and Walsh were named as such Committee.
Senator Clarke moved that the Chairman appoint a Committee of Nine
members, as a Steering Committee, the Chairman to be one, and report the
Caucus for its approval. This motion was carried after Senator Ashurst
had moved that such Committee be elected by the Caucus, which amendment
was lost by a vote of 13 ayes to 26 noes.
Senator Stone moved that a Committee of Five be appointed by the Chair
in re the Illinois matter, which was duly carried, and Senators Stone,
Williams, Fletcher, Smith (Ga.) and Pomerene were thereupon appointed by
the Chairman as such Committee.
On motion of Senator Swanson, the Caucus adjourned to meet at eleven
o'clock a.m., March sixth, A.D. 1913.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[March 6, 1913]
MARCH 6, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met at 11 o'clock a.m., Thursday,
March 6th, 1913.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Senator Kern.
The calling of the roll disclosed all Senators present with the
exception of Senator Robinson.
Senator Chamberlain moved that speeches be limited to five minutes.
Carried.
The Chairman announced the appointment of the following Steering
Committee:
Senators Kern, Martin, Clarke, Chamberlain, Owen, O'Gorman,
Smith (Ga.), Lea and Thomas, which was approved by the
Caucus after motion to add Vice-Chairman and Secretary to
the Committee was laid on the table.
The report of the Committee on Order of Business was then presented, as
follows:
To the Caucus of the Democratic Members of the
United States Senate
Your Committee on Order of Business, appointed at the session held on
Wednesday, the fifth day of March, 1913, submits the following report:
Your Committee recommends the following order of business,
viz.:
1. Selection of the following officers of the Senate
(a) A President pro tempore
(b) Chaplain
(c) Secretary
(d) Sergeant at Arms
2. Consideration of appointment of minor officers under the
Secretary of the Senate and the Sergeant at Arms.
3. Selection of a Committee on Committees.
4. Consideration of the continuance, creation and abolition of
committees, the number of members on each and the apportionment of
members under the political parties.
5. Consideration of rank on committees and appointment of conferees.
6. Consideration of the question of whether the choice of a senator
for president pro tempore or for chairman of the Caucus shall be
deemed the equivalent of appointment to a chairmanship of a first-
class committee.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ This consideration was prompted by the expressed desire of Senator
Augustus Bacon to become both president pro tempore and chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Any other business that may properly come before the Caucus.
Respectfully,
[signed] T.J.Walsh
[signed] N.P. Bryan
Senator O'Gorman moved the adoption of the report, subject to the action
of the Caucus in modification, after Paragraph 3, (Committee on
Committees) had, on motion, been struck out by unanimous Pconsent.
It was then moved by Senator Smith (S.C.) that Paragraph 6 of Order be
now considered, which motion prevailed.
Senator Stone moved that the selection of Senators as President pro tem.
and as Chairman of the Caucus shall not be held equivalent to
Chairmanship of 1st Class Committee, be referred to the Steering
Committee. Seconded and carried.
Senator Lea moved that Paragraph 1 (Selection of Officers of the Senate)
be deferred to Saturday next, March 8th at ten o'clock, a.m.
Substitute offered by Senator Myers, fixing time for selection of
officers at ten a.m., Friday, March 7th, 1913, was carried.
The Report by Senator Clarke on Conference with Republican Committee was
referred to the Steering Committee.
Senator Chamberlain offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That ranking members of Committees entitled to
Chairmanships under the present practice of the Senate be
permitted to announce their choice for Chairmanships and
that after such choice they shall not be entitled to place
on other Committees until all the other members of the
Senate have a chance to express their choice for committee
place.
Senator Swanson moved that the above resolution and Paragraph 5 be
referred to the Steering Committee, which shall report back as to Place
on Committees to Conferees. Carried.
The following resolution was offered by Senator Bryan:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of the Caucus that the
inactive committees be abolished and that the minority party
be allowed the extra clerical help that the continuance of
said committees would provide for.
Senator Newlands presented the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That all obsolete committees maintained simply in
order to given Senators additional employees be abolished
and that all Senators without Chairmanships shall have three
employees: A Secretary at $2500. per annum; a Stenographer
at $1500. per annum; and a Messenger at $1200. per annum.
Senator O'Gorman moved that the resolutions of Senators Bryan and
Newlands above recited be referred to the Steering Committee, which
motion prevailed.
On motion of Senator O'Gorman, the following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED, Unless otherwise ordered, That information
respecting proceedings in Conference shall not be disclosed
by any Senator, except the Chairman of the Caucus.
Senator Overman offered the following resolution.
RESOLVED, That the patronage shall be divided equally in
value among the Democratic Senators and the minority shall
be accorded the same patronage which they have heretofore
extended to the Democratic Minority. Also,
RESOLVED, That a Committee of Five (5) be appointed by the
Chair to consider the question of how many offices, if any,
may be dispensed with without injury to the efficiency of
the work of the Senate, and the amount to which each Senator
is entitled, and report fully to the Caucus their
recommendations as to whether the permanent roll should be
continued and who shall be kept on this list. Adoption
seconded and carried.
In accordance with Senator Overman's resolution, the Chair appointed the
following Committee:
Senators Overman, Williams, Shively, Hitchcock and Johnson.
Senator Reed moved that the Steering Committee shall report a plan of
equalization of Salaries of Senate Clerks, &c., which motion was duly
seconded and carried.
Senator Hitchcock moved the adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That a Committee on Banking and Currency be
created and that subject be withdrawn from the Finance
Committee.
Senator Stone presented the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Merchant Marine shall be withdrawn from
the Committee on Commerce and a Committee to be known as
Merchant Marine and Fisheries be created.
The resolutions of Senators Hitchcock and Stone, just presented, were
referred to the Steering Committee.
Senator Bacon moved that the question, ``Shall the Committee on Cuban
Relations be Continued?'' be referred to the Committee on Committees.
Seconded and carried.
Senator Newlands moved the adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the subject of the Regulation and
Development of Rivers and Inland Waterways be transferred
from the Committee on Commerce to the Committee on
Interstate Commerce.
The motion was referred to the Steering Committee.
Senator Williams moved, as the sense of the Caucus, that each Senator
have not more than 3 rooms.
Senator O'Gorman moved to refer resolution of Senator Williams to the
Democratic members of the Committee on Rules, which was declared
carried.
Senator Newlands then presented the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That hereafter, rooms and seats be assigned
according to seniority and where two or more are of the same
period of service, by lot.
Senator Swanson moved that this Resolution be laid on the table, and
this motion prevailed.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned to meet at ten o'clock a.m.,
Friday, March 7th, 1913.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[March 7, 1913]
MARCH 7, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met at 10 o'clock a.m., Friday,
March 7th, 1913.
Meeting called to order by the Chairman.
The calling of the roll disclosed 46 Senators present. Senators Lane,
Robinson and Shields being absent.
The Committee on Patronage reported partially through Senator Overman,
and was continued.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of President pro tem.
Senator O'Gorman nominated Senator Clarke of Arkansas.
Senator Smith of Georgia nominated Senator Bacon.
Senator Clarke receiving 27 votes to 14 for Mr. Bacon, was declared
elected President pro tem.
The election of a Chaplain to the Senate was then proceeded with:
Senator Smith (Maryland) nominated Rev. F. J. Prettyman and nomination
seconded by Senators Overman, Smith (South Carolina), Swanson and Owen.
Senator Martine nominated Rev. A.W. Spooner. Mr. Spooner's nomination
seconded by Senator Myers.
Senator Pomerene nominated Rev. Thomas Gordon and nomination seconded by
Senator Shafroth.
Senator Ransdell nominated Rev. Hugh T. Stephens, and this nomination
seconded by Senators Johnston and O'Gorman.
Senator Williams nominated Rev. James H. Taylor, and seconded by Senator
James.
Senator Fletcher nominated Rev. U.G. B. Pierce.
After two ballots, without election, Senator O'Gorman moved to postpone
the election of a Chaplain until a day in May to be designated by
Chairman.
This motion laid on table.
On the 3rd ballot for Chaplain, Rev. F. J. Prettyman, receiving 25
votes, sufficient to elect, was declared elected and his election was,
on motion, made unanimous.
It was then moved that the meeting proceed to the election of a
Secretary of the Senate.
Senator Hughes moved that nominating speeches be limited to three
minutes. Carried.
Senator Williams nominated Robert M. Gates.
Senator Tillman nominated James M. Baker. Mr. Baker's nomination
seconded by Senators Pomerene, Clarke, Swanson and Johnston.
Senator Martine nominated Joseph C. Spriggs.
Senator Johnston nominated Thomas B. Stallings.
Senator Lea nominated Joseph R. Wilson and nomination seconded by
Senator Pittman.
Senator O'Gorman nominated Thomas W. Keller.
It was moved by Senator Lea that the election of a Secretary of the
Senate be postponed until Saturday morning, March 8th, 1913, at ten
o'clock, and that a committee of five be appointed to examine evidence
in the Baker matter.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ James M. Baker of South Carolina had served in the Senate since
1893, when he was appointed assistant librarian of the Senate Library,
and ``Democratic caucus representative.'' Before his election as
secretary of the Senate, a special committee examined his financial
relationship with Sully & Company. He held the office of secretary until
1919.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On motion the Caucus took a recess until four o'clock, p.m., March 7th,
at which time it was agreed that the election of a Sergeant-at-Arms
should be taken up.
__________________________________________
The Democratic Senatorial Caucus re-assembled at four o'clock, Friday
afternoon, March 7th, 1913.
The meeting proceeded to the election of a Sergeant-at-Arms.
Senator Ashurst nominated Lee Crandall; nomination seconded by Senator
Smith of Arizona.
Senator Stone nominated Charles P. Higgins and this nomination seconded
by Senator Reed. Senator Swanson placed the name of Mr. Willis of
Virginia in nomination.
Senator Gore nominated John M. Young.
On the third ballot, receiving the vote of 27 against 19 for Young,
Charles P. Higgins was declared elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate.
Senator Thomas [moved] that the Caucus take a recess until Saturday
morning, March 8th, 1913, at 11 o'clock, which motion prevailed.
____________________________________________________
[March 8, 1913]
MARCH 8, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met at 11 o'clock a.m., Saturday,
March 8th, 1913.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
The calling of the roll disclosed 47 Senators present, Senators Lane and
Robinson being absent.
The first business to come before the Caucus was the election of a
Secretary of the Senate.
By consent, James M. Baker, one of the nominees for that office, was
admitted to explain the Sully & Company matter, and made his statement,
reading letters, affidavits, &c., after debate.
At 12:30 o'clock, p.m., by order of the Caucus, the five-minute rule was
applied.
At 1:20 o'clock, p.m., debate ordered closed at 1:25 p.m. and a vote to
be ordered.
On the 2nd ballot, James M. Baker was nominated, receiving 25 votes
therefor, and his nomination was then made unanimous by acclamation.
The Caucus authorized the Chairman to deny the report as to Senator
Vardaman.
Senator Chilton then nominated Thomas Keller for the post of Assistant
Door Keeper, who was elected by acclamation.
The Caucus then adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[March 15, 1913]
MARCH 15, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March
15th, 1913.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
The calling of the roll disclosed 47 Senators present.
On motion, the reading of minutes of last preceding meeting was
dispensed with.
The Report of the Committee on Patronage was presented by Senator
Overman.
Senator Stone moved that the Chairman of the Committee on Patronage be
directed to have copies of the report of that Committee made and
distributed among all the Democratic Senators and that consideration of
said report be postponed until Monday, March 17th, 1913, at 10 o'clock,
a.m., which motion prevailed. [printed report follows:]
Confidential
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PATRONAGE TO THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Your committee, after three prolonged sessions, extending over many
hours each, have carefully considered your instructions to as the
division of patronage equally among the Democratic Senators and the
allowance to be made to the Republican minority, and have endeavored to
conform strictly to them.
In response to the second division of your instructions an exhaustive
examination in detail of the personnel of the employees of the Senate
has been made, and the questions of ``how many offices may be dispensed
with without injury to the efficiency of the work of the Senate, and the
amount to which each Senator is entitled. . . and whether the permanent
roll shall be continued and who shall be kept on the list'' have been
met as fully as time would allow.
The committee have come to the following conclusions and present the
following recommendations to the Caucus in obedience to its
instructions:
In the first place, they find that there is wisdom in the custom which
has grown up of retaining in the service of the Senate those employees
who by efficient experience, capacity, and diligence, expedite business
to the credit of the Senate and the comfort and advantage of the
individual Senators. They, therefore, recommend that the following
offices, 20 in number, in the office of the Secretary of the Senate,
aggregating total annual salary list of $39,960, be filled by their
present occupants during good behavior, subject to removal only for good
cause and by direction of the appointing officers and the committee on
patronage:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers retained, Secretary's Office
Position: Salary
Chief Clerk.............................................. $3,250
Financial Clerk.......................................... 4,250
Enrolling Clerk.......................................... 3,000
Principal Clerk (O.S.) 4................................. 3,000
4 ``O.S.'' was the abbreviation for ``Old Soldier.'' During
the late nineteenth century, many patronage posts on
Capitol Hill went to Civil War veterans, often one-armed,
or one-legged men. They were predominantly Union Army
veterans appointed by Republican members. In 1911, after
the Democrats won the majority in the House of
Representatives and narrowed the Republican margin in the
Senate, Idaho Republican Senator Weldon B. Heyburn
introduced a resolution permitting all Union veterans
still on the Senate payroll to hold their positions until
they voluntarily retired. One of the last senators to
``wave the bloody shirt,'' Senator Heyburn had won
national notoriety for opposing the placing of a statue of
General Robert E. Lee in the Capitol, or the spending of
federal funds for Confederate monuments. Heyburn died in
1912, the same year that Democrats captured the majority
in the Senate. Nevertheless, the Democrats honored the
Heyburn Resolution and retained the Union veterans on the
Senate patronage.
Assistant financial clerk................................ 2,750
Chief bookkeeper......................................... 2,500
Printing clerk........................................... 2,500
Clerk compiling history of revenue bills (O.S.).......... 2,500
Clerk.................................................... 2,220
Assistant in document room............................... 2,250
Clerk in document room (O.S.)............................ 1,440
Librarian................................................ 2,500
Keeper of stationery (O.S.).............................. 2,400
Laborer in stationery room (colored)..................... 720
3 laborers (colored) at $840............................. 2,520
3 laborers (colored) at $720............................. 2,160
------------
Total.................................................. 39,960
Deducting 4 positions held by old soldiers (indicated 9,340
above by ``O.S.'')......................................
------------
Leaves a total of...................................... 30,620
By this arrangement the following offices in the office of the
Secretary of the Senate would be filled by Republicans retained:
Financial clerk.......................................... $4,250
Enrolling clerk.......................................... 3,000
Chief bookkeeper......................................... 2,500
Printing clerk........................................... 2,500
Clerk.................................................... 2,220
Librarian................................................ 2,500
Compiler history of revenue bills (O.S.)................. 2,500
Clerk in document room (O.S.)............................ 1,440
Keeper of stationery (O.S.).............................. 2,400
------------
Total.................................................. 23,310
Deducting 3 positions held by old soldiers............... 6,340
------------
Leaves a total of...................................... 16,970
The following offices in the office of the Secretary of the Senate are
now filled by Democrats retained by the Republicans:
Chief clerk.............................................. $3,250
Principal clerk (O.S.)................................... 3,000
Assistant financial clerk................................ 2,750
Assistant in document room............................... 2,250
Clerk.................................................... 2,220
Assistant librarian...................................... 2,400
------------
Total.................................................. 15,870
Deducting the one position held by an old soldier........ 3,000
------------
Leaves a total of...................................... 12,870
Thus it is seen that the Republicans are conceded $4,100 more in
patronage than they have heretofore allowed the Democrats.
The committee from their inquiry into the several positions named and
provided for in the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation
act, in the office of the Secretary of the Senate, find that the
following positions need not be occupied because they are
supernumerary:
Compiler of the Navy Yearbook, etc....................... $2,220
Indexer Senate public documents.......................... 2,220
A clerk.................................................. 2,100
A messenger.............................................. 1,400
A clerk in stationery room............................... 1,440
Assistant librarian...................................... 1,600
Assistant in stationery room............................. 2,000
------------
Total.................................................. 13,020
It is believed that this may be done without lessening the efficiency
of the clerical and other forces, and it is of opinion that this course
ought to be followed.
There can be had by this means a saving of a good deal of money, and
while it lessens the amount of patronage which each Senator might have
allotted to him, the difference would not be very great and the policy
of it would be in true line with the declared promises of the party to
administer the affairs of every branch of the Government with as much
efficiency and with a greater regard to economy than has been done in
the past.
Eliminating these two classes of exemptions from patronage, the
following positions are subject to the appointment of the Secretary of
the Senate on the nomination of Senators:
Minute and journal clerk................................. $3,000
Reading clerk............................................ 3,000
Executive clerk.......................................... 2,750
File clerk............................................... 2,500
Assistant journal clerk.................................. 2,500
Clerks, two at $2,500.................................... 5,000
Clerk.................................................... 2,220
Clerk.................................................... 2,100
Clerk.................................................... 1,800
Clerk.................................................... 1,600
Assistant messenger...................................... 1,200
Assistant in document room............................... 2,250
Assistant in document room............................... 1,440
First assistant librarian................................ 2,400
Assistant librarian...................................... 1,800
Skilled laborers, 2 at $1,200............................ 2,400
Assistant in stationery room............................. 1,200
------------
Total.................................................. 39,160
RECAPITULATION, SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
In the office of the Secretary of the Senate there are 49 positions,
the salaries of which amount to $107,060.
Secretary, elected by Senate (including horse hire)...... $6,920
Assistant Secretary (H.M. Rose), $5,000 and 8,000
superintendent of document room (G.H. Boyd), $3,000,
both offices in appropriation act by name...............
9 officers and 7 colored laborers retained on account of 30,520
efficient experience....................................
4 officers, old soldiers, retained on account of Senate 9,340
resolution 72, of July 14, 1911.........................
7 supernumerary positions proposed to be abolished....... 13,020
19 positions subject to the appointment of the Secretary 39,180
on nominations by Senators..............................
------------
Total.................................................. 107,060
OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS
The committee recommend that the following employees on account of
efficient experience be retained during good behavior, subject to
removal only for good cause and by direction of the appointing officer
and the committee on patronage:
Doherty, E.W., messenger acting as assistant doorkeeper.. $1,800
Edwards, J.F., messenger acting as assistant doorkeeper.. 1,800
Anderson, R.S., messenger................................ 1,440
McGrain, J.J., storekeeper............................... 2,220
------------
Total.................................................. 7,260
The committee recommend that the following positions, 66 in number, the
salaries which aggregate $47,660, on account of the character of
service rendered, be exempted from patronage:
Clerk on Journal work for Congressional Record........... $2,000
Superintendent of Press Gallery.......................... 1,800
Assistant superintendent of Press Gallery................ 1,400
Messenger for service to press correspondents............ 900
Upholsterer and locksmith................................ 1,440
Cabinetmaker............................................. 1,200
3 carpenters at $1,080................................... 3,240
Chief telephone operator................................. 1,200
Telephone operator....................................... 900
Telephone page........................................... 720
4 skilled laborers at $1000.............................. 4,000
Skilled laborer.......................................... 900
Laborer in charge of private passage..................... 840
3 attendants in ladies' room, Capitol, at $720........... 2,160
2 attendants in ladies' room, Senate Office Building, at 1,440
$720....................................................
21 laborers at $720 (janitor force)...................... 15,120
Elevator conductor....................................... 1,200
16 pages at $300 ($2.50 per day)......................... 4,800
5 hostlers, Senate stable, at $480....................... 2,400
------------
Total.................................................. 47,660
According to the custom of the Senate heretofore, it is recommended
that 10 messengers, at $1,440 each, be detailed from the Sergeant at
Arms' office for service to the minority, $14,400.
Respecting Senate resolution of July 14, 1911, creating an old soldiers'
roll, it is found that 26 employees of the Sergeant at Arms, whose
salaries aggregate now $34,512.50, come under its protection. The
committee have considered each case and recommend that these employees
be given positions whose salaries aggregate $27,975, a total reduction
of $6,537.50.
Proposed salaries for employees on soldiers' roll, total $27,975.
Under the arrangement proposed by your committee the following offices
in the office of the Sergeant at Arms would be filled by Republicans
retained:
Messenger acting as assistant doorkeeper................. $1,800
10 messengers detailed to minority Senators, at $1,440... 14,400
5 messengers, old soldiers, at $1,440.................... 7,200
Foreman, folding room, old soldier....................... 1,400
Mail carrier, old soldier................................ 1,200
Elevator conductor, old soldier.......................... 1,200
3 folders, old soldiers, at $1,000....................... 3,000
2 riding pages, old soldiers, at $912.50................. 1,825
5 laborers, old soldiers, at $720........................ 3,600
Laborer.................................................. 720
7 privates, Capitol police, old soldiers, at $1,050...... 7,350
------------
37 positions, total salaries........................... 43,695
The following offices in the office of the Sergeant at Arms are now
filled by Democrats retained by Republicans:
Messenger acting as Assistant Doorkeeper................. $1,800
10 messengers detailed to minority Senators, at $1,440 14,400
each....................................................
Messenger................................................ 1,440
Storekeeper.............................................. 2,220
3 elevator conductors, at $1,200 each.................... 3,600
Elevator conductor, old soldier.......................... 1,200
Stenographer in charge furniture accounts, Senate Office 1,200
Building................................................
Private, Capitol police.................................. 1,050
Laborers (2) at $720..................................... 1,440
------------
21 positions, total salaries........................... 28,350
The committee, from their inquiry into the several positions named and
provided for in the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriations
act, in the office of the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, find that the
following positions need not be occupied, because they are
supernumerary:
Assistant Sergeant at Arms............................... $2,500
Messenger................................................ 1,440
Messenger, Senate Office Building........................ 1,440
Folder................................................... 1,000
Attendant in charge bathroom, Senate Office Building..... 1,800
Two attendants in bathroom, Senate Office Building, at 1,440
$720 each...............................................
Janitor, bathroom, Senate Office Building................ 720
Attendant, women's toilet room, Senate Office Building... 720
17 employees carried on ``Maltby Building roll'' 5....... 17,200
5 In 1891 the Senate purchased an apartment house on
Capitol Hill, known as the Maltby Building, to provide
extra office space, primarily for members of the minority
party and junior members of the majority party. In 1909
when the first Senate Office Building opened, the Maltby
Building was vacated. It stood empty until demolished in
1930.
17 privates, Capitol police--reduction made by 17,850
legislative appropriation act-- at $1,050...............
------------
Total.................................................. 46,190
Subtracting the above classes of exceptions and the positions
recommended to be abolished, the following positions are subject to the
appointment of the Sergeant at Arms on the nomination of Senators:
2 messengers on the floor of the Senate, at $2,000...... $4,000
2 messengers, acting assistant doorkeepers, at $1,800.... 3,600
21 messengers, at $1,440................................. 30,240
Messenger at card door................................... 1,600
Postmaster............................................... 2,250
Chief clerk, post office................................. 1,800
6 mail carriers, at $1,200............................... 7,200
2 messengers, acting as mail carriers, at $1,200......... 2,400
Riding page.............................................. 912.50
Assistant in folding room................................ 1,400
Clerk, folding room...................................... 1,200
2 folders, at $1,000..................................... 2,000
8 folders, at $840....................................... 6,720
Stenographer in charge of furniture accounts, Senate 1,200
Office Building.........................................
Janitor.................................................. 1,200
Laborer.................................................. 840
Laborer.................................................. 720
Telephone operator....................................... 900
Night telephone operator................................. 720
8 conductors of elevators, Capitol, at $1,200 each....... 9,600
13 conductors of elevators, Senate Office Building, at 15,600
$1,200 each.............................................
Captain of police........................................ 1,800
Lieutenant of police..................................... 1,200
Special police officer, Capitol.......................... 1,200
9 privates, Capitol police, at $1,050.................... 9,450
Special police officer, Senate Office Building........... 1,200
16 privates, police, Senate Office Building, at $1,050... 16,800
Foreman, Senate stable................................... 900
------------
106 positions, total salaries.......................... 128,652.50
RECAPITULATION, SERGEANT AT ARMS' OFFICE.
In the office of the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate there are 258
positions, the salaries of which amount to $284,241.50
Sergeant at Arms, elected by Senate, salary and horse $6,920
hire....................................................
Assistant Doorkeeper and Acting Assistant Doorkeeper, 5,104
elected by Senate, at $2,592............................
4 employees, retained on account of efficient experience. 7,260
24 employees, 16 pages, 21 laborers, and 5 hostlers, 47,660
exempted from patronage on account of character of
service rendered........................................
10 messengers, detailed to minority Senators............. 14,400
25 employees, old soldiers, retained on account of Senate 27,975
resolution of July 14, 1911.............................
45 supernumerary positions, proposed to be abolished..... 46,190
106 positions, subject to the appointment of the Sergeant 128,852.50
at Arms on nomination by Senators.......................
------------
Total.................................................. 284,241.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OLD SOLDIERS' ROLL OF THE SENATE
The committee find themselves confronted by the following resolution
(S. Res. 72), which was introduced by the late Senator Heyburn, of
Idaho, and adopted on July 14, 1911:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate and the Sergeant
at Arms of the Senate are hereby directed to retain in the
employ of the Senate those persons who served in the Union
Army during the late Civil War and whose service in the
Senate is necessary and satisfactory and who are not
otherwise provided for, and to continue such persons in
their positions until cause of their removal shall have been
reported to and approved of by the Senate and their removal
directed.
The names and positions of those entitled at that date to the
protection of this provision and who have qualified by exhibiting
honorable discharges from the service or pension certificates are given
below, together with the salaries and the total amount thereof:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Old soldier's roll of the Senate
[Under (Heyburn) Senate resolution 72, July 14, 1911.]
Office of the Secretary of the Senate:
A.C. Parkinson, principal clerk (D.)..................... $3,000
J.C. Donaldson, assistant librarian...................... 1,800
C.N. Richards, keeper of stationery...................... 2,400
R.R. Dutton, clerk....................................... 1,440
------------
Total.................................................. 8,640
Office of the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate:
J.A. Abbott, messenger, acting as assistant doorkeeper... 1,800
Wm. M. Palmer, messenger................................. 1,440
Geo. H. Bond, messenger.................................. 1,440
James McArthur, messenger................................ 1,440
A.D. Gaston, messenger................................... 1,440
A.J. Maxham, messenger................................... 1,440
O.M. Osbon, messenger.................................... 1,440
E.P. Getchell, messenger................................. 1,440
D.S. Corser, messenger................................... 1,440
W.G. Gallager, messenger................................. 1,440
D.M. Earle, messenger.................................... 1,440
Senate Post Office:
J.A. Crystal, postmaster................................. 2,250
G.M. Turner, mail carrier................................ 1,200
E.W. Foster, riding page................................. 912.50
Senate folding room:
H.H. Brewer, foreman..................................... 1,500
M.T. Coates, folder...................................... 1,000
J.W. Curran, folder...................................... 1,000
Senate Office Building:
J. Russell Williams (D.), elevator conductor............. 1,200
Peter Reily, elevator conductor.......................... 1,200
H. Baer, special officer................................. 1,200
Maltby:
C.C. Burr, elevator conductor............................ 800
------------
Total.................................................. 28,362.50
Capitol police:
J.P. Megrew, captain..................................... $1,800
John Hammond, lieutenant................................. 1,200
George Butler, private................................... 1,050
J.A. Burrows, private.................................... 1,050
H.A. Kasson, private..................................... 1,050
------------
Total.................................................. 6,150
------------
Grand total............................................ 43,152.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To attempt to repeal this class legislation (few Senators were
acquainted with the true import of the resolution) might, it is
apprehended, lead to a long debate and through misconception of the true
intent of the party arouse a hostile excitement which would not be
justified by the results. It has therefore been thought a safer plan to
suggest to the appointing officers the method of gradually putting these
men when found inefficient and incompetent into places carrying less
salary and of less weighty and important duties, and to fill the
vacancies thus created with men adapted to the work, capable of doing it
well, and worth the money. If the service were not handicapped by this
necessity, it can be seen without demonstration that a considerable
saving in positions could be had, and consequently of salaries.
The committee find in many instances that positions are filled by men
whose duties are entirely apart from the places they occupy. It is
suggested that this is one of those causes of offense which invites
criticism and should cease to exist. The manner and method of doing
this, it is believed, can be safely intrusted to the appointing officers
of the Senate, if this suggestion meets with the approval of the Caucus.
MALTBY.
The committee recommend that what is known as the Maltby roll
(miscellaneous items on account of Maltby Building in the contingent
allowance of the Senate), carrying $17,280, be immediately abolished.
The last appropriation act does this after July 1, 1913, and transfers
some of the employees to the regular roll of the Senate, where they will
be placed if their services are found to be necessary.
BATHROOMS, SENATE OFFICE BUILDING.
It is recommended that the bathrooms 6 of the Senate Office
Building be abolished. In doing this it would dispense with the services
of a masseur at $1,800 and three assistants at $720 each.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ ``Bathrooms'' referred to the area set aside when the Senate
Office Building opened in 1909 for a swimming pool, showers and steam
rooms, attended by masseurs. This was an extension of the marble bath
tubs that had been set up in the Capitol basement during the nineteenth
century, when members of Congress lived in Washington boardinghouses
that lacked bathing facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 13, 1911, it is understood from accurate sources, the net
amount of patronage to be divided among the 51 Republican Senators
amounted to $206,835, which gave each about $4,200.
By deducting the amount of the old soldiers' roll of the Senate,
$43,152.50, which was subject to patronage in June, 1911, before the
passage of the Heyburn resolution in July, it will be seen that the
total residue of patronage was $163,682.50, or about $3,273 to each
Republican Senator.
Assuming that the recommendations of this committee will be accepted by
the Caucus, each Democratic Senator will be entitled to recommend
appointments to positions the salaries of which will amount in the
aggregate to $3,360.
The committee recommend that the Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant
at Arms of the Senate, and the Superintendent of the Capitol, by and
with the approval of the committee on patronage, readjust the
distribution of those offices to which appointments are to be made on
recommendation, so that each Democratic Senator shall receive as nearly
as practicable the amount of patronage due him under this plan.
The Republicans allowed the Democrats in the Secretary's office 6
positions with salaries totaling $15,870, and in the Sergeant at Arms'
office 21 positions totaling $28,350, a grand total of $44,220. The
Democrats under this proposed arrangement allow the Republicans 9
positions in the Secretary's office, $23,310, and 37 in the Sergeant at
Arms' office, $43,695, a grand total of $67,005. This makes a difference
in favor of Republicans of $22,785, which is largely accounted for by
the old soldiers' roll now exempted from patronage.
Patronage to be available
Sergeant at Arms' office
Total appropriation for salaries...................... $284,241.50
Total amount of exemptions for all causes............. 155,399.00
---------------
Balance............................................. 128,842.50
Secretary's office:
Total appropriation for salaries...................... $107,060.00
Total amount of exemptions for all causes............. 67,900.00
---------------
Balance............................................. 39,160.00
Total amount of patronage, both offices............... 168,002.50
Divided by 50 Democratic Senators....................... 3,360.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chairman of the Steering Committee, Senator Kern, then presented the
Report of that Committee, as follows:
Gentlemen of the Conference:
As chairman of your Steering Committee, I have the honor to
present to you a report of the action of that Committee,
indulging in the hope that it may meet your approval.
Your Committee addressed itself to the work assigned to it,
with a full sense of the responsibility attaching to such
work--responsibility to this majority, to the Senate and to
the country. It was the earnest desire of every member of
that Committee, in the formation of Senate Committees, to
respect the desires of their fellow Democrats as to
assignments.
In many instances, where many Senators preferred requests
for the same places, it was of course impossible to
accommodate all, and in such case we have done the best we
could, keeping in mind all the time the welfare of party and
country, and the necessity for party harmony.
If there are Senators here who are disappointed in their
assignments, I feel sure that, recognizing the difficulties
under which the committee labored, they will not hesitate to
accept the places to which they have been assigned and
proceed to the discharge of their duties in a spirit of
concession and forbearance which will aid in bringing about
that unity of action so necessary to the success of the
measures for the enactment of which we hold a commission
from the American people.
Your committee proposes certain reforms, not only the
processes of procedure in the Senate, but in the political
methods of our party in its organization.
We propose that this great body shall be democratic, not
only in name, but in practical reality, and that the charge
so often made that it is controlled by a few men through
committee organization and otherwise, shall no longer have
any basis in fact.
We therefore submit to the Conference two resolutions for
its consideration, which if adopted will as we believe,
enable the Senate to become a more powerful agency for the
registration of the public will and more quickly respond to
the desires and demands of the people as expressed at the
polls.
The first of these resolutions addressed to the subject of Committee
work, is as follows:
Resolved, That a majority of the Democratic members of any
committee may call a meeting of such committee, and shall
select, by a recorded vote of such members, all Democratic
members of conference committees and of all subcommittees
representing the committee.
The second, which undertakes to regulate and govern in the future, the
procedure of our party in the work of Senate organization, is as
follows:
Resolved: 1. That hereafter the members of the steering
committee shall be elected by the Conference.
2. That hereafter the majority members of committees shall
elect their own chairmen.
3. That all vacancies on committees in the future shall be
nominated by the Steering Committee, subject to the approval
of the Conference.
Speaking for the entire committee, I hope these resolutions may be
adopted, to the end that the country may know in advance that the Senate
of the United States, under Democratic control, is an active, efficient,
and sympathetic branch of this great popular government, which, freed
from some of the shackles of custom and precedent and able to respond
quickly to the will of the people, will without surrendering any of its
constitutional prerogatives, or losing sight of the position which the
fathers of the Republic intended it to occupy, take its proper place,
and do its full share of work in the great progressive movement of the
twentieth century, in which are centered the hopes and aspirations of a
hundred million free people.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT OF SENATORS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sixty-Third Congress
March 15, 1913.
Mr. ASHURST............................. Industrial Expositions,
chairman
Forest Reservations and the
Protection of Game
Indian Affairs
Judiciary
Mines and Mining
Pensions
Public Buildings and Grounds
Woman Suffrage
Mr. BACON............................... Foreign Relations, chairman
Corporations Organized in the
District of Columbia
Expenditures in the Post
Office Department
Judiciary
Private Land Claims
Railroads
Rules
Standards, Weights, and
Measures
Mr. BANKHEAD............................ Post Offices and Post Roads,
chairman
Coast and Insular Survey
Commerce
Conservation of National
Resources
Education and Labor
Standards, Weights, and
Measures
Transportation Routes to the
Seaboard
Mr. BRYAN............................... Claims, chairman
Appropriations
Coast and Insular Survey
Industrial Expositions
Investigate Trespassers on
Indian Lands
Naval Affairs
Pensions
Post Offices and Post Roads
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN......................... Public Lands, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Appropriations
Commerce
Military Affairs
National Banks
Territories
Mr. CHILTON............................. Census, chairman
Expenditures in the
Departments of Commerce and
Labor
Expenditures in the Post
Office Department
Interoceanic Canals
Judiciary
Naval Affairs
Post Offices and Post Roads
Printing
Revolutionary Claims
Mr. CLARKE of Arkansas.................. Commerce, chairman
Expenditures in the Department
of Agriculture
Five Civilized Tribes of
Indians
Foreign Relations
Indian Depredations
Military Affairs
Railroads
Transportation Routes to the
Seaboard
Mr. CULBERSON........................... Judiciary, chairman
Appropriations
Coast and Insular Survey
Examine the Several Branches
of the Civil Service
Public Buildings and Grounds
Public Health and National
Quarantine
Mr. FLETCHER............................ Printing, chairman
Commerce
Fisheries
Judiciary
Military Affairs
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Philippines
Public Health and National
Quarantine
Mr. GORE................................ Agriculture and Forestry,
chairman
Canadian Relations
Finance
Immigration
Irrigation and Reclamation of
Arid Lands
Patents
Pensions
Mr. HITCHCOCK........................... Philippines, chairman
Banking and Currency
Foreign Relations
Forest Reservations and the
Protection of Game
Military Affairs
Private Land Claims
Printing
Territories
Mr. HOLLIS.............................. Enrolled Bills, chairman
Banking and Currency
Civil Service and Retrenchment
District of Columbia
Expenditures in the Interior
Department
Immigration
Military Affairs
Transportation and Sale of
Meat Products
University of the United
States
Woman Suffrage
Mr. HUGHES.............................. Expenditures in the Navy
Department, chairman
Additional Accommodations for
the Library of Congress
Finance
Pensions
Privileges and Elections
Public Health and National
Quarantine
Public Lands
Standards, Weights, and
Measures
Transportation Routes to the
Seaboard
Mr. JAMES............................... Patents, chairman
Civil Service and Retrenchment
Conservation of National
Resources
District of Columbia
Enrolled Bills
Finance
Geological Survey
Investigate Trespassers upon
Indian Lands
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Mr. JOHNSON............................. National Banks, chairman
Claims
Coast Defense
Education and Labor
Finance
Naval Affairs
Pensions
Privileges and Elections
Territories
Mr. JOHNSTON............................ Military Affairs, chairman
Civil Service and Retrenchment
Expenditures in the War
Department
Indian Depredations
Mines and Mining
Public Buildings and Grounds
Revision of the Laws of the
United States
University of the United
States
Mr. KERN................................ Privileges and Elections,
chairman
District of Columbia
Geological Survey
Immigration
Interstate Commerce
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Printing
Public Buildings and Grounds
Rules
Mr. LANE................................ Forest Reservations and the
Protection of Game, chairman
Claims
Coast Defenses
Expenditures in the War
Department
Fisheries
Indian Affairs
Irrigation
Philippines
Public Buildings and Grounds
Mr. LEA................................. Library, chairman
Appropriations
Disposition of Useless Papers
in the Executive Departments
Examine the Several Branches
of the Civil Service
Expenditures in the Treasury
Department
Military Affairs
Post Offices and Post Roads
Privileges and Elections
Mr. MARTIN.............................. Appropriations, chairman
Claims
Commerce
District of Columbia
Expenditures in the
Departments of Commerce and
Labor
Expenditures in the Navy
Department
Fisheries
Mr. MARTINE............................. Coast Defenses, chairman
Census
Education and Labor
Industrial Expositions
National Banks
Philippines
Post Offices and Post Roads
Public Buildings and Grounds
Mr. MYERS............................... Irrigation and Reclamation of
Arid Lands, chairman
Civil Service and Retrenchment
Indian Affairs
Indian Depredations
Industrial Expositions
Interstate Commerce
Military Affairs
Public Lands
Revolutionary Claims
Mr. NEWLANDS............................ Interstate Commerce, chairman
Conservation of National
Resources
Disposition of Useless Papers
in Executive Departments
Five Civilized Tribes of
Indians
Indian Depredations
Library
Revolutionary Claims
Mr. O'GORMAN............................ Interoceanic Canals, chairman
Banking and Currency
Foreign Relations
Immigration
Judiciary
Manufactures
Naval Affairs
Rules
Mr. OVERMAN............................. Rules, chairman
Appropriations
Claims
Forest Reservations and
Protection of Game
Industrial Expositions
Judiciary
University of the United
States
Mr. OWEN................................ Banking and Currency, chairman
Appropriations
Indian Affairs
Interoceanic Canals
Library
Public Health and National
Quarantine
Territories
Woman Suffrage
Mr. PITTMAN............................. Territories, chairman
Claims
Coast and Insular Survey
Expenditures in the Department
of Justice
Indian Affairs
Industrial Expositions
Irrigation and Reclamation of
Arid Lands
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Pacific Railroads
Mr. POMERENE............................ Civil Service and
Retrenchment, chairman
Banking and Currency
Census
District of Columbia
Foreign Relations
Indian Depredations
Interstate Commerce
Manufactures
Privileges and Elections
Mr. RANSDELL............................ Public Health and National
Quarantine, chairman
Agriculture
Canadian Relations
Civil Service and Retrenchment
Commerce
Expenditures in the State
Department
Philippines
Public Lands
Woman Suffrage
Mr. REED................................ Manufactures, chairman
Audit and Control the
Contingent Expenses of the
Senate
Banking and Currency
Judiciary
Pacific Railroads
Philippines
Privileges and Elections
Public Buildings and Grounds
Railroads
Mr. ROBINSON............................ Expenditures in the Treasury
Department, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Claims
Expenditures in the Department
of Justice
Immigration
Indian Affairs
Interstate Commerce
Revision of the Laws of the
United States (joint)
Public Lands
Mr. SAULSBURY........................... Coast and Insular Survey,
chairman
District of Columbia
Engrossed Bills
Interstate Commerce
Manufactures
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Pacific Railroads
Public Buildings and Grounds
University of the United
States
Mr. SHAFROTH............................ Pacific Islands and Porto
Rico, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Appropriations
Audit and Control the
Contingent Expenses of the
Senate
Banking and Currency
Conservation of National
Resources
Mines and Mining
Philippines
Transportation and Sale of
Meat Products
Mr. SHEPPARD............................ Expenditures in the Department
of Agriculture, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Census
Coast Defenses
Commerce
Immigration
Irrigation
Transportation Routes to the
Seaboard
Mr. SHIELDS............................. Canadian Relations, chairman
Commerce
Education and Labor
Expenditures in the War
Department
Industrial Expositions
Interoceanic Canals
Judiciary
Mississippi River and its
Tributaries
Mr. SHIVELY............................. Pensions, chairman
Census
Corporations Organized in the
District of Columbia
Education and Labor
Finance
Foreign Relations
Library
Pacific Railroads
Patents
Territories
Mr. SIMMONS............................. Finance, chairman
Coast Defenses
Commerce
Engrossed Bills
Examine the Several Branches
of the Civil Service
Expenditures in the Department
of Agriculture
Interoceanic Canals
Transportation and Sale of
Meat Products
Mr. SMITH of Arizona.................... Conservation of National
Resources, chairman
District of Columbia
Foreign Relations
Geological Survey
Irrigation and Reclamation of
Arid Lands
Printing
Public Lands
Railroads
Mr. SMITH of Georgia.................... Education and Labor, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Finance
Library
Post Offices and Post Roads
Mr. SMITH of Maryland................... District of Columbia, chairman
Appropriations
Canadian Relations
Coast Defenses
Examine the Several Branches
of the Civil Service
Expenditures in the Treasury
Department
Investigate Trespassers upon
Indian Lands
Naval Affairs
Mr. SMITH of South Carolina............. Immigration, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Conservation of National
Resources
Geological Survey
Interstate Commerce
Manufactures
Patents
Post Offices and Post Roads
Railroads
Mr. STONE............................... Indian Affairs, chairman
Corporations Organized in the
District of Columbia
Additional Accommodations for
the Library of Congress
Expenditures in the Department
of State
Finance
Foreign Relations
Mississippi River and
Tributaries
Pacific Railroads
Mr. SWANSON............................. Public Buildings and Grounds,
chairman
Education and Labor
Expenditures in the Interior
Department
Foreign Relations
Indian Depredations
Naval Affairs
Post Offices and Post Roads
Mr. THOMAS.............................. Woman Suffrage, chairman
Finance
Interoceanic Canals
Library
Military Affairs
Private Land Claims
Public Lands
Mr. THOMPSON............................ Expenditures in the
Departments of Commerce and
Labor, chairman
Agriculture and Forestry
Census
Conservation of National
Resources
Indian Affairs
Interstate Commerce
Irrigation and Reclamation of
Arid Lands
Privileges and Elections
Public Lands
Mr. THORNTON............................ Fisheries, chairman
Census
Indian Affairs
Interoceanic Canals
Manufactures
Mines and Mining
Mississippi River and its
Tributaries
Naval Affairs
Mr. TILLMAN............................. Naval Affairs, chairman
Appropriations
Expenditures in the Navy
Department
Five Civilized Tribes of
Indians
Forest Reservations and the
Protection of Game
Mines and Mining
Private Land Claims
Mr. VARDAMAN............................ Expenditures in the Post
Office Department, chairman
Additional Accommodations for
the Library of Congress
Commerce
Conservation of National
Resources
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Post Offices and Post Roads
Privileges and Elections
Transportation Routes to the
Seaboard
Mr. WALSH............................... Mines and Mining, chairman
Canadian Relations
Interoceanic Canals
Judiciary
Pensions
Philippines
Privileges and Elections
Territories
Mr. WILLIAMS............................ Audit and Control of the
Contingent Expenses of the
Senate, chairman
Finance
Foreign Relations
Mississippi River and its
Tributaries
Public Health and National
Quarantine
Railroads
Rules
University of the United
States
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On motion, action of the Resolutions proposed in the Report of the
Steering Committee, was deferred.
Senator Tillman moved the adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the report of the Steering Committee just
presented be disapproved; that the Report be referred back
to said Committee with instructions to substitute Tillman's
name for Martin's as Chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ In 1908 and 1910 Senator Tillman suffered a paralytic stroke and a
cerebral hemorrhage, which left him a permanent invalid and caused his
frequent absences from the Senate. Under the caucus's seniority
practice, Tillman was entitled to choose between chairing the committees
on Appropriations, Interstate Commerce, and Naval Affairs. Tillman
informed the caucus that he preferred the Appropriations Committee.
However, the caucus determined that Tillman's ill health would prevent
him from functioning effectively as chairman of the powerful
Appropriations Committee, and assigned him--over his protests--the less
arduous task of chairing the Naval Affairs Committee. See Francis Butler
Simkins, Pitchfork Ben Tillman: South Carolinian (Baton Rouge: Louisiana
State University Press, 1944), pp. 508-10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the request of Senator Tillman, a roll call on said resolution
resulted as follows:
Yeas 4
Nays 33
The motion was therefore lost.
Senator Sheppard then moved the adoption of the report of the Steering
Committee on assignment of the Committees of the Senate, and this motion
prevailed.
Senator Bankhead moved to postpone the adoption of the resolutions
contained in the Report of the Steering Committee until the first
Conference of the Extra Session. Carried.
On motion, the Caucus then adjourned to meet Monday morning, March 17th,
1913, at ten o'clock, a.m.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[March 17, 1913]
MARCH 17, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met on Monday morning, March 17th,
1913, at ten o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
The calling of the roll disclosed 30 Senators present and 20 absent.
By a vote of the Caucus, the speech of Senator Tillman at the last
meeting of the Caucus was released for the newspapers.
Senator Sheppard moved that a resolution be adopted by the Caucus
providing an additional employe[e] for each Democratic Chairman having
only two employe[e]s of his Committee, and that a resolution be prepared
to that effect and presented to the Senate, such employe[e] to be paid
out of the contingent fund. Unanimously adopted.
The Chairman appointed as a Committee to draft such a resolution
Senators Sheppard, Thompson and Saulsbury.
Senator James moved that the matter of assignment of rooms be referred
to the Committee on Rules. Declared carried, after amendment offered by
Senator Gore that [the] Committee on Rules report back their action to
the Caucus was lost.
The Caucus then adjourned until three o'clock Monday afternoon.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
__________________________________________
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate reconvened at 3:20 o'clock, Monday
afternoon, March 17, 1913.
The motion to give and provide for assignment to each Democratic
Chairman of a Committee two Clerks and one Messenger was unanimously
adopted and the Committees of the Senate were directed to carry out the
true intent of this motion.
Senator Swanson offered the following resolution, which was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED, That the Report of the Committee on Patronage be
received and that the Committee be directed to proceed to
arrange with Democratic Senators for a distribution of
patronage, including all employe[e]s, as nearly as possible
equally among Democratic Senators. That in doing so the
substance of the Committee's Report be approved except as
the Committee may find it possible to enlarge the quota of
each Senator on further consideration by modifying the
exemptions and abolition of offices. That as to the
permanent roll, the Committee on Division of Patronage,
hereinafter provided for, shall substitute a Democrat for a
Republican where the same may be done without substantial
detriment to the efficient service of the Senate and their
obligation to the Republican minority.
On motion of Senator Martine, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of the Democratic Members of
the United States Senate, in Caucus assembled, that the
Supervisor of the Senate Building is hereby authorized and
instructed to remove all Bath Rooms and appliances thereto,
as now existing in the Senate Office Building and Further
that all attendants in said Bath Rooms are herewith
discharged.
The request of Senator [Joseph L.] Bristow [Republican, Kansas] was
referred to the Steering Committee.
The Caucus then adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
[Editor's Note: On April 8, 1913, President Wilson broke with
tradition to address a joint session of Congress about the need to lower
tariff duties, which he declared had become ``a set of privileges and
exemptions from competition behind which it was easy by any, even the
crudest, forms of competition to organize monopoly.'' The following day,
Wilson went to the President's Room, outside the Senate chamber, to meet
personally with members of the Senate Finance Committee. The Democratic
majority in the House acted swiftly. Led by House Ways and Means
Committee chairman Oscar W. Underwood (Democrat, Alabama), the House
enacted the tariff bill on May 8, by a vote of 281 to 139. However, the
Wilson administration was aware that previous efforts to reduce the
tariff had passed the House only to be reversed in the Senate.
In the Senate the tariff bill was managed by Finance Committee
chairman Furnifold Simmons (Democrat, North Carolina), who had
previously supported the high-rate Payne-Aldrich Tariff of 1909, in
return for protectionist rates for cotton textiles, lumber and other
interests in his state. Although Simmons pledged his support for
Wilson's tariff proposals, Democrats chose to debate the tariff rates
more in the caucus rather than the Finance Committee. This strategy
risked alienating progressive Republicans, who were excluded from the
caucus proceedings. Given that the two Louisiana Democratic senators
opposed the tariff because it lowered rates for sugar imports, any
additional defections would have denied the Democrats enough votes to
pass the tariff without significant compromise. In addition to his
personal lobbying, Wilson pressured the Senate through public opinion.
At his press conference on May 26, President Wilson denounced the
``extraordinary lobbying'' efforts against the tariff bill. ``This town
is swarming with lobbyists,'' the president asserted, calling it ``as
concerted an effort, I dare say, as has ever been made to influence
governmental legislation by the pressure of public interests.''
8 A subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Lee
S. Overman (Democrat, North Carolina) investigated Wilson's charges,
uncovering evidence of extensive lobbying and of senators who had
personal financial interest in businesses that were affected by tariff
duties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Arthur S. Link, et al., eds., The Papers of Woodrow Wilson
(Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1978), 27: 471-72.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
These revelations helped the Democratic Conference maintain a united
position on tariff reductions. On July 7, the caucus voted to make the
tariff bill ``a party measure,'' and to call for the Democratic senators
to unite in support of the bill as amended in the caucus. The Underwood-
Simmons bill went to the Senate on July 11, and was approved by a vote
of 44 to 37 on August 9, with all Democrats voting for or paired in
favor of the bill, except for the two senators from
Louisiana.9]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ See Arthur S. Link, Wilson: the New Freedom (Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 1956), pp. 177-97. A compendium of the votes on the
tariff, showing the extraordinary unity among Democratic senators, was
published as Senate Document 556, 63rd Congress, 2nd Session, Underwood-
Simmons Tariff Bill; Yea and Nay Votes in the United States Senate
(Washington: Government Printing Office, 1914).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
[April 8, 1913]
APRIL 8, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday afternoon,
April 8th, 1913.
The roll call disclosed 39 Senators present.
The Chairman stated to the meeting unfinished business to be the reason
for the call of the caucus.
Senator Tillman submitted to the caucus the matter of Door Keeper
Anderson taken from the permanent roll and assigned to him as patronage,
and this was referred to the Committee on Patronage.
The following resolution, heretofore submitted to the caucus in the
report of the Steering Committee, was then read to the meeting:
RESOLVED, That a majority of the Democratic members of any
committee may call a meeting of such committee, and shall
select, by a recorded vote of such members, all Democratic
members of conference committees and of all sub-committees
representing the Committee.
Senator O'Gorman moved that the word ``may'' be substituted for the word
``shall'' where it appears in said resolution, and this amendment was
adopted by unanimous consent.
Senator Williams then offered the following as a substitute:
RESOLVED, That hereafter the Chairman in selecting conferees
and subcommittees shall not be guided solely by the rule of
the committee rank but by such consideration of efficiency
as may seem good to them and their respective committee,
which was lost, and the Resolution, as amended and adopted
by the caucus, now reads as follows:
RESOLVED, That a majority of the Democratic Members of any
Committee may call a meeting of such committee, and may
select, by a recorded vote of such members, all Democratic
members of conference committee and of all subcommittees
representing the committee.
The consideration of the following resolutions, heretofore submitted,
was then taken up:
RESOLVED:
1. That hereafter the members of the Steering Committee
shall be elected by the conference.
2. That hereafter the majority members of committees
shall elect their own Chairman.
3. That all vacancies on Committees in the future shall
be nominated by the Steering Committee subject to the
approval of the conference.
The consideration of said resolutions was postponed until a later
caucus.
Senator Newlands moved that it is the sense of the caucus that the duty
on sugar and wool be reduced forty per cent.
The Caucus then adjourned (with this motion not acted on) subject to the
Call of the Chairman.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[May 5, 1913]
MAY 5, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met at 11 o'clock, a.m., Monday, May
5th, A.D. 1913.
The calling of the roll disclosed 38 Senators present.
The Chairman stated the reason of the call for the meeting to be the
humiliation caused by the failure of Democrats to muster a majority in
the session of the Senate on Thursday last (May 1st) and asked that this
condition be remedied.
Senator Swanson then offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this Caucus that no member
shall absent himself from any session of the Senate without
first reporting to and getting the consent of the Chairman
of the Caucus for his absence.
The above resolution was unanimously adopted.
On motion of Senator Williams, the caucus adjourned to meet at 11
o'clock, a.m., Tuesday, May 6th, 1913.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[May 6, 1913]
MAY 6, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met on Tuesday morning, May 6th,
1913, at eleven o'clock, 37 Senators being present.
Senator Williams introduced the matter of the Report of the Committee
[to] Audit and [Control the] Contingent Expenses of the Senate against
giving Republicans three employees, calling attention to the previous
action of the Caucus, deciding to give Republicans only what the
Republicans had given to the Democrats, and moving that the previous
action of the Caucus, (giving to the Republicans only what they had
allowed the Democrats) be strictly adhered to and that participants in
the Caucus be bound thereby.
This motion of Senator Williams was unanimously adopted after Senator
Newlands had offered the following substitute:
RESOLVED, That each Senator of the Minority other than
Chairmen of Committees be allowed an additional stenographer
at a salary of twelve hundred dollars per annum,--which
motion as offered by Senator Newlands was subsequently
withdrawn and the motion of Senator Williams adopted
unanimously by the Caucus, as stated.
Senator Newlands then offered the following Resolution:
RESOLVED, That the duties fixed by the pending Bill shall
take full effect on the first day of January, A.D. 1916, and
that the difference between the existing duties and those
fixed by such bill shall be gradually reduced between the
first day of January, A.D. 1914, and the first day of
January, A.D. 1916, as follows: One-third thereof on the
first day of January, A.D. 1914; one-third thereof on the
first day of January, A.D. 1915; and one-third thereof on
the first day of January, A.D. 1916.
Pending discussion of the Resolution offered by Senator Newlands, the
Caucus adjourned.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[May 19, 1913]
MAY 19, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met on Monday morning, May 19th,
1913, at eleven o'clock, the calling of the roll showing 36 Senators
present.
The Chairman stated that the matter of ``Senators Pairs'' was the reason
for the calling of the Caucus.
Senator Owen moved that all pairs be canceled, after reasonable notice,
so far as they apply to Executive Sessions. That notice be given of the
cancellation of all pairs, to take effect with regard to Republican
Senators now present in Washington on Wednesday at the meeting of the
Senate, and as to Republican Senators absent from the City, to take
effect six days from this date. That there be no cancellation with
regard to Republicans who are sick and physically unable to attend the
Senate.
Senator Owen then offered the following Resolution:
RESOLVED, That each Democratic Senator shall advise his
Republican Pair that he will reserve the right to vote in
Executive Session, to take effect as to Senators in
Washington immediately after actual notice, and giving time
to any absent Senator sufficient to be present but not to
include a Senator now sick and confined to the house.
Senator Swanson then moved the adoption of the following Resolution as a
substitute for the Resolution offered by Senator Owen:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this Caucus that
Democratic Senators shall as soon as possible arrange their
pairs so as to reserve the privilege of voting in Executive
Session, when necessary to make a quorum, or for the entire
Executive Session.
On motion, the resolution of Senator Swanson was adopted unanimously by
the Caucus.
The following resolution was then proposed by Senator Hollis:
RESOLVED, That the Chair appoint a Committee of Five, to
confer with the Democratic Congressional Committee from the
House of Representatives and a similar Committee from the
National Committee, to formulate and report upon a permanent
plan for the conduct of Senatorial and Congressional
elections.
The Caucus adjourned during discussion of this resolution.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
Chair appointed the following Senators on the committee authorized by
above resolution adopted on [May 28, 1913].
Chamberlain
Shively
Newlands
Smith of Ariz.
Thomas
____________________________________________________
[May 28, 1913]
MAY 28, 1913
The Democratic Caucus of the Senate met on Wednesday morning, May 28th,
1913, at 10:30 o'clock, the calling of the roll disclosing thirty-three
Senators present.
The object of this meeting of the Caucus, as stated by the Chairman, was
to consider the proposed absence of several Democratic Senators.
Senator Simmons offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this Conference that in
view of important matters likely to come before the Senate
at any time, and of complications likely to arise both in
legislative and executive sessions, Senators are requested
to be in attendance throughout the present session, unless
absent for important reasons. Adopted unanimously.
Senator Stone advocated the selection of a Democratic ``whip'' so-called
and moved that Senator Lewis 10 be appointed to assist the
Chairman in securing the attendance of Senators on all necessary
occasions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ James Hamilton Lewis, Illinois, 1913-1919, 1931-1939, served as
Democratic whip throughout his service in the Senate. He was the first
senator of either party to hold that title.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The resolution of Senator Hollis, at last meeting, proposing to appoint
Senators to co-operate with the Democratic Congressional Committee and
the Democratic National Committee, was then unanimously
adopted.11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ On May 29, 1913, the Washington Post identified the senators
named to meet with the Democratic National Committee as Senators Gore,
Chamberlain, Shively, Newlands, and Thomas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator James moved that the Committee on Naval Affairs be increased by
one member, which was adopted.
Senator Vardaman moved that the Chairmen of the Senate Committees be
requested to adjourn their committee meetings in sufficient time to meet
in Caucus at the time for which Caucus may be called.
Certain committee changes were then agreed to by the Caucus by the
surrender of places by certain senators and the appointment of Senator
Lewis in their stead.12
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ To provide Senator Lewis with committee assignments, Senator Kern
relinquished his seat on Interstate Commerce, Senator Hitchcock the
Printing Committee, Senator Thornton the Pacific Islands and Porto Rico
Committee, Senator Saulsbury the Committee on Manufactures, Senator
Clarke the Railroads Committee, and Senator Chamberlain the National
Banks Committee. Lewis was also made chairman of the Committee on
Expenditures in the State Department. See Washington Post, May 29, 1913.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The meeting thereupon adjourned.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[June 20, 1913]
JUNE 20, 1913
The Democratic Caucus was called to order by the Chairman, Friday, June
20th, 1913, at ten o'clock, a.m.
34 Senators were present.
Senator Simmons, Chairman of the Finance Committee, made statement to
the Caucus concerning the action of the Caucus comparing changes in the
proposed bill with the House Bill, during which there was considerable
discussion and at one o'clock, Senator Swanson moved that the Finance
Committee be authorized to give out to the representatives of the Press
desiring it the draft of H.[R.] 3321 submitted by the Finance Committee
with proposed amendments, together with a statement by the Chairman of
the Finance Committee, showing the actual conditions as to the
reductions proposed by the Senate Committee and that all of the members
of the Caucus shall refrain from making statements to the press.
This motion unanimously prevailed and the Caucus then adjourned to meet
on Saturday, June 21st, 1913, at ten o'clock, a.m.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[June 21, 1913]
JUNE 21, 1913
Democratic Caucus of the Senate met on Saturday, June 21st, 1913, at
10:30 o'clock a.m. 39 Senators present.
Senator Simmons continued his statements regarding the tariff bill. On
motion it was agreed that the amendments made by the Committee be read
and afterwards the advisability of changes should be taken up.
Schedule A (Chemicals) was then taken up and the Caucus at 11:55 took a
recess until thirty minutes after the Senate adjourns this day.
Caucus re-convened at 2:30 p.m., June 21st.
Schedule A was finished and approved by the Caucus without change.
Schedule B (Earths, &c.) was taken up for consideration. When paragraphs
95-96, page 27, were reached, they were referred back to the Committee,
it being understood that Stained Glass, paragraph 97, be considered by
the Committee, also the provision ``or without,'' paragraph 97, in
connection with paragraph 86.
Subject to this reference and understanding, Schedule B was approved
without change.
Schedule C (Metals) was then taken up. Paragraph 121 was referred back
to the Committee with instructions to reduce duty on low priced
machines.
Paragraphs 127 [and] 128 were referred back to the Committee.
The Caucus then adjourned to 10 o'clock a.m., June 23rd.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[June 23, 1913]
JUNE 23, 1913
Democratic Caucus met Monday, June 23rd, 1913, 26 Members appeared at
10:30 a.m.
38 Members altogether attended the Caucus during its session.
Consideration of the metal schedule was continued.
Senator Thomas moved that Paragraphs 123-144 be referred back to the
Committee, which motion was adopted.
Senator Reed moved referring back to the committee of paragraph 133,
relating to files. Carried.
Senator Simmons moved to refer back to the committee paragraphs 141-144.
Carried.
Recess until 2 o'clock, p.m.
Afternoon session. Monday, June 23rd, 1913.
Senator Overman moved that Paragraph 145 be referred back to the
Committee, which motion was laid on the table.
Senator O'Gorman moved to put articles in Paragraph 145 on the Free
List.
Substitute moved by Senator Williams to approve the action of the
Finance Committee as to Paragraph 145 was adopted.
Paragraphs 149-116 referred on motion of Senator Clarke back to the
Finance Committee.
Senator Swanson moved to retain House rate of \1/2\ cents instead of \3/
4\ cents in paragraph 154. Motion lost by vote of Ayes 8, Noes 27.
Schedule C, with the exception of the paragraphs above mentioned, was
then approved.
Schedule D (Wood &c.) then taken up.
Senator Martine moved to put articles in paragraph 172 on the free list.
Lost. Ayes, 14; Noes, 22.
The schedule was then adopted without change.
Schedule E (Sugar) was then taken up. Senator Shafroth moved to amend
paragraph 179 by striking out the words ``Free of duty'' at the end
thereof and inserting in lieu thereof, the words ``at a rate equal to
one-half the above duties,'' and addressed the Caucus in favor of his
motion.
Senator Walsh followed and before concluding his speech, by consent,
Senator Chamberlain reported from the Committee appointed to confer with
the House Committee and Democratic Congressional Committee and National
Democratic Committee that the Committee of Senators had met with the
members of the House and said Committees, and resolved as follows:
RESOLVED, That the Democrats of the Senate shall be
represented on the Democratic Congressional Committee by one
member of such Committee from each state having Democratic
representation in the Senate, and in which a Senatorial term
expires in 1915; that in the case where both Senators are
Democrats, the Senator whose term expires in 1915 shall be
the member of the Committee from his State, and that in the
case where the term of the Republican Senator expires in
1915, the Democratic Senator from such State shall be the
member of the PCommittee.
On his motion the action of the Democratic Senators' Committee was
approved.
The Caucus then adjourned until ten o'clock, a.m., Tuesday, June 24th,
1913.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[June 24, 1913]
JUNE 24, 1913
Senate [Democratic] Caucus reconvened Tuesday, June 24th, 1913, at 10:30
o'clock, a.m.
26 Members present.
Number afterwards increased to 40.
No roll call, as Caucus had directed consideration of the tariff bill to
proceed at time for assembling of the Caucus without regard to quorum
being present, therefore consideration of the tariff bill proceeded.
Schedule F was taken up and on motion of Senator Simmons was approved
without change.
Schedule G was then taken up, Senator Williams reading.
Chairman here interfered with the duties of the Secretary by telling his
laughing hyena story.
After discussion of paragraph 196, it was allowed to remain as written.
Paragraph 142 on motion of Senator Thomas was referred back to the
Committee.
At this point Senator Walsh resumed and concluded his argument on the
Sugar Schedule.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Caucus recessed until 2:30 p.m.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
Caucus reassembled at 2:40 o'clock, p.m., June 24, 1913.
Senator Myers addressed the Caucus.
Senator Thornton of Louisiana moved as a substitute of Senator
Shafroth's that all in lines 15 to 17, beginning with the word
``Provided'' and ending with the words ``Free of Duty'' be stricken out
on page 52.
Senator Thornton addressed the Caucus.
Senator Ransdell addressed the Caucus.
Unanimous consent was then given to take a vote on free sugar and free
wool not later than four o'clock p.m. on Wednesday, June 25th.
At the conclusion of Senator Ransdell's remarks, the Caucus adjourned to
ten o'clock, a.m., June 25th, 1913.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
____________________________________________________
[June 25, 1913]
JUNE 25, 1913
Caucus met June 25th, 1913, at 10:30 a.m., pursuant to adjournment.
The following gentlemen addressed the Caucus:
Senators Ransdell, Thomas, Williams, James, Newlands,
Shafroth, Pomerene, Thornton, Walsh, Simmons, Johnson,
Clarke, Lane, Martine, Smith (S.C.) and Thompson.
The vote agreed to be taken by unanimous consent on free wool and free
sugar was taken at the close of the discussion at 4:06 p.m., as follows:
Senator Thornton's amendment was lost: Ayes 2; Noes
43.13 [See tally sheet A]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ The numbers given for each vote, and the tally sheets with their
totals, are reproduced here as they appear in the minutes. No attempt
has been made to reconcile the discrepancies that exist in some cases
between the vote as reported in the minutes, the number of marks on the
tally sheet, and the total written at the bottom of a sheet. The minutes
books also do not necessarily contain a tally sheet for every roll-call
vote.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Shafroth's motion was lost: Ayes 10; Noes 35. [See
tally sheet B]
Senator Thompson moved to amend as follows:
Amend the paragraph in question, by striking out the words
``free of duty'' in line 17 and by adding the following
words: ``at one-half of the above duty; and that such duty
as so reduced shall thereafter be reduced twenty-five per
cent each year until said articles shall be admitted free of
duty''
Making the section read as follows:
Provided, That on and after the first day of May,
nineteen hundred and sixteen, the articles hereinbefore
enumerated in this paragraph shall be admitted at one-
half of the above duty; and that such duty as so reduced
shall thereafter be reduced 25% each year until said
articles shall be admitted free of duty.
Which amendment was lost: Ayes 8; Noes 38. [See tally sheet C]
Senator Ransdell moved that the existing schedule remain in effect until
February first, so that the present crop of cane may be harvested and
then the law apply as provided in the bill. This motion after discussion
showing the Committee had the matter under discussion as to when the Act
should take effect, was withdrawn.
Senator Simmons then moved to approve the action of the Committee
respecting Schedule E, which motion prevailed: Ayes 38; Noes 6. [See
tally sheet E]
Senator Walsh then offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That Schedule K be reported back to the Committee
on Finance, with instructions to remodel the same so as that
Classes 1 and 2 of wool, as defined in the existing tariff
act, shall bear a duty of 15% and Class 3 as so defined
shall be admitted free.
Which motion was lost: Ayes 7; Noes 36. [See tally sheet F]
Senator Simmons moved that the Caucus approve paragraphs 652-653.
Declared Carried.
The vote for Free Wool stood: Ayes 40; Noes 6. [See tally sheet D]
Senator Smith (Ariz.) moved to amend so that Angora Wool be left at the
House rate, which motion was lost.
Senator Simmons moved that the balance of the paragraph be adopted,
which motion prevailed by a vive voce vote.
Senator Johnston of Alabama moved to adjourn; which motion was lost.
The Caucus resumed consideration.
Schedule G, at paragraph 197--discussion proceeded in connection with
paragraph 646.
Senator O'Gorman moved to strike out all the provisions in paragraph
646.
During the discussion on this motion, and without voting, the caucus on
motion adjourned until ten o'clock a.m., Thursday, June 26, 1913.
The roll calls on the various amendments affecting sugar and wool will
be found to follow these minutes.
[signed] Willard Saulsbury
Secretary
1. For Thornton Amendment
[Free Sugar]
[Tally sheet A]
YEAS NAYS
Ashurst
Bacon
Bankhead
Bryan
Chamberla
Chilton
Clarke
Culberson
Fletcher
Gore
Hitchcock
Hollis
Hughes
James
Johnson
Johnston
Kern
Lane
Lea
Lewis
Martin
Martine
Myers
Newlands
O'Gorman
Overman
Owen
Pittman
Pomerene
Ransdell
Reed
Robinson
Saulsbury
Shafroth
Sheppard
Shields
Shively
Simmons
Smith of
Smith of
Smith of Md.
Smith of
Stone
Swanson
Thomas
Thornton
Tillman
Vardaman
Walsh
Williams
2 45
2. For Shafroth Amendment
[Sugar paragraph]
[Tally sheet B]
YEAS NAYS
Ashurst
Bacon
Bankhead
Bryan
Chamberlain
Chilton
Clarke
Culberson
Fletcher
Gore
Hitchcock
Hollis
Hughes
James
Johnson
Johnston
Kern
Lane
Lea
Lewis
Martin
Martine
Myers
Newlands
O'Gorman
Overman
Owen
Pittman
Pomerene
Ransdell
Reed
Robinson
Saulsbury
Shafroth
Sheppard
Shields
Shively
Simmons
Smith of
Smith of
Smith of Md.
Smith of
Stone
Swanson
Thomas
Thompson
Thornton
Tillman
Vardaman
Walsh
Williams
10 36
3. For Thompson Amendment
[Sugar paragraph]
[Tally sheet C]
YEAS NAYS
Ashurst
Bacon
Bankhead
Bryan
Chamberlain
Chilton
Clarke
Culberson
Fletcher
Gore
Hitchcock
Hollis
Hughes
James
Johnson
Johnston
Kern
Lane
Lea
Lewis
Martin
Martine
Myers
Newlands
O'Gorman
Overman
Owen
Pittman
Pomerene
Ransdell
Reed
Robinson
Saulsbury
Shafroth
Sheppard
Shields
Shively
Simmons
Smith of
Smith of
Smith of Md.
Smith of
Stone
Swanson
Thomas
Thompson
Thornton
Tillman
Vardaman
Walsh
Williams
8 29
4. Free Wool
[For 652-32.155]
[Tally sheet D]
YEAS NAYS
Ashurst
Bacon
Bankhead
Bryan
Chamberla
Chilton
Clarke
Culberson
Fletcher
Gore
Hitchcock
Hollis
Hughes
James
Johnson
Johnston
Kern
Lane
Lea
Lewis
Martin
Martine
Myers
Newlands
O'Gorman
Overman
Owen
Pittman
Pomerene
Ransdell
Reed
Robinson
Saulsbury
Shafroth
Sheppard
Shields
Shively
Simmons
Simmons
Smith of Ariz.
Smith of Ga.
Smith of Md.
Smith of S.C.
Stone
Swanson
Thomas
Thompson
Thornton
Tillman
Vardaman
Walsh
Williams
40 6
5. Adoption of Schedule K as reported by
Committee
[Tally sheet E]
YEAS NAYS
Ashurst
Bacon
Bankhead
Bryan
Chamberlain
Chilton
Clarke
Culberson
Fletcher
Gore
Hitchcock
Hollis
Hughes
James
Johnson
Johnston
Kern
Lane
Lea
Lewis
Martin
Martine
Myers
Newlands
O'Gorman
Overman
Owen
Pittman
Pomerene
Ransdell
Reed
Robinson
Saulsbury
Shafroth
Sheppard
Shields
Shively
Simmons
Smith of Ariz.
Smith of Ga.
Smith of Md.
Smith of S.C.
Stone
Swanson
Thomas
Thompson
Thornton
Tillman
Vardaman
Walsh
Williams
38 6
6. For Walsh as to classes 1 & 2 & 3 of
wools
[Tally sheet F]
YEAS NAYS
Ashurst
Bacon
Bankhead
Bryan
Chamberlain
Chilton
Clarke
Culberson
Fletcher
Gore
Hitchcock
Hollis
Hughes
James
Johnson
Johnston
Kern
Lane
Lea
Lewis
Martin
Martine
Myers
Newlands
O'Gorman
Overman
Owen
Pittman