New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-18

but be is a gentleman Of high character, Of mill
tary experience and reputation, and thus probably
better fitted for this post than any other Member.
And this was doubtless the ground Of his selection
The Union, in the face Of these facts, claIoors
that the South il badly treated in casting the Com
mittees. 1t might be deemed o sufficient answer
to say that the South, from first to last, gave no
single vote 10 Mr.. Banks, and finally combined her
hostile parties 10 defeat him. But il is quite no
torious here that st least one Southern Democrat
courteously declined the chairmanship of an I'M
portant committee, assigning indispOEtion TO IN
dertake the labor and responsibility. believe,
though / do not know, that many Southern Men,
bers preferred not to be placed at the head OF
committees by Mr.. Banks, fearing that such dis
tnction might seem to imply more cordial rela-
tions between him and them than would be relished
BY their constituents.
have only heard Of one Southern Member
deeming himself personally aggrieyed by bis posi-
ton Oh Committees-Mr. Geo. S. Houston of Ala
barna, who having been last year chairman Of the
Ways and Means, thought he should have been
retained on that Committee. But, unless ] am
mistaken, FIVE Members Of last years Committee
have seats in the present House, all among the
most active and efficient opponents of Mr.. Banks;
and for the Speaker to retain them all would have
been to put the leading Committee of the House
into the hands of his adtersaries. do not think
any fair man will say that this was incumbent on
him. Mr.. Houston was therefore placed on the
Committee on Territories, which, for the present
Session, is certainly one Of the most important, if
not the very first
As general rule, Mr.. Banks appears to have
placed the ablest Nebraska men on the most impor
tant Committees, as was fit; but think there are
two Of them who might fairly consider themselves
ranked lower than their abilities and influence
would have justified l refer to Messrs. Clancy
Jones and Packer Of Pa, in whose behalf | have
heard no whisper Of complaint. think similar
mistakes with regard TO our side of the House
were more marked and frequent-Messrs. Stanton
of Ohio and Woodwork Of H.. for example,
being entitled to higher positions than were ac-
corded them. / hear that the Speaker has pub
licly admitted his mistake with respect to Mr..
Woodwork, declaring it sheer oversight which
he hoped yet for opportunity TO correct. But Of
course no one imagines that a new Speaker can
distribute two hundred and thirty Members, more
than half now first in public life into Committees,
and place every one just where he should be. 1t
is not our marvel that mistakes should be com
mitted; it would be wonderful indeed if there were
none.
AS to Mr.. GIDDINGs, whose position in the
House and on the cOpmittees was fairly set forth in
THE TRIBUNE of yesterday, it is simple justice to
add that no man, throughout the long and arduOus
struggle for the organization Of the House. has less
deserved the reputation Of ulraism, fanaticsm and
inlpracticabty than he. Always firm in the main
tenance of the right, he has been tenacious
to persons or means nor even insisted on doing the
right thing at the wrong time. He is not more de-
cidedly fearless champion than prudent coun-
selor. Not because Of anything in himself but SOLE
ly because of the bugbear he has been represented
it was wise to place him second instead Of first on
the Territorial Committee. have heard no init
nation that be would have it otherwise than it is.
q