New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-15
TUE HOUSE COMMITTEES.

THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
That Messrs Stevens, Dawes, and Washburnc
of Ill. should be retained in the ChairmanshipS
of the important Committees presided over by
them respectively in the last Congress, was
matter of course; and the advancement OF MIR.
Rice of Mass. from the second TO the first place
on the Naval Committee (vice Sedgwick OF
y. Y. not returnei) was dictated not more by
inherent fitness than by rule. Mr.. Alley OF Mass
succeeds TO the Craftsmanship of the PoSt-Oiiice
Committee By tho same rule. OF the Chairman
shin of the Military Committee, there are under
stood to have been several expcctants; and the
choice naturally fell on'Mr Schenck, as dis
tinguished member of several former Congresses
as we'll as a Major-General of Volunteers, who
has Just resigned the charge of an important
Department to take his seat in the House. Mr..
II. Winter Davis as an eminent member OF sew
eral preceding Houses, and Of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, is happily placed at the head of
that Committee in this House. We are glad to
see 50 early and earnest champion OF Free
Homestead, As M. Julian OF Ind at the head of
the Committee on Public Lands. His position
is a guaranty that the principle of Free Homes
for the landless from the Public Domain will
neither be abandoned nor undermined during
the next two years
OF the nine Members composing the Ju-
dietary Committee of the last House, none
were reelected Mr.. Pcndlcton Of Ohio (Dem.)
has been transferred 10 the Ways and Means.
The selection Of NJ. Wilson Of Iowa for Chair
man of this impor,an. Committee was, we think.
not generally anticipated; but We presume 1t
iudicious Thu, Committee is very strongly
constituted, as il should be; for some OF the
erayest questions ever demanding the action Of
legislative body are likely TO challenge It's a'-
tention. II is quite possible that this Commit
tee and that on Elections may be called TO bear
weightier responsibilities during this session
than even the usually all-absorbing Ways and
Means.
OF the Democratic members from our state,
Mr.. Stebbins Is on the Ways and Means, Mr..
Odell (of Brooklyn is on the War, and Mr..
Grswold (of Troy on The Navy. We presume
they were placed in these most responsible po-
sitions because they were believed to be not
merely capable and worthy, but thoroughly
loyal and in favor Of putting down the Rebel
lion At all events, such are the reasons which
dictate our hearty approval of the choice.
Messrs. Ganson (of Buffalo, Herman Utica,
and Ward CITY. are on the Committees on
Elections, Judiciary and Commerce respect
lively Mr.. Brooks is on the Post-Oticc, Mr..
Fernando Wood on Public Lands, and Mr..
Steele on the District Of Columbia.
The selection Of Mr.. Hulburd Of ST. Lawrence
"a new member, but very strong one-ior
Chairman Of the Committee on Public Expendl-
lures. with such associates as Broomall Of Pa,
Rollins Of n. H., and Julian Of Indiana, justi-
fes the hope that this Committee is TO take that
rank in the present Congress TO which it is in
trinsioally entitled. We shall confidently ex-
pect from it apretty thorough scrutiny ofourout
goes, with al earnest desire to find places where
the pruning knife can be properly aud resolutely
applied.
Sir. Jenckes Of X. l.. though a new member,
is likewise placed at the head Of an important
Committce-thato on Patents. There is no MEN,
Der, new or old, in the House, who conld bring
to that post a ripper and fuller knowledge Of the
whole subject Of Patents, whether in its legal or
It's practical aspects.
The formation Of a Committee on Mileage
with Democratic Chairman, backed by q
Democratic majority, We interpret as implying
that no effort, even, is to be made in this
Congress to correct the fragrant abuses of
the present Mileage system. 1t is well to be
thus shielded from delusive expectations.
On the whole, we think the cast Of the House
Committees, though not absolutely perfect, a
judicious and strong one, and trust it will be
found conducive to an energetic and prompt
dispatch Of business.