The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-16
The Congressional Committees.


nounced yesterday by Speaker Blaine. As the
work Of session often depends, in large de.
gree, upon the construction OF these i'm portant
working bodies, it is interesting TO note all the
signs that foreshadow future action.
Neither of the Philadelphia members was
honored with chairmanship, notwithstand-
ing their contin nous service; but Judge Kel-
ley was made member of the Committee ON
Ways and Means and the Committee on Coin
age, and Mr.. 0'Neill member of the Com
mittee on Commerce. The country members
of the State Jared better, as Mr.. Merrell (who
is one of the proprietors of the Johnstown Iron
Works. is chairman of the Committee on
Manufactures; Mr.. SooHeld, of the Erie dis
trict, Is chairman of the Committee on Naval
Affairs; and Mr.. Cake, of Sohuylkill county, is
chairman of the Committee on Accounts.
Mr.. Schenok, Of Ohio, retains his old posi-
ton as chairman of the Committee on Ways
indication of his future course.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,, who was the
most prominent competitor for the Speaker
ship, is made Chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, is made chairman Of
the Committee on Banking and Currency.
Mr.. Butler is made chairman of the Com
mittee on Reconstruction, and a significant
indication is thus given that all the remain
ing legislation required to perfect the great
task of the last four years is to be radical and
drastic. There is no love lost between Butler
and the Rebels, and he will have little incli-
nation to exercise undue lenity to the men
who have delighted in accusing him Of all the
crimes in the calendar, and in habitually
styling him "beast." The most important
questions likely to arise are those which re-
late to the manner in which the Southern
States have complied with the legislation
already on the statute books, and to the pro-
lection OF loyal citizens against persecution for
their political opinions. Besides, Virginia,
Mississippi, and Texas have not yet been fally
reconstructed, and it is an open question
whether Georgia is entitled to representation,
in view Of the action of her State legislature
The excitement which prevailed at the time
the electoral votes were counted arose from
the earnest opposition Of Butler to even in
direct recognition of Georgia's right to rank as
a State, and his new position will afford
ample opportunities for the expression Of the
views which Ben Wade's sturdy hammer pre-
vented him from ventilating. Associated with
Butler, however, are not only some mode
rate Republicans, but Beck of Kentucky,
Woodward Of Pennsylvania, and Wood of New
York, from the Democratic side of the House,
so that the minority is very strongly repre-
septed, and fair opportunities will be given
for a display of all the facts and theories in
volved in the reconstruction controversy.
Mr.. Jenckes, who has labored so long and
30 industriously to reorganize the civil ser
vice, has lost his old place as chairman of the
committee on this subject, but he still re-
mains one of its members. By this action the
prospects of the passage Of his favorits mea-
sure are materially diminished, yet at the
same time the knowledge he has acquired
may be made useful in devisng changes more
moderate than those which he has hitherto
advocated.
Mr.. Julian ia made chairman of the Com
mittee on Public Lands. He has been noted
duriDg past sessions for his indignant denun-
Citations Of various schemes for the transfer Of
the title of important portions of the public
domain to grasping speculators.
The chairman of the Committee on Indian
Affairs, Sidney Clarke, Of Kansas, has also
resOlutely opposed some of the so-called Indiar
treaties, by which ignorant savages were
tempted to convey immense and valuable
reservations to Kansas railway companies fol
trifing consideration. We hope he may
J prove equally hostile to every other form o
, swindling the natives and the American people
General Logan is made chairman of tn,
Committee on Military Affairs, and his ser
J vices during the war, united with his politica
experience, should qualify him very well TO
this position.
General Banks remains chairman of tn
Committee on Foreign Affairs. In all tn
exigencies which have hitherto arisen durin
: his occupancy Of this position, he has show
> great ability in defending the resolutions an
3 measures he has introduced, whether h
, wanted to. secure good representation q
7 American industry at the French Expositio
, or an appropriation for the purchase of Alasks
? On the Cuba question, now looming up int
Importance, he has already proposed that th
. President be authorized to recognize th
( republican revolutionists whenever, in hi
l judgment, such action is appropriate; and
q the rebellion continues successful, 1t will pr,
! baby furnish material fer an elaborate repo
9 or one Of his characteristic speeches.