The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1875-12-26
From Washington.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE
VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE
WHO WERE HoNoRED AND WHO SLIaHTED.
THE GRUMBLERs.
Washington Correspondence N. Y Herald1
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The interpre-
tation put upon the composition of the
committees by the Democrats Is about
as follows. The Committee on WAYS
and Means means revenue reform the
Committee on Appropriations means
economy In all directions and, where it
will not embarrass the proper working
OF the Government, a heavy reduction
In the cost OF Government. Investiga-
ton will be made OF the expenditures
IN all branches OF the Government with
O view to determine where economy can
be best enforced. The Committee on
Military Affairs Means reduction Of
the army from $1,000 to 1900 men.
which, as the service costs nearly $50
OOO, 900 year, will bring about saving
to the Treasury OF $1,000, 900 to Is, ,OO0,-
900. The economy will not be In pro-
portion to the reduction OF men, as the
forts, barracks and standing outfit OF
the army will still be maintained.
Ex-Governor Swami, at the head OF
the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
means Peace with all the world and
ic estoppel on any flfibustering vageries
at the White House or elsewhere.
To the surprise Of many people Fer
nando Wood accepted his appointment
very gracefully, II not cheerfully. At
the fall Of the Speakers gavefannounc-
ing the adjournment OF the House, Mr..
Wood sought out Mr.. Morrison, Chair
man OF the Ways and Means Commit
tee, OF which Mr.. Wood Is second men,
ber. and proposed an iu.m ediate session
Of the committee, in order that the ma
chinery OF its business might be set in
operation at once. Gen. Ben Willis, Of
New York, from his knowledge Of
financial interests, was entitled to 81
place on the Banking and Currency
Committee, and would have been put
there had not Sunset Cox, ANEW York
er, been made It's chairman.
In rec1nRRense % iRe sch ne has been assigned
fairs, which, in view OF the large local
interests and patronage connected with
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, fully consoles
him. Mr.. Hardenburgh, representing
the important district OF New Jersey,
comprising the cities Of Jersey City and
Hoboken, has Jared better at the hands
OF a Democratic Speaker than his Re-
publican predecessor Scudder) did with
Mr.. Blaine. He was approached,
through q young man, on two import
and Centennial, which is regarded as a
thoughtful recognition Of the rank*of
his district and its importance.
There is, Of course, some grumbling.
One or two New England men complain
that their section has not received JUS
tice, but the principal sufferer seems TO
have been Gen. Barnum, who is so
steadfast an absentee that people to
whom he complained Of having been
overlooked laughed. 1t is said that Mr..
Cox Is not very well satisfied, and no
doubt he Is more interested in revenue
than banking questions, but he has an
able coadjutor in Mr.. Payne, OF Ohio,
who, it is said, would have been made
chairman of the committee had not Mr..
Cox 8 long services been regarded. Mr..
Ely, of New York, finds job of work
cut out for him in the Chairman OF Ex-
penditureS In the Treasury Department.
The Republican Senators had few
minutes OF painful suspense this after
noon. Mr.. Edmunds moved that until
the 7th Of January, and until fresh
appointment shall be made, Senator
ate. Mr.. Bayard, who Is one OF the
most alert Of the Senators, quietly
moved to amend Mr.. Edmunds' motion
by inserting the name OF Mr.. Thurman
for that Of Mr.. Ferry, and on this q
vote was Immediately taken.
The Speaker seems to have shown his
preference for the McEnery over the
Conservative Democrats in Louisiana
by giving the chairmanship Of Missis-
sippi levees to Mr. Ellis rather than to
Gen. Randall Gibson, who was expected
to have received it. Mr. Hewitt, Of New
York, appears to have Jared rather
poorly for a man Of his prominence at
home, but he is new member, and he
has position in committee where he
can prevent much waste and display
much taste.
As the call Of the yeas and nays went
on the Republicans became aware that
a good many Of their number were abb
sent, and that the Democrats were in
force. Absentees were sent for; but,
with all their efforts, Mr.. Ferry had but
three majority, and the Republicans
had some anxious moments until the
result was declared. The vote proba-
bly, settled the vexed question OF the
succession for it makes Mr.. Ferry Pres
ident of the Senate until his successor
is elected, and the Republican side are
not anxious to hold an election.