New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-06
lBy TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUsR.l


PARTIES ON THE COMMITTEES.
lBy TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBusRl
WAsHISGTON, Dec 5.--Mr. Kerr is no donb; at
work already on his Committee list. He is entirely
untrammeled by pledges and As he is altogether too
high-mimded a man to be influenced III the perform
ance of this most important duty by personal feeling
in favor If those who supported him in his for
the Speakcrship, OF by prejudice against those who
sustained Mr. Randall, may expect that he VIII
be governed by only two considerations which ought
to have weght-the talents and experience Of mem
bers and the proper claims of locality. Chairman
ships were promised literally by some of his III
discreet supporters, but there is the best reason for
saving that such promises were wholly without his
authority or knowledge. The men who male them
will scarcely venture to intimate to tie Speaker
that he ought to reward with prominent places
on the Committees either his original partistGs OF
those who were won over to his support by hopes of
prefer1nent. Mr.. Kerr il not the sort of man to
listen to such suggestions with patience or even
with courtesy. He will make up his list, guided by
his own Judgment, and by precedents that have
come to have the force of parliamentary law. Ills
task will not he Gs hard was Mr.. blaines
after each of his three elections. The Democrats
whom service in the House and eminent talents en-
title to consideration, not numerous enough to
stand in each others way. The list of such MEM
for the important charmanships. Current specula-
ton as to who are to fill these positions has, there
fore. much better chance than usual of hitting the
mark Ask any two men, familiar with the customs
governing tho formation of committees, who are
likely TO have ten or twelve first-rate chamanshps
and YOU will find their guesses remarkably similar.
The Ways and Means Committee Will, 1t Is be-
leved. be given 10 Fernando Wood, on account OF
his long service, his prominence and the TACT that
his views on the tariff agree with those of the heavy
majority of Democratic members. The Chair
manshIp of the Committee on Appropriations is the
most important this session, because the retrcnch-
ment of Government expenses Is controlling
feature on the Democratic programme. Samuel j.
Randall will lay common consent, be the Chairman
of this Committee. lie has annually expressed the
belief that the total expenses can los reduced
500, 600 0OO and will have chance to show how it
can be done Mr. Randall and Mr.. Wood will divide
the honor of leadership, just as Mr.. Dawes and Mr.
Garfield did during the last two Congresses. s. ;.
Cox would by previous service he entitled to the
Banking and Currency Committee but it would not
do to give three financial chairnansbips TO the East
1t is believed that he may gett that of Foreign Affairs
for which he is well fitted by his ex-
tensve travels and knowledge of the world.
Though the name Of Gen. Banks, who has
already served as Chairman of this Committee has
caucus Yesterday. The place for Mr. Holman is the
head of the Claims or War Claims Committee where
his vigilance in watching for jobs will save millions
60 the Treasury,
L. O. &. Lamar, the acknowledged leader Of the
Southern members will have a prominent chairman
ship probably either that OF Elections, on which he
has already served, or Of Banking and Currency.
Mr. Hancock is talked of in connection with the
Pacific Railroad Committee. Although Texas
member he is understood not TO be in favor of Col.
Scott's subsidy scheme, at least in is present form.
Milton Sayler Of Ohio is by general report assigned
to the Judiciary Committee. An excellent chair
man for the District of Columbia Committee, and
one not at all desired by Mr.. Shepherd and the
Babcock Ring, would be Smith Ely, jr., of New
York, an old member, returned after two years
absence. For the Naval Committee, Mr.. Whitthone
of Tennessee is the most spoken Of.
The Indian Committee will be of unusual import
ance this session. because Of the investigation it
will be called upon to make of the frauds in the
Indian service. Mr.. Wells of Missouri, Mr.. Harris
of Virginia, and Mr. Durham of Kentucky are men-
toned as tit men for the chairmsnship. Mr. Swami
OF Maryland will probably hold the Banking and
Currency Committee or that on Foreign Affairs, II
the latter does not fall to MIR. Cox. For the Public
Lands Committee Mr. Hereford Of West Virginia,
Mr.. Proctor Knott Of Kentucky, and Mr.. Bright OF
Tennessee are mentioned. Mr.. Alexander ii,
Stephens will, of course, have prominent place
He is talked of for Chairmsa or the Committee on
Revision .. Laws, and for position on the
,Ysvs and Means Committee. Hester Clymer OF
pennsvlyania, as tho most prominent Democrat
from that State next to Mr.. Randall ought to be at
the head Of the Committee On the Centennial 40