The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-22
THE COMMITTEES.
From Editorial in Yesterdays New YORK
Times.

The announcement of the House COM
mittees has not improved either the
unity or the confidence OF the majority,
1t is difficult to imagine on what princi-
pie the selection Of the Chairmen of the
leading committees was made. But it
will strike most people as obvious that
party must be very badly provided
many nobodies to the surface.
The "effacemenW of Fernando Wood
may be all very we'll in its way, but
is Mr.. Morrison, of Illinois, a sample of
the highest ability which the Democrats
can show in the House of Representa-
tives? He may be gentleman of the
highest order of parliamentary talent,
only ne has hitherto taken the utmost
pains to conceal it.
In the arrangement of the committees
there seems to be an intention to leave
Eastern Democrats totally neglected,
and to throw the control OF public Dusi-
ness into the hands of the West and
South. Considering their very credi-
table performances of last year, New
England Democrats are shabbily treated.
Even West Virginia gets the Chair
manship of the Committee on
Commerce, while the Democratic
statesmen from Connecticut, New
Hampshire and Massachusetts are left
TO console themselves with the reflection
that the post of honor Is the private sta
tion. New York gets.a sop thrown to it
in the shape Of the Craftsmanship of the
Committee on Banking and Currency,
though it may be doubted whether Mr..
Cox is the ideal Chairman for such
committee.
From Editorial in yesterdays N. Y. World
OF the selection of Gen. VIM. II. Morri-
on fnr ha Tha inv, NJ OF
and Means Committee, we expressed
our opinion yesterday morning. 1t is
an admirable selection, OF which the
political significance will be appreci-
ated by sound Democrats in all parts of
the country. That it is surprise to
some members who themselves were am
bilious for his place, is not at all sur
prising; but in face of the fact that we
have to take account of Republican
Senate and President, and in face of the
fact that few Western members can
best be preserved against the folly of
some of their own heretical opinions by
crat who is fresh from guiding
the Democrats of his own great
State to an unprecedented victory by an
unfaltering devotion to the best tradi-
tions and the sound principles of the old
and the new Democracy, we are we'll
persuaded that the bold and unexpected
judgment of the Speaker will be ap-
proved by intelligent Democrats through
out the Union and will be vindicated by
the conduct of the Forty-fourth Con-
gress, both in what it shall do and in
what it shall refrain from doing.
Gen. Morrison has had large expert
ence in public life. A soldier in two
wars; an influential member of State
Legislature and the Speaker of its As
sembly; and above all most sagacious
and trusted adviser of his party in it's
| conventions as we'll as in public bodies,
and a member also OF the last Congress,
| Mr.. Morrison lacks. nothing of parlia-
mentary knowledge or OF party weight
which is necessary to the discharge of
his most responsible function.
| AS for the Committee of Appropria-
tions 1t could not be in better hands.
Mr.. Randall Is the most competent man
| in the House for just that work which
| Mr.. Garfield had q way of breaking down,
in during the closing hours of session;
and what Mr. Randall lacks, if any
thing, will be well supplied by Mr.. Hol-
man Of Indiana.
From Editorial in Yesterdays N. Y. Tribune !
| There has never been an honester
| thing done in the Speakers Chair than
| MI, heIE Iolu5dt w dppoluJ NIL Il 6I-
nando Wood to the Chairmanship of
| Ways aud Means, and the consequent
leadership of the House. There has
rarely been more bravery shown than
id the disappointments meted out
with equal hand to Mr.. Wood,
and to two or three other con-
spicuous leaders, who have it in
their power to make Mr.. Kerr's position
most unenviable one, if not indeed to
break him down altogether. The ap-
pointment of Mr.. Morrison to the chair
manship Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee involved courage also of GER
tain sort, but the fitness OF it is yet to be
shown. Mr.. Morrison was next to the
last member of the Committee on War
Claims in the last Congress, and
there was no complaint from his
party that he did not receive suffi-
cient recognition. He was in i'll health,
however, and was absent from the
| House a good deal. He has been an
earnest advocate OF hard money, has
ALWAYS been counted thoroughly hon.
est man, and has always been esteemed
and liked by his associates. We have
| never heard a word to his discredit, and
in times past have heard many words
| in his praise. But still it may be fairly
said that unless Mr.. Morrison surprises
l buC COuuGly WIN CoPu1lbgS bnO COuu-
try will hardly forgive Mr.. Kerr the sur
prise OF bis appointment. We have to
thank the Speaker for his disposition OIL
Mr.. Wood.
| From Editorial in Yesterdays Chicago Trib-
une.I
| We are inclined, however, to think
that Mr. Kerr did as well as could be ex-
pected with the material lie had to work
up. In making Mr.. Morrison, of this
State, Chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means, Mr.. Mr. ITrrr Itserr not only re-
| warded the man who was most efficient
in securing his election as Speaker, but
he also selected one of the ablest and
most trustworthy members Of the Demo
cratic side. Fernando Wood has the
| second place on this Committee,
which is regarded rs equivalent
to Craftsmanship, but 1t is
said that he is affronted and will de-
cline all Committee work. The public
will not take it to heart if he does. The
Republicans on this important Commit
tee are Blaine, Garfield, Buchard, and
Kelley, all able men. Kelley was enti-
tled TO this.mucn distinction as "Father
of the House," Mr.. Garfield might bstIer
have been left OH the Appropriation
| Committee, OF which he was long time