Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-23
THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS And
MANS.

The only possible reason for the appoint
ment of Mr.. Morrison as Chairman OF the
Committee OF Ways and Means is that he
received 1t as a reward for his services in
electing Mr.. Kerr Speaker. 1t is great
surprise. If Mr.. Morrison were one OF
the new members his appointment would
be less strange than it is, for then it might
be supposed that he had ability and fit
ness. But from what is known Of him as
an old member, with ample opportunity
to develope his capacity if he had any.
there is nothing whatever to indicate that
he is at all fitted for the place. The real
truth is that he receives the position as a
reward for partisan service in kerr's be-
half.
Mr.. Morrison entered the House in 1868,
as member of the Thirty-eighth Con-
1ress at the same time with Mr.. Blaine
Both were placed on the same committee,
Mr.. Morrison standing sixth and Mr..
Blaine seventh upon the Committee on
Militia. The New York Herald says:
"Mr. Blaine rose rapidly into high con-
sideration in that Congress. participating
largely in the debates and exercising de-
cided influence. But Mr. Morrison was a
cipher. During the first session he offered
one or two unimportant resolutions, but
took part in no debate. In the next ses-
sion, while Mr.. Blaine continued to rise
displays of ability. Mr.. Morrison never
rose from his seat to address the Chair
but once, and then on point which was
frivolous and ridiculous. On an occasion
when MANY ms g were called ia &C.
count and fined for absence Mr.. Morrison
rose to question Of privilege, saying that
he had offered the amount of his fine to
the Sergeant-at-arms in bank notes, and
that he had refused to accept it because
bank notes were not legal tender. This
piece of small buifoonery is Mr.. Morri.
sons only record during the whole ses-
sion OF 1S64-5! He was then left out of
Congress by his constituents until the ses-
sion of 1884, when Speaker Blaine
showed his appreciation of Mr.. Morrison's
talents by assigning him the tenth place
upon the Committee on War Claims. Mr.
Blaine is reputed to be good judge of
character and capacity, and as he had
served on the same committee with Mr..
Morrison in the Thirty-eighth Congress
he had excellent opportunities to guage
his abilities. Mr.. Morrison's figure on
the floor in the last Congress was on par
with his Insignificant place on one of the
minor committees. 1t is, therefore, a
matter of wonder that he has SO unexpec-
teddy risen to the leadership of the House,
or rather to position to which that hon.
or has been heretofore attached
1t is worthy of mention, too, in this con-
nection, that when Mr.. Blaine was first
elected Speaker of the House, he did not
give the Craftsmanship of the Ways and
Means. that most important place upon
the committees, to any person as reward
for service in aiding to elect him to the
speakership, lbut to his competitor for
the place, Mr.. Dawes, whom he knew to
be competent, honest and faithful. What
have the Reformers 10 say to the bargain
ing and corruption which appear in Nor
rison's appointment? Is this the feast to
wlsica skey were invited when asked by
democrats TO aid in promoting Reform?
1t is not very probable story wLich the
New York Herald relates about secret
anti-Catholic society, the objec, of which
is to re-elect President Grant, and of which
Mr.. Blaine is member. Mr.. Blaine fills in
the public eye the place of principal and
not that of subordinate in regard to the
Presidential nomination, about this time,
and so the report of the Herald is some
what out of joint. Ii there be such Sc
cret society as the Herald speaks of it can
afford to pay that paper well for advertis.
ing.
The democratic papers in the western
part OF the State are bringing out the
name OF Mr.. Haines OF Biddclord as the
democratic candidate for Governor. This
early movement looks as If General Rob-
ert, had about fizzled out in the last cam.
paign, compelling the selection of a new
candidate This year