Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-18

M,. Valentine, Of Nebraska, introduced
bill providing that the appointments OF Indian
agents shall be in force until their success
sors are appointed, referred.
The Speaker then proceeded to call the
committees for reports.
Mr.. Crapo. of Massachusetts,, from the
committee on banking and currency, reported
back resolution directing the secretary of
the treasury to inform the House what num-
Der of the national banks organized from July
I'd, 1881, to Jan. LIST, 1882, amount of capital,
and other information; also calling for simi-
lar information az to banks whose corporate
existence expires between Jan. LIST, 1882, and
Jan. lst, 1884, adopted.
Mr.. Harris, of Massachusetts,, Of the COM
mittee on naval affairs, reported resolution
directing the secretary of the navy to trans
mi, to the House. all the papers and cores
pondence relative to the Chinqui coaling sta
tions and the appropriation for the purchase
thereof. and requesting him to withhold all
payment for such stations until such in
formation has been laid before the House and
action had BY Congress.
Mr. Harris also reported resolution call
ing on the secretary Of the navy for the mi
nority report Of the commissioners organized
to consider the condition of the navy, also
for specific information as to the present con-
dition of the navy.
Mr.. Thomas moved to amend the resolu-
ton so as to strike out the request for the
minority report of the commission. After
some discussion the amendment was lost and
the original resolution was adopted.
The call of the committees having been
concluded, Mr.. Robson called up the report
of the committee on rules. incre asing the
,hays hin of no variouS cnmmiffepa He
stated that the thirteen committees whose
membership it was proposed to increase, had
before them now nearly ninety per cent Of
all the business Of the House. As Mr.. Robe
son concluded his brief remarks he demand
ed the previous question. Much confusion
ensued, and the motion was finally with
drawn,
Mr.. Hutchins opposed the report of the
committee on rules. Had any of the COM
mittees which were referred to asked for in
| creased membership! he had not heard Of it.
Did any one complain of the way in which
the committees had been organized? Every
one seemed satisfied with them. He hoped
measures could be devised that in the future
not one man, but the House itself might form
its committees. The speaker had too much
power, and he, not the House, controlled leg
islation. The committees should be appoint
ed by the House, and the speaker should be
| the presiding officer, but not dictator and ar
bitter of the legislature of the whole Ameri-
| can people.
| Mr.. kasson also opposed the report of the
committee on rules. He was opposed to in
creasing the membership of the committees.
His experience had taught him that more bu-
, siness was done BY small committees than
by large ones. He advocated the measure
by which the House should be charged with
the duty of appointing the committees. 1t
would be no disrespect to the speaker. He
had done the duty, always embarrassing, i'm
posed upon him by the rules, and such a
measure would relieve him from that en-
barrassment. That embarrassment and that
inducement to bribery by the offer of places
in the election of the speaker should be done
away with once and forever.
Mr.. Orth then offered as a substitute for
the committees report his amendment for the
election at the beginning of each Congress,
of commission charged with the duty of
assigning the membership of the various COM
nittees.
Mr.. Robson raised point of order against
Mr.. Orth's substitute, but withheld it for the
present.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, member of the COM
mittee on rules, said he would vigorously pro-
test against Orth's proposition, if he thought
there WIS any uaI1KeT VI It's De1nX auODteu Dy
this or any other House. Think of the COM
mittees of the House going to commission.
Think of the logrolling there would be to
have a commission elected in order to favor
particular measure.
He did not believe any material interest of
the country was liable to be DESTROYED or in
jured by any committee appointed by the
speaker. Every action of every committee
had to undergo the scrutiny of the House.
Personal grievances existed in every legisla-
tive body. If the speaker had performed his
duty faithfully and he believed he had, even
then he could not escape falling into some
errors, but the House was ready to stand by
what he (speaker) had done. He (Reed) did
not concur entirely with this committee in
regard to the increase of the committee men,
bership. Neither did he believe the. COM
mittees should be appointed with regard to
geographical divisions.
He believed the business of the individ-
uals, and not where they slept, ought to be
considered in determining on what COM
nittees they should serve
Mr.. Kelly regarded the report of the COM
mittee on rules, as grievous mistake.
He commended that more work was performed
by small committees than by large ones, and
asserted it would be better to abolish the
committee on ways and means entirely than
to increase its membership to 10. He there
fore moved to lay the report upon the table.
Lost.
Pending further action the House adj
journed.