Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-22
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
QUESTION or COMMITTEES.

WIS. NC.
IRON Our Regular Correspondentl
WASHINGTON, ID. O., December Of
Now, that several committees have
been given the function Of appropriatinr
money, in addition to that Of framing
legislative measures, it becomes neces.
sary for the Speaker to reorranize them
entirely, and to assign to membership
OF 'hose committees men who have had
experience in preparing appropriation
bulls or who have an aptitude for that
kind Of work.
For the ohairmanships Of Foreign Az.
isirs, Post-Otiiees, and Military Affairs a
lively contest is waged by rival ss.
pirants' or rather by their friends.
Iownshend and Springer, Of Illinois. and
"elleorn, of Texas, are most earnest
IN the pursuit Of the postal Chairman
ship. MIR. Holman's name has also
oeen suggested TO the Speaker. Towns
bend had charge of the post-office ap-
preparations during the last Congress.
lie evinced industry and intelligence
IN the preparation OF the bill
last session, but managed it so
badly on the floor that the
Republicans, led by Horr Of Michigan.
ran away with him and added a million
rmors TO 1t. lie was saved, however.
next day by the return of Randall, from
New York. But Mr.. Townshend has
always trained with Morrison, and adj.
yocsted the nomination of Carlisle for
Speaker when Blackburn was nomi-
mated. Springer has capacity for almost
any committee assignment, but
rs one of those inopportune
men who are always exhibiting
want Of good Judgment by making
themselves conspicuous in connection
with trivial matters. Wellborn. of
Texas. is in high favor with the men
who will frame the committees. and ia
sure to get a good place. lie was
chairman Of Indian Affairs in the Forty
eighth Congress, and can retain that
place. Holman, of Indiana, has made
the Indian problem a special study, and
during the past summer made a tour of
the Indian agencies at the head of a
Special committee Of Congress. He has
had many years experience in the
management Of appropriation bills, and
is considered by far the best in Congress
for chairman of Indian Affairs. As
WellbOrn is very anxious to have the
PoSt-Ofiice Committee, he has the best
chance to get it.
Perry Belmont, son Of August Bel
mont, and Ex-Governor Curtin, of
Pennsylvania, are rivals for the chair
msnship Of Foreign Affairs. Belmont
has never assumed especial prominence,
but outside influences are operating in
his favor. The wealth and political
services Of his father may have some
weight in the scale. but the most
active influence is extended by the
friends Of General Fitz John Por-
ter, who want Curtin, a warm
friend of Porter, to be transferred
to the Craftsmanship of Military Affairs,
where the fate Of the bill to restore
Porter to the army will be tried again.
General Bragg, Of Wisconsin. also a
friend Of Porter, wants to be chairman
Of Military Affairs. lie had brilliant
war record, and is the best representa-
tive OF the nion-Soldier element now
in Congress. Bragg's chances are very
good.
Morrison will remain at the head of
Ways and Means. Blount, of Georgia
Herbert, Of Alabama, and Mills, of
Texas, will probably remain on that
committee, and Mr.. Breckenridge, of
Arkansas, be added. The three re-
naming Democratic vacancies are likely
TO be filled by one eastern and tive
western men, and the entire committee
will, it is said, be made up with view
to the production Of a tariff bill some
what radical in its character.
The Speaker will be influenced. to
some extent, by Mr.. Morrison in making
assignments to important committees,
but be is not the kind Of man to yield !
to the advice of those who desire to |
humilate Mr.. Randall. 1t is much /
more probable that he will have the |
good sense TO put Randall where he
desires TO goat the head Of Appropri-
ations-and give his own administration
and that of the Government the full |
benefit of Randall's preeminent abilities
as leader in Congress. In any event,
Mr.. Randall will be leader and will
exercise great influence upon the work
of this Congress.
think the putative father Of the sill
yer dollar may retain the craftsmanship
Of the Committee on Coinage, but that
the committee will be so constituted as
to insure that a bill for the suspension
Of silver coinage shall be reported.
This much may be done out of defer
ence to the Administration, but it is
not doubted that the House will refuse
to pass such bill.
The prevalent opinion is that several
Of the' old chairmen will hold their
places-prObably Tucker at the head
Of Judiciary; Reagan, Of Commerce
Willis, of Rivers and HarborS; Cobb,
Of Public Lands; Aiken, Of Educa-
lion; Barbour, of District Of Column
Dia; and Hatch, Of Agriculture. Mr..
Hewitt, Of New York, is regarded as
,eItain TO be chairman of Naval AZ
airs. If Mr.. Wise has craftsmanship
I is likely to be that Of Manufactures.
Mr.. Carlisle will complete his COM
nittee list during the Christmas recess,
md Morrison, with one or two other
PERSONS, will remain here to give such
assistance as they may.
In the Senate to-day Senator Plumb
ook occasion TO criticise the conduct of
ir. Kelley and to express the opinion
hat he was an unfit person TO appoint
o a diplomatic mission. Ii was the
anne sort of stale stuff, based upon
and prejudice, that has
ormed the basis OF assaults upon Mr.. (
ieiley since his appointment to Italy.
Mr.. Kelley had a great audience last
light to hear his speech on " Ireland. a
alton, and did himself great credit.
Collins, of Massachu- l
etts, who presided, is enthusiastic in 1
is account Of Keiley's eloquence.
A great mass of bills and resolutions I