Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-12-25
weliborn ON the Fifteen.
,peclal 10 tho Gnantin

/
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l--Mr. Wenbop
ana not belle his name when he undertook
IN the mousse the other day to convince
that BODY that the destlnies OF sixty
millions OF people were in the hands
OF the fifteen members OF the
appropriation committee. The speech
made great impression upon the doubt.
ing IhomaSes, and made many converts
among them. Mr., Wellborn's remarks
are so apropos that VIC quote the follow.
Ing extract:
whatever else may be left undone,
whatever else may be neglected IN the
way OF legislation, the suggestions of the
committee on appropriations must receive
consideration The money bills must
pass, no matter what else fails. In a
word, sir, these bills have the right of
way from necessity, they have the right of
way as against all other matters OF legis-
lation; and, sir, the passage Of these bills
invariably terminates long session of
congress. Now, sir, from this simple
statement II must be obvious TO the com
monest understanding that the supreme
power OF controlling the proceedings of
this house is lodged In the committee on
appropriations. The destnies, MIR.
Speaker, think of It, the dcstinles of
10000, 900 people who inhabit this coun.
try, so far as these destnlcs are effected
by legislation, are In the hands OF fifteen
members on this door, and are virtually
subject to theircontrol What IS the effect
on the other committees Of the houscg
They are practically reduced 10 subordl-
nate stations Measurably is this true,
sir of even the great committee on ways
and means Look nc the judiciary com
mittee. Once high in dignity and power
full in its functions, that committee to-
day Is but the splcndl<xs-slye in which IS
buried some of the noblest legal talent OF
America. And, sir,\the same thing Is
true Of other committees. What is the
effect ON the general membership Of the
housc2 Why, siT,P of the gJT~~Sruetcs
iOaal districts into whcll THIS c0Niitry Is
divided, but fifteen have an opportunity
TO be fully heard on tHls floor. Three
hundred and ten, In whole or In part, are
denied representation. / was startled
to-day, Mr.. Speaker, at statement
made by the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Hiscock), showing the
supreme power which the chair
man OF this one committee can
exercise In this house. II ! did not
lHlsluhc Hlu' nc lluuc lllS stulVulSHI ou"-
stantially, that two congresses ago there
were two bills, perhaps the internal rev
unue bill and the tariff commission bill,
which he thought the best interests Of
this government required should be
passed. lie made the startling statement
that in the exercise of the power which he
had as chairman of the committee on APP
propriations he was enabled to SO handle
two of the great appropriations bills as to
secure the passage of the TWO matters of
legislation in which he thought the inter
ests of the country were wrapped up. He
said he exercised this power, that he oN-
ercised il successfully and he still thinks
wisely. Now, what / think and say Is
this: However wisely or however well
that power may have been exercised In
the past, II is power which no man and
no set of men should exercise on this
floor" Applause.