New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-14
WHY MIR. CURTIN DECLINES.
DANGEROUS PRECEDENT BY Mr.. BAYARD.
-.,x,xG FREELY OUTSIDE, AFTER GUARDED UTTER
AxCEs IN THE HOUSE

,v,vc prFrLY OUTSIDE, AFTER GUARDED UTTER
ANCEs IN THE HOUSE.
tpy rrLEGR ,Pu THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Mr. Curtin 10 -day
o,es his determination to decline the chairmanship
e,or and Currency. In doing he addressed the
Speaker as follows ., go .,o ,o,on ..
u We wa arst on the list Of the Committee on Banking
ana Gov declining that favor but the advice Of
friends and Of the sentiment OF the public Journals
man! nonntry have concluded to Offer no reasons OF
ot AZ TO declining the position IL was your
Ely lsa Un to give me- / do not need tho ADVICE
OF any was made mp from inc beginning. For
easons OF my which seem to he understooa py my
!Iiec Ss" me from the important duty chairman OF
tSe COMMITTEES to which you have assigned me.
~ Rlapd objected to excusng Mr. Curtin, but the oh
,.o,ion was overruled by the House by unanimous
o,e While Mr. Curtin recOnsidered his determination
. state the reasons which constrained him TO with
Draw from the committee he by no means reserved
nm that subject in private conversation. 10
TpRusE correspondent ne said " 1 was chairman OF
tho Committee Foreign Affairs in the last Congress
under the same Speaker that we now have. suppose
vervbody will concede that the work of the committee
On the last Congress was fairly well DONE 1t would
he aaectation for TO attempt to conceal the
loot that a departure from custom in my case has
accustomed observation and excited some feeling among
nv friends Whatever construction may be made OF
the execution in my case, have complaint to make
nf Speaker, nor nave any ieehhk Inv
action OF the speaker however involves principle OF
,reat Importance in the relation of the depart
msnts OF the Government to each other
desire TO protest against the interference of
head OF an Executive Department in the
organization OF the committees of Congress and regret
that such interference has been successful In case
why the Secretary OF State should have deemed neces
rv ar becoming to interpOse the weight OF his official
nos,,ion and influence In the selection OF a
chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee
do not know, but whatever his motives. 1 can
only regard such action as an unwarranted
infringement of the rights of Congress and as violation
OF the propreties OF public service The President was
recently reported in public journals as saying that
eoeh Department Of the Government responsible only
for its own action. This statement was worthy OF Its
distinguished author and he. in my opinion declared
the true theory OF our Government, and on
the lines OF that theory. 1 believe, he
intended that his Administration should stand
WHY the Secretary OF State should have thought il
becoming TO infringe just principle to interfere Win
the organization OF the Committee on Foreign hlmfs'
which supervlses only the appropriation for his De
parment all of his official work so Tar as IL Is "ln
legislative control, | do not pretend 10 sufhlse.
This discOurtesy member OF Congress may
magnify it In my own case but the precedens are oil
serious demOrazing influence on the puDc service ana
Ibelieye that am simply performing my duty Us an IN
dependent representative of the people when say that
in my Judgment IL was an etll example Hdusht Win
peril 10 the public interests 1900
Tne Chairnanshp now goes to Mr.. Miller, OF Texas
the Banner Democratic State" which Is now wen pro
yjded for in of desirable chalrmansnps having
Commerce. Indian Affairs. and racine harosus- All VI
important Committees