New-York tribune., 1886-01-08
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.


has been promising. The first indication OF It's
probable performance. as party IN power
comes in the appointment OF committees III the
House.. The party promised that Its Legislation
should not hurt but should help American
labor. The performance is foreshadoweu Dy
the appointment of Committee on ways anu
Means in which MIR. Morrison leads seven un-
compromising Free Traders, and Mr.. Hewitt Is
also member, against five strong Republican
Protectionists. 1t was promised that the party
would be found safe and surely sound on the
question of currency, and the result is Coin
age Committee with Mr. Bland as chairman.
Except as a thorough going Free Trader, MIR.
Morrison would not be chosen to lead the
House by any interest Physically disqnallhed
by a rebel bullet, he has not taken the trouble
to become mentally qualified for leadership.
He is not student, and never has been iona
of facts. and probably knows as little about the
tariffas any man who has ever tired to frame
tariff bill. But he is sincere and earnest ana
that counts for much in congregation OF III
sincerities and shams. "AmOng the blind, the
one-eyed is King" and Mr.. Morrison will push
a revision of the tariff if he finds it possible.
The Presidents recommendation as to silver
coinage has been treated with scant courtesy
Apparently he has no policy which the Demo-
Gratis of the House feel disposed to respect.
When Mr.. Carlisle chose Mr.. Bland rs chair
man of the Committee on Coinage two years
ago, he took pains to make excuses through
friendly newspapers. 1t was then said that he
had pledges that Mr.. Bland would take con-
servatiye course. What his course has
been the country knows, but Mr.. Carlisle
l.. hoo. Il ,f has
mttee. 1t does not seem at all probable
that he has contrived the committee to
Outvote its chairman. MeSsrs. Bland, Nor
wood, Bynum FELTON, and Fuller are classed
as uncompromsing silver men, and two or
three members are in doubt as might have
been expected Mr.. McCreery, who is called
doubtful, is Democrat and from Kentucky.
The Speaker will probably control his vote AM,
when Mr.. Warner, of Ohio calls the committee
neutral" he does not manifest much grief If
the Speaker had pleased TO help the Admins
tration the mere omission of Mr.. Bland from
the committee would have told the story. The
member from Missouri is not very bright, but
he is mischevOus because he is as sincere as he
is wrOng-headed, and it will need something
more than n neutral committee to overcome his
misdirected zeal.
Mr.. Randall takes charge of the Committee
on Appropriations, but he is warned that the
Democratic party does not intend to be pro-
tected against itself any longer. Mr.. Turner,
of Georgia, again takes charge OF the Commit
tee on Elections, and If his unbushing parti-
sanship in the past does not mslead. it may
safely be inferred that those are right who re-
port that the Speaker has put member from
Michigan on the Committee of Ways and
Means to hold place for Mr.. Hurd of Toledo,
who is to be voted into the House, though
never elected by the people. The appointment
of Mr. Belmont as Chairman Of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs in Place of the experienced
and honored member from Pennsylvania, will
not tend to harmonize the Democracy, nor
to increase the int uence of the committee with
the House Ex-Governor Curtin is drafted
into service as chairman of the Committee on
Banking and Currency, .though ne says he
knows nothing about the subject and is not
disposed to learn. Mr.. Reagan again has
charge of the Committee on Commerce, and
will thrust his Communistc schemes upon the
House 1t is believed that Mr.. Villas will be
sustained in delying an act of Congress by the
Committee on Post Offices, and that the wrongs
done by General Sparks toGhonest settlers at
the w est VIII De uclcpded Dy tnc committee on
Public Lands. Nor does the composition of
the Committee on Territ ories warrant hope that
Dakota will have fair treatment.
There is much that is disheartening in these
selections, but perhaps the most unmistakable
in its meaning is the choice of Mr. Willis for
the craftsmanship of the River and llarbOr Com
mittee. BY this selection the Speaker makes
himself and his party in measure responsible
for the course which that committee, under the
leadership of the same Mr.. Willis, has pursued
i'm the past. He is a studIOus man, not lacking
in ability, and is especially gifted with power to
make members consider the emptying of the
Treasury public duty. With no bit in the
mouth of the House, to control it as Mr..
Randall may wish, that body is rot likely to be
led by Mr. Willis into any path of niggardly
economy.
On the whole, the choice of committees is not
encouraging. All the influences which have
made Democratic House dangerous in the
past-sO dangerous that Democrats and Repub
lcans have joined in fervent thanksgiving when
such a House adjourn ed-seem to be espeA
cially favored by Speaker Carlisle, and endowed
with increased power for mischief. There will
be cause fOr rejoicing indeed if this session OF
Congress ends without harm to the country.