The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-17
. Determination Of some Members 10 spread
their views before the country at great length.

their views before the country at great length.
E%a
in one way both Of these are within the
power Of Speaker Crisp TO control, and in
another they are not. He can organize the
Committees at once and announce them before
the adjournment for the holidays, aud he can
rush business through by refusing 10 recognize
dilatory motions or buncombe takers. His
power is despotic, when he is backed mp by
majority Of the House. The vital question is
whether he will be backed up by majority in
all his reprcssye measures There are more new
men in this than any previous House, and their
temper is a serious problem for Speaker Crisp
and the other party managers. The readiness
with which these men arrayed themselves
under the banners Of old leaders in the Speak
ershp contest, and their tractbility to disci-
pline throughout the fight raises the hope that
they will submit readily to control in the man
agoment Of the House.
80
The formation Of the Committees is a most
pelplexiug problem. There are ~ Standing
Committees in the House, and in more than
two-thirds OF these the ranking members who
have distinct claim to be appointed 10 the
Chairmanships are soutbemers. The South
keeps up its old practice Of continuing its Rep
resentatiyes in Congress for many terms, aud
the result is that they all grayitatc TO the heads
Of Committees. Take, for illustration, the fol-
lowing moro important Committees, with the
men who stood at the head Of the Democrats on
them in the last Congress, and who are men,
bers Of this Congress, aud consequently claim
ants for the Chairmanships:
On Elections-Chas. F. Crisp Ca. Next to
him was C. I. O'Ferral Va, who will demand
the Craftsmanship.
On Ways and Roger Q. Mills (Tex.),
Benton McMillin (Tenn.). q. r. Breckenridge
| Ark.
On Appropriations. d. sayers TEX, W.
C. p. Breckenridge Ky, A. NJ. Dockery MO-.
On Judiciary-D b. CuIbertson (Tex.), w.
c. Oates Ala, w. l.. Wilson lW.Ya.).
On Banking and Currency. w. Covert IN.
y. D B. T. shiycly Ind.).
On Coinage, Weights, and Measures-R. p.
Bland No., Chas. Tracey n. ~.
On Commerce. g. Turner Ca.
On Rivers and Harbors-N. c. Blanchard
(La), Chas. Stewart Tex. T. C. Catchings
lMiss.), r. f. Lester Ca, r. II. Clark ALA.
On Merchant Marine aud Fisheres-Amos
Cummings N. ", Joseph Wheeler tAla.).
On Agriculture-W. II. Hatch Mo-
On Foreign Affairs. b. McCreary Ky, C.
L. Hooker Miss.
On Military AEairs-Joseph Wheeler Ala,
s. W. T. Lanham TEX, S. NJ Robertson La. }.
On Naval AHairs-H A. Herbert ALA. VIM.
Elliott IS. CO.
On PostOfices and Roads,. II. Blount
(Ga).
On Public Lands-ws Holman Ind, VIM.
J. Stone Mo-, 7. C. McIae Miss.
On Indian Aaairs-s. W. Peel Ark, John
ii. Allen (Miss).
On Territorics-Wm. H. Springer Cul.), c.
B. Kilgore Tex.
On Railways and Canals f. Cobb (Ala.).
On Manufacturcs-W. L. Wilson Nv. Va.
On Mines and Mining. RWhiting lMich.).
On Public Buildings. II. Bankhead Ala,
10 Abbott TEX.
On Pacific Railroads -w IT. Grain cTex.).
On the Mississippi River-T r. slockdale
(Miss.) r. ii. Norton NO., G, J. Boatner La. }.
On Education-A. G. Caruth Ky, Jas. L.
Cobb Ala.
On Labor-T. C. Catchings Miss.
On Militia-W. II. Fomcy (Ala).
On Patcnts-G. ID. Tillman g. c..
On Invalid PensiOns-E Edward Lane NIL,
]. ii. Goodnight Ky, Clarke Lewis Miss.
On Pensions-W. II. Martin, (Tex)
On Claims-Chas III. Mansur Mo-.
On War Claims-Wm. J. Stone Ky.
Here are the FIRST 30 Committees, taken In
the order Of their Importance, aud on % Of
them are Southerncrs who feel that they have
earned the right to the Chairmanships They
will feel it a gross injustice IL they are not
given these. II the ranking Democrat is SET
aside, 1t viii be seen that the next in rank is
also SOntherner, and 50 on, in many instances.
for several members. There will be trouble n
their claims are disregardcd and there will be
trouble IL they are allowed, and all the good
Chairmanships as well as the Spcallership given
10 the South.
-.
Therefore IL is highly improbable tha,
Speaker Crisp will be able 10 make Up his Com
mttecs before the holidays aud IL he does not
II is going TO take very hard work for tho Com
mittees 10 get through their business 50 as :,
allow an adjournment in May.
The Republicans are IN a queer condition a
regards the Committees. There being only &,
Of them, and 49 Standing Committees. besides
! II Select Committees, they will DO terribll
oyerworked IL they are required TO make up
full minority on each Committee They only
average about one aud three lourths 10 a Stand
ing Committee aud II an average Of six Il pu
on each Committee, each viii have 10 serve OF
{ four or five Committees. 1t Is understood tina
: they have formally waived all claim TO fol
, representation on all the Committees.
+ -
J The Committee OF the FIRST importance Is q
; course, that on Rules. and It is probable tina
the Speaker viii at least designate this befor
the recess. The liyeliest canvassing Is goin
= on In regard to lie composition, for il is reall
the governing Committee OF the House.
. not only formulEtes the rules which are adopt
, ed Ia advance for the government Of the Hous,
but IL keeps q 6m grip on all business through
out the life Of that body, and says what shal
and what shall not be advanced. The Speake
10 en- C6ioiO Chairman Of the Committee, an
the other members are two Of his politics