The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-12-12
The Legislative Machine Not Yet
in Good Running
Order.
Managers Are Still Struggling With
Committee Appoint
ments.
Crisp Trying to Be Impartial in
Dealing out Committee
I%!OnOrS.


Committee Possibilities.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 9.--NotWithstand.
ing the fact that the organization OF
both branches of congress has been per.
fcctcd in its main details and the presi
dent been informed they are ready to
receive his communications it still re-
mains for the managers at each end of
the capital to supply the all important
part Of the Legislative machine the com
mit,ccsj before the wheels can begin to
rcvolvc and the iifty-second congress can
begin 10 discharge Its proper functions.
Already the managers of both branches
of congress arc struggling with the
problem how to accommodate each aspir-
ant for committee assignment with his
personal preference without causing dis
content and with due regard to public
policy.
In the senate the only contest likely to
he expected is the one relating to a com
mlttee OF minor Importance that on Ii
brary where at least three senators
~ctockbridge of Michigan, Dixon Of Rhode
Island, and Wolcott of Colorado are
anxious to succeed the late chairman.
Evarts. A struggle is possible. however.
over the vacancy on the appropriations
committee caused by Farwcll's retire
ment. inasmuch as IA place on this com
miltcc is of much moro Importance locally
than on the other committees. as it is
supreme IN the matter of the CXDendi-
turc Of the public moneys. but beyond
the fact that the place will probably go
10 one of the far northwestern states
there is no visible determination.
Mitchell. who had been chairman of the
railroad committee for two terms, eX-
pcctStO till ~SpoOner's place as chairman Of
the committee on claims, and he is likely
to get it without much opposition. Nc.
Mlllin OF Michigan will probably assume
the craftsmanship os the committee on
the District OF Columbia vacated by In
gals, but this may require him to rclin-
qulsh his present craftsmanship on the
manufactures committee, which will nat
uraily pass to Quay, Casey Of North
Dakota il as good as booked for Mitch
ell : present position Of chairman Of the
committee on railroads, as he has had no
craftsmanship since he entered the senate.
Possibly Wilson OF Iowa. though a
member Of several hard worked CON
mittccs may be induced To accept the
craftsmanship Of the committee on educu-
ton vacated by Blair but this rather IN
desirable place will probably be handed
over to Il new senator. fioar goes by
order and by preference TO the head of
the judiciary committee vice Edmunds,
resigned.
Teller takes his place as chairman of
the committee on privileges and elections
and places Platt in "A position to take the
lead IN the patents cOmmitte. There is
some talk of giving PETER a place on the
agricultural committee. Some politics
are involved in this and it may
be the alliance senator will Sc
ure a more desirable place as
a result Of the efforts Of the republican
and democratic managers to keep him
on their respective sides. Nobody has
undertaken as yet to assign Kyle. the
South Dakota alliance senator, but the
expressed views of lrby, the South Caro-
lima alliance senator, have caused him to
be assigned to the minority representa-
ton. 1t is said upon good authority
that Speak Crisp has not up to this
morning offered q single committee chair
manship to any member of the house.
and for that reason all reports as to his
are purely speculative and
conjectural. based on a consideration of
geographical location. experience in spe-
cial lines of legislation. and adherence or
non-adhercnce to the late canvass for
tie new speaker. Though Crisp
said he will not punish his opponents,
his friends naturally will not be over
looked where meritorious. The speaker
has, to a few friends, outlined the policy
which will govern him, so far as the in
dividual characteristics of the members
will permit. in the makeup Of the com
mittecs. He will, it is learned, endeavour
to give the west and north a prominence
in the membership of the leading com
mittees and avoid as far as possible char
gcs of scctonalism. \ few experienced
democrats from north of Mason and
Diyon's line will therefore fare well at
the hands of the speaker and Crisp will
advance to important committee places
a nunbe of newer men whose abilities
it is believed will qualify them for
such important trusts even though
their experience has not been SO great as
is usually necessary to secure coveted
committee honors. The speaker has
thus far been kept busy receiving and
answering personal telegraphic and mail
congratulations and in attending to rou-
tine matters. The practical adjournment
of the house for the week will give him
an opportunity to do "A great deal of
work towards fixing the committees be-
fore the Christmas holidays.