Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-20
CRISP AND MILLS.
CORRESPONDENCE TOUCHING COM
MlTTEe ASSIGNMENTS OF LATTER.
Second Place on the Ways and Means Re-
specially Deciined-Other Possible
Assignments Left 20 the Speaker.


WASHINGTON, December 19.--Some of Mr..
Mills's close friends assert positively that
he has been tohdered by the Speaker and
has declined the second place on the Com
mittee of Ways and Means. with the chair
manship Of another committee. The
Speaker. feeling that the matter is not
proper for discussion at this iuncture, de-
clines to say anything upon the subject,
and Mr.. Mills is equally reticent at pres
eDt, although Il may be that the cor
respon1ence will be made public hereat-
ter.
II is quite certain that pressure is being
brought TO bear upon the Speaker by per-
sons not heretofore identified with Mr.
MIlls's aspirations 10 cause his appoint
ment to the Craftsmanship of the Ways and
Means Committee. As far az can be learn
ed the Speaker has not yet committed
himself 70 the appointment of any mem
Der TO this ehairmanship. and as MIR. Mllls's
reply TO his tender Is said to be couched IN
such terms as to warrant the assumption
that he would not reject the place. the
entire matter appears TO be still subject TO
harmonious arrangement.
The Speaker to-day said that he expect
ed TO be able 10 announce the committee
appointments when the House meets next
Wednesday.
TIE CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, December 19.-The follow
ing Is the text of the correspondence be-
tween Speaker Crisp and Representative
Mills IN regard TO the latter's committee
service:
"SpEGKER's ROOM
House. OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, December IS, 1891. )
Hon. u. Q. MUS, city:
My Dear Sir,-Having been too much
engaged 10 call upon you, aud being now
about 10 enter upon the work of consti-
| tuting tho House committees | drop Won
| a line TO know If II would be agreeable or
acceptable TO you to be appointed second
| on the Committee on Ways and Means,
and in addition to such assignment 10 be
appointed chairman of the Committee on
| Commerce, or chairman of the Committee
! on Post-Ofiices and Post Roads, or chair
man of some committee whose work Is less
labOrious than commerce or post-otices.
Woul be glad to have a reply at your earli-
est convenience, as / desire TO make up
and announce the committees IN few
days With great respect ! am sincerely
yours, CHARLES +. CRIsP.n
NR. MLLs's TART REPLY.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEsl
WASHINGTON, December 10. 1891. J
Hon. Cherries f. Crisp, Speaker House o.
Representatives.:
My Dear Sir have received your
letter Of the 18th asking me If it would
be agreeable or acceptable to me to be
appointed second on the Committee on
Ways and Means, and in addition to such
assignment TO DO appointed chairman of
the Committee on Commerce, or chairman
of the Committee on Post-Offices and
Post-RoaGs, or chairman of some commit
tee whose work is less laborious than COM
merce or post-Offces.'
Having been member of the Commit
tee on Ways and Means for ten years, and
chairman in the Fiftieth Congress, the rea-
sons which have, in your Judgment, rem
dered my appointment as chairman UNI
wise would disqualify me for service in any
other place on that committee, audit would
not be sincere to say that it would be
agreeable to accept your tender. leave
il to you without any suggestion from Inc
TO make such other assignment as you, IN
the discharge of your official duty, may
determine. Yours truly, Il. q. MILLS"