St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-10
PLACING The PLUMS.
Probable Distribution of the
Desirable Chairmanships
in the House.
Speaker Crisp Unpledged as
to Any Assignment With
in His Gift.
Mr.. Mills, 1t Is Said, May De-
cline the Ways and Means
If 1t Is Offered.
Senate Berths---The Mes
sage Read---0fficeseekerS
Are Numerous.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. -Notwithstand-
ing the fact that the organization of
both branches of congress has been per-
fected in its main details and the presi-
dent has been informed that they were
ready to receive his communications, it
still remains for the managers at each
end of the capitol to supply an all-im-
portant part of the legislative machine
the committees before the wheels
can begin to revOlve and the Fifty-sec-
ond congress can begin to discharge its
proper functions. Already the man.
ayers in both branches of congress are
struggling with the problem of how
to accommodate each aspirant FOR
a committee assignment with his
personal preference without causing
discomfort, and with due regard to pub
bic policy. 1t is said upon good author
ity that Speaker Crisp had not up to
this morning offered single committee
embarrassing to any member of the
house, and for that reason reports as TO
his intentions are purely speculative
and cOnjectural, based on consideration
of geographical location, experience in
special lines of legislation and adher-
ence or non-adherence to the late can
yaSS OF the new speaker. Though Mr..
Grip has said he will not punish his OPP
ponentS, his friends naturally will not
be overlooked where meritorious.
CrIsp's Policy.
The speaker has, to few friends, out
lined the policy which will govern him.
SO far as individual characteristics of
members will permit, in the makeup of
the committee, He will. it is learned,
endeavored to give the West and North
prominence in the membership of the
leading committee. and avoid as far as
possible charges of sectionalism.
The few experienced Democrats from
north of Mason and DiXon'S line will.
therefore. fare we'll at the hands of the
speaker, and Mr.. Crisp Will advance to
important committee places a number
of the newer men whose abilities. it is
believed, will qualify them for the as
sumption of important trusts, even
though their experience has not been so
great as is usually necessary to secure
much coveted committee honOrS.
The practical adjournment of the
house for week will give the speaker
an opportunity to do great deal Of
work toward fixing the committees be-
fore the Christmas holidays. The com
mitteeS on rules, enrolled bills, accounts
and mileage will be appointed as soon as
possible. The custom of recent years
has made the chalrmen of the two most
important committees, those on ways
and means and appropriations, the party
associates of the speaker on the rules
committee.
Mills May Decline.
Mills is expected to be rendered the
craftsmanship of the ways and means
committee on account of his identified
ton with the tariff reform movement.
but personal considerations may induce
him to decline this honor, and to prefer
place as simply member of the com
mittee. Ex-Speaker Reed and MIR. Bur
rows, of Michigan, are named as the
Republican members of the rules CON-
mittee.
In advance of tender of the place,
definite information as to whether or
not Mr.. Mills would accept the ways
and means craftsmanship cannot be had;
but Mr.. Mills, it is known, would prefer
not to be on the rules committee, and,
should the custom of coupling the two
places be followed, this would increase
the probabilities of a declination of
both. AS MIR. Springer is Northern
man, there is reason TO believe he is not
unlikely to be Mr.. Mills Democratic
successor, and he is almost certain of
being member of the ways and means
committee, if not the chairman.
Mr.. Holman. of Indiana, is tire most
prominently mentioned representative
for the craftsmanship of appropriations,
but the name Of Mr.. McMillin, of Ten
nessee, was today suggested for the
honor; and. aside from experience, abil-
lty and the knack of feeling the temper
of the house, he has in his favor the
fact that two adjoining states seldom
get the two most important chairman
ships, and that it would be
A Graceful Thing
for the speaker to appoint one of his
principal opponents. Mr.. McMillin
can, of course, stay on the ways and
means committee if he prefers. But
Northern men Will dominate these two
principal committees. MessrS. Hatch
and Bland, of Missouri, are slated for
the chairmanshlp of the agricultural
and coinage. weights and measures
committees.
Amos Cummings, of New York, is the
probable chief of the committee on mer-
chant marine and fisheries. and post
Offices will go to Blount, of Georgia, its
chairman in the Fifteenth congress.
Herbert. of Alabama, has a sort of pre-
scriptive right to the naval affairs COM
mittee through being is former chair
man, in which position he had an influ-
entail part in the upbuilding of the new
navy. The foreign affairs committee
will have for two of its members Chip
man, of Michigan, and McCreary, of
Kentucky, with geographical location in
favor of the former as chairman and
longer experience on the side of the lat
ter. MIR. Fitch, of New York, will, 1t is
believed, secure either a craftsmanship
or an almost equally eligible committee
place, and may be the New York men,
Der of the ways and means committee.
MOOted Assignments.
Mr.. Cultivate, of Ohio, is the proba-
bic chairman of the Pacific railroad
committee unless he should prefer
elections. Being a Georgian is the
principal point against Mr.. Turner, of
Georgia. in connection with the chair
manship of the committee Oh commerce.
and either he or Isadore Ravner. of
Maryland, will figure in this place.
membership on the ways and means
committee going to the one losing the
Virginia, goes on the ways and means
committee he will get chair
manShip. lie has seen service on
the manufactures committee, but prob
abably prefers some other committee.
The public buildings committee will go
to the North very likely, and Forney. of
Alabama, can look after the militia if
he wants to while attending also the
appropriations.
Culberson, of Texas, and Oates. of
lol ~ IL