The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-17
WASHINGTON E6s ! u Z !

Vt the House today was merely Il loL-
NAL one. The speaker appointed /
on accounts and mileage |
and the House adjourned until We'd
nesday.
Speaker Crisp after the adjourn
ment OF the House today listened for
several hours to The members who
called to express their views on party
policy or state their committee prefer
ences. This makes four days the
speaker has now devoted to the task
of ascertaining the opinions and
wishes of his party colleagues and he
has heard perhaps the greater num-
Der of the Democratic members Of the
House, though some Of them did not
express their individual preferences.
Messrs. Springer, Mcmillan, Hatch
and Wilson of West Virginia, repre-
sentatives who were regarded as pos
sible speakers have called on Mr..
Crisp. The speaker heard the views
of all his callers but has not reached
definite conclusions, nor has
he offered the craftsmanship to any
person. He desires to visit his home
for few days as soon as convenient,
but he is unable to leave Washington
before the latter part of next week.
He said this afternoon that he was
afraid he could not complete the or
ganization of the committees before
the Christmas recess, though some
friends think the work can be done in
a few days after he gets started on the
actual work. The failure Of the
speaker to announce the committee on
rules today was disappointment,
for it was generally supposed last
night that he would do so. 1t is
understood that Mr.. Crisp desires to
consider his selections more carefully.
He has list before him that contains
half dozen names of Democrats and
there are only two to be appointed on
this important committee. Many
leading Democrats have been urging
the speaker to promptly settle the
matter by appointing Mr.. Springer
and Mr.. Mcmillan on behalf Of the
majority and Mr.. Reed and Mr.. Bur
rows on behalf of the minority,
but until Crisp makes up his mind
who will head the committees on
ways and means and appropriations,
he cannot overcome some harrassing
features of the situation. The matter
is in q chaotic state and probably not
until Tuesday evening will Crisp be
able to make up the rules committee.
The opinion is strong, however, that
Mcmillan will be one of the Demo
cratic members Of the committee,
more on account of mis- knowledge OF
parliamentary tactics and activity on
the floor, than with reference to the
assignment of that gentleman on any
other committee.
There are from four to ten applica--
tions for each affice under the control
of the House of Representatives ana
this afternoon Mr.. Kerr, clerk OF the
House, Sergeant-at-arms 1oder and
Postmaster Dalton, held conference
to consider the distribution of patron
age, with a view Of making it as
nearly equal as political geography
would permit. Doorkeeper Turner
was @ be present, but was detained.
Mr.. Kerr decided to appoint Mr.. Wal
ter H. French of Massachusetts, file
clerk, vice Mr.. Ferris Finch of I'LL
rois, resigned. The place is worth
$500 year and was held by Mr..
Finch for a plumber of years. Mr..
Frank II. Hasford of the Detroit Free
Press, will be tally clerk and Mr.. j.
f. Snyder of Pennsylvania, discussing
and confidential clerk, two places
paying good salaries.
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Fit is not
likely that the president will make
any new appointments before the end
of next week. Many important APP
pointments are to be made, the chief
of which is the vacancy in the war de-
partment caused by the resignation of
Senator Proctor. S. b. Elkins Of
West Virginia is mentioned as most
likely to receive the appointment, but
Assistant Secretary Grant is thought
to stand very good chance of get
ting it. Other important nominations
which are regarded as likely to be
made much sooner are those OF the
judges of the circuit court Of appeals,
interstate commerce commissioner,
ministers to China and Japan and
Judge to fill the vacancy in the court
OF claims.
SENATE REPRESENTATIVE CAUCUS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-The Sen
ate Republican caucus committee has
been at work all the forenoon engag-
ed in recognizing the committee
membership, and the task is practi-
cally completed with the exception OF
a few minor places. 1t is probable
caucus will be called on Monday to
receive the report of the committee.
SECRETARY FOSTER IMPROVING
WAsHINGToN, Dec. p Secretary
Foster is reported better and stronger
today than at any time since taken
sick.
IMMENSE WHEAT CROPS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-The bureau
of American republics is informed
that the present crops of wheat and
wool in the Argentine Republic will
be the largest known in the country,
and the railroad companies are pre-
pairing for busy season to recoup
themselves for the great falling Off in
business during the financial depres-