The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-09-01
Especial Correspondence


WASHINGTON, Aug. 51.-''There is no
mercy in politics." With this senten-
tious sentence an old habitue of the capt.
toll summed up the striking features of
the new house committees appointed by
Speaker Crisp. The speaker hesitated
about displacing the heads of the two
principal committees and only came to
his decision when convinced that what
are called the exigencies of politics de-
manded it, but this cannot lessen the
blow to Judge Holman, retired at the
close of his life. from the committee
where he had made his reputation, and
William M. Springer, deposed from the
head of the most important committee
of the house, just when it had something
of historical moment to do. To Mr..
Springer the loss in prestige is especially
severe at this time, as for the first time
in years he is threatened with fight for
the Democratic congressional nomina-
1tion. A wealthy Springfield banker
named Caldwell, according to the belief
of Illinoisans here, will strive to get the
nomination. and as he recently prevented
the state fair being moved from Spring
field to Peoria it is feared he may secure
Mr.. Springers home county of San
canon. According to the unwritten
western political code, norman can gain
a nomination unless backed by his own
county.
In selecting his new men harmony be-
tween the house and the administration
was aimed at by the speaker, and ap-
parently has been secured. Possible
combinations against the speaker for re-
election have also been guarded against
by good committee assignments in states
from which trouble might come. And
with it all the speaker has stuck to the
rule that no man can have friends who
does not stand by his friends.
The south gets the lions share of the
committee chairmanships-32; eastern
and middle states, II, and western states,
12 Of the important chairmanships, the
south gets ways and means, appropria-
tions, judiciary, commerce, rivers and
harbors, foreign affairs, postoffices, pub
Lie lands, territories, public buildings and
education.
The eastern states have as their i'm
portant chairmanships only naval af-
fairs and immigration. The western
states secure military affairs, banking
and currency, merchant marine and
fisheries, pensions, Indian affairs and
labor, with Missouri having coinage and
agriculture. The numerous changes
among northern Democrats and their
short tenure of service is at least par
TALLY accountable. e,4 s.'eei.
The most important committee, now
that the bill for the repeal of the Sher-
man law is out Of committee jurisdic-
ton, is the committee on ways and
means. The fact that Mr.. Wilson of
West Virginia is chairman is conclusive
evidence that the bill to be framed will
be complete revision of the tariff and
one thoroughly in accord with the views
of the administration, for Mr.. Wilson
was the presidents choice for the place.
Mr.. Wilson says that the committee will
go to work promptly and will prepare
bill making a complete revision, but in
timated that he was favorable to an ad-
journment of congress until December,
when tho silver question is out of the
way. 1t is the purpose to make such
tariff outs as will meet the party plat
form. Additional revenues for the sup
port of government will be raised by an
increase Of the whisky tax