Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-03
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Craftsmanship of the Finance
Committee of the Senate.
SHERMAN AND MORRILL, WANTED IT
The Same State of Things May
Happen Next Winter.
IMPORTANCE OF THE OFFICE

Although 1t is generally assumed that
Jonn Sherman will be the next chairman of
the Senate finance committee, it is a fact
that he is not in the line of promotion for
the place. Mr.. Morrill, who presided over
the committee before the present demo-
cratic control of the Senate began is en-
titled by the party custom to resume the
chair upon the reorganization of the COM
mittee. This attitude in the premises is not
known, nor is it likely to be known before
the regular party consultation on the SUBJ
ject.
Interest I'm Political Circles.
The question is one of interest in political
circles. 1t even touches the contest for the
republican presidential nomination at one
point. 1t is conceded that if Mr.. Sherman
tekes the committees helm, he will enjoy
an exceptional opportunity. Congress will
be obliged to take up the financial question,
and the chairman of the Senate finance
&C mmittee will be very considera bly, in evil
CeDce during the whole of the session. Mr..
Sherman, with the authority which he pos
sssSeS on that subject, would fill the stage
completely. The procedure in the case of a
financial measure differs, il is pointed out,
from that in the case of q revenue measure.
The Senate in the former case is not obliged
to await the action of the House. 1t may
take up bill OF its own, and fashion ii to
suit itself, without regard to what the
House may have done, OF may be expecting
TO do on the same line. 1t could even pock-
ct bill passed by the House, and pass a
bill of its own ana send that to the House.
Mr.. Sherman, therefore, as chairman of the
Senate finance committee, would not be
obliged to take his cue from the House, and
rcbody believes that he would be likely to
do so. He would be much more likely to
do business on his own account, and upon
lines laid down by himself
A Bit of History.
A bit of history is here recalled. When
Mr.. Sherman left the Treasury Depart
ment at the close Of the Hayes administra-
| tion he went back to the Senate. He car
ried great prestige as a fnancier with
him. He had steered the country safely
through a very rough sea, had brought
about the resumption of specie payments
and put things again upon promising
business basis. The natural desire of his
friends was that he be placed at the head
of the finance committee of the Senate,
where, as they claimed he could continue
to stamp his opinions Upon the financial
policy of the government. Mr.. Sherman
himself shared in this feeling. He wanted
the place But Mr.. Morrill, had succeeded
to it upon the assumption by Mr.. Sherman
four years before of the duties of the
Treasury Department and the Vermont
Senator was not disposed to give way. In
fact. he refused to do SO, and his party in
the Senate sustained him. Mr.. Sherman
also made chairman of the committee on
foreign relations. This arrangement con-
tinued without change until the democracy
two years ego captured the Senate along
with the other departments Of the govern
ment.
Fourteen Years Have Elapsed.
Fourteen years have elapsed since this
clash Of interests between Mr.. Morrill, and
MIR. Sherman took place. Mr.. Morrill, then
a vigorous man of seventy, is now Wig
orous man of eighty-five. He continues to
he diligent in his attendance on his public
duties. He is far more regular, indeed. in
his appearance in his seat in the Senate
than many of his younger colleagues are in
theirs. Public business seems TO interest
him as much as 1t ever did. He is still
capable of sustained effort ana takes the
floor for a long speech with much of his
old-time vigor. His present term will ex-
pire in 1897, hut in a recently published
letter from member of his family state
ment was made indicating that he would
be a candidate for reelection. He desires,
It Is said, to die in harness. This letter has
been well received in Vermont, and has
brought out the assurance in several news
papers that il Mr.. Morrilrs present vigor
keeps up, he will, if he then desires 1t, be
returned to the Senate. 1t is thought to be
apparent, therefore, that If Mr.. Morrill, asks
for his old place again at the head OF the
Senate finance committee, his probable con-
tinuation as a member of the Senate VIII
go to support the request.
May Come TO Great Proportions.
This matter it is thought, may come TO
greater proportions than naturally it would
assume. Mr.. Morrill, himself may not be
wiling to consider it in any other than
its individual aspect. 1t is noted that,
while always a loyal partisan. he has never
been a man of faction. He has never par
ticipated in any of the contentious that
now and then have torn and distressed his
party. He has never been presidential
candidate, nor the manager OF any other
mans presidential boom, and holding aloof
thus from the heat and confusion OF sueh
conflicts he has come to take high rank
with the conservative forces OF his party:
But for all this, the friends OF several or
the aspirants for the next republican presl-
Dental nomination attach Importance TO
his decision in this case. They would be
glad to see him stand for and secure his
old chairmanshp again. They do not rel
ish the idea of having Mr.. Sherman draw
such a prize, with such account as he
could and they believe he would, turn IL
to- They would much prefer to see 1t go to
NJ Morrill,, who, as they assert Is not
only entitled to il, but would keep IL out
of all entangling presidential alliances.
May he No Pressure.
There may he no pressure brought to bear
in the promises whatever. Mr.. Morrills
relations with Mr. Sherman are cordial.
His choice for the party's leader next year
is unannounced. But the fact that he is a
New England man, and that New England
men, as rule, are for Mr. Reed for Presi-
dent leads to the suggestion that If Mr..
Morrill, does decide TO stand for his old
place it will be very gratifying to the Reed
contingent. The Reed men regard Mr..
Sherman as their fayorite's most for
midable rival in Congress. They privately
admit that Mr.. Sherman, strong in him.
self, might become very much stronger
as chairman OF the Senate finance COM
mittee and dangerous man in the presi-
Dental race.
The subject is under discussion in quar-
ters likely fully to develop it, Mr.. Sher-
mans friends are as much interested as
Mr. Reeds, and the Harrison and the Nc
Kinley people are not Indifferent. The
game is getting to be lively, and every
noint has got to be fought for