The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-12-06
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES
Speaker Reed Has Not Yet Pre-
pared his List.
NAY BE READY EARLY NEXT WEEK
In tho Upper House of Congress sepator
Chandler offers Free Coinage Eli,
Which IL Dependent Upon the Action
OF Foreign Countries.


Chandler Onrers Free Coinage Brii,
Which IL Dependent Upon the Action
Of Foreign Countries.
WAsHIsGToN, Dec. e.-Speaker Reed has
bagun for the first time to definitely out
line his list Of committees on paper. After
receiving members of the house all day
Wednesday he sat down at o'clock and
worked until q late hour putting on paper
the assignments he had decided upon, up
to that time. Yesterday he gave more in
terviews to members and listened to the
presentation Of their claims. No informa,
ton has leaked from the speakers room
except remarks made by Mr.. Reed to the
friends OF a member who asked for the
craftsmanship Of the committee on labor,
which seemed to indicate that he had de.
cided to give that place to Mr.. Phillips,
OF Pennsylvania, whose name has been
presented by the labor organizations.
The labor unions are taking an interest
In the committee on immigration, as well
as the labor committee, and are endeavor-
ing to bring about the selection Of COM
mitteemen who will favor Senator Lodges
bill, which, among other things, would
bar illiterate foreigners from entry. 1t is
estimated that not less than 20 per cent.
of the foreigners admitted under existing
laws would be excluded by system re-
quiring their ability to read and write
their own language, and this is what the
labor organizations wish to procure.
Probably the strongest pressure being
brought to bear upon tho speaker comes
from various candidates for the committee
on ways and means. Tho Republicans
will be entitled to eleven places on this
body If the party proportion of the last
congress is maintained, and seven Of the
eleven will be new men. The influence Of
business interests Of every class and sec
tion has been invoked, and many letters
and petitions arc pouring in.
Next to ways and means, In their desir-
nbility from the standpoint OF the mem
bers, are the committees on appropriations
and rivers and harbors, the two bodies
which have charge Of the distribution Of
the largest sums Of money
Speaker Reed is considering a plan to
divide the work on contested election cases
by forming two election committees In
tho house. The plan, il adopted, would
greatly facilitate the work of disposing of
the contests bsfore the house, and would
give the contestants who may be found to
be entitled to seats for which others now
they might obtain them otherwise. There
are thirty-two contests on hand, and they
will furnish too much work for one com
mittee to grapple with. The business Of
this committee corresponds largely to that
Of a court, as 1t hears all tho evidence in
every case, and then votes upon it and re-
ports to the house. 1t Is said that tho
question of economy counts with Mr. Reed
in the matter, for when member is I'M
seated the salary for the position during
tho time the contest was pending Is paid
to both of the claimants, as well as the ex-
penses of conducting the case before tho
committee.
The house will probably adjourn after
Its meeting today until next Monday or
Tuesday. At that time the announcement
of the committees by Speaker Reed is ex-
pected. Speaker Reed, In his characters-
tic way, remarked yesterday: IF anybody
tells you that he knows what l am going
to do about the committees or any OF them
you can safely tell him he Is liar. And IL
a suit for defamation of character should
ensue therefor will testify in behalf Of
the defense"
The session of the senate was brief again
yesterday. Its only feature being the
introduction of bill by Senator Chandler,
Of New Hampshire, for the free coinage of
silver when England, France and Ger
many would enact similar legislation and
a resolution by his colleague, Senator Gal
linger, declaring 1t to be the sense of the
senate that it was unwise and inexpedient
to retire tho greenbaeks. There was also
a short speech by Senator Call, of Florida,
in favor of the recognition of the Cuban
revolutionists as belligerents.
d.. i
Immediately after the adjournment of tho
senate. Senator Sherman, chairman of
the caucus, announced the selection of the
following senators as committee to ar
range the committees of the senate:
Mitchell, Teller Cullum, Quay, Platt,
Chandler, Pcttigrew, Gear and Prltchard.
This committee was confirmed by the eau
Gus which adjourned subject to call.
When the committee has selected tho
committees the caucus will be called to-
gether to take action upon its arrange
ments. The committee is about equally
divided as to silver, four being for free
coinage while Chandler is very friendly to
silver. The committee will hold its first
meeting on Monday next.
The Democratic senators also held eau
Gus, there being twenty-six senators
present. The caucus decided upon the
nomination of Senator Harris for president
pro temPore In case the Republicans should
decide to attempt to select one of their
number to this Office. The caucus also
authorized the chairman, Senator German,
to appoint steering committee six of
whom shall be old members, three to fill
vacancies of those who were not re elected.
This committee Is to confer with the Re
publican committee for the purpose of
reaching an agreement as to the senate