The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-06
He VIII Endeavor to Comply with
Their Wishes in Making Assign
merss ON Committees OF the House.
MIR. REED HARD AT WORK
HE HAS NOT YET ANNOUNCED ANY
OF THE CHAIRMANsHIPs.
MIR. Overstreets Bill to Reform Meth
DDS of Paying PensfOners-Mr. john
sons Notice to His Constituents.
peciai to the 1ndianapoli. Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The Indiana dele
cation Is in cheerful mood tonight. In
formation has been conveyed to them that
the schedule Of committee assignments laid
before Speaker Reed by Representative
Steele has been favorably received. and.
while Mr.. Reed has not given an absolute
promise that the wishes Of all the members
be complied with, he has indicated his
belief that the desires of the delegation do
not impress him as unrea sonable, and he
sent word that he will try to make every
member of the delegation feel contented.
1t Is believed tonight that the chances for
Mr.. Henrys appointment on the public
buildings and grounds and Mr.. Hemenway's
prospects for appointment rivers and
harbors are very f1attering. All the MEN,
bers feel that Mr.. Reed is very kindly dis
posed toward thenl and that there Will be no
grounds for the silly rumors that the Indiana
delegation will be Disseminated against be-
cause OF it's possible attitude towards Mr..
Reeds presidential ambitions. The ques-
ton OF the patronage which has been ap-
portioned to Indiana members is practical
ly settled. The members all know how
much has been set aside for Indiana. but
the final division has not yet taken place.
IL Is possible that there may be combina-
tons among the members whereby two
members may pool their issues for one Of
fee and permit some other member to take
up two minor appointments. At all events
the patronage IS regarded by the delegation
as being intended for the whole delegation,
and not for each individual, and its dis
tribution will be made with view solely
to benefiting the Republican party in the
State, and not from the standpoint of the
selfish interests of any single member. The
members preserve deep reticence, and all
state that while at home during the Christ
mas holidays they will select the benefi-
ciary OF the appointments.
An Associated Press dispatch says:
Speaker Reed has begun to definitely outline
his list of committees on paper. After re-
ceiving members Of the House all day yes
terday he sat down at o'clock and worked
until late hour putting OH paper the as
signments he had decided on up to that
time. To-day he gave more interviews to
members and listened to the presentation
OF their claims. No information has leaked
from the Speakers room except remarks
by Mr.. Reed to the friends OF a member
who asked for the craftsmanship OF the
committee on labor, which seemed to indi-
cate that he has decided to give that place
TO Mr.. Phillips, of Pennsylvania, whose
name has been presented by the labor or
ganizations The labor unions are taking
an interest In the committee on immigra-
ton, as we'll the labor committee. and
are endeavor.ng to bring about the selection
Of the committeeman who will favor Sem
ator Lodges bill, which, among other
things, would bar illiterate foreigners from
entry. II Is estimated that not less than
20 per cent. of the foreigners admitted un-
der existing laws would be excluded by
system requiring the ability to read and
write their own language, and this is what
the labor organizations wish to secure.
Probably the strongest pressure being
brought to bear on the Speaker comes from
various candidates for the committee on
ways and means. The 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 in
terests OF every class and section has been
invoked, and many letters and petitions are
pouring in. Next to ways and means in
their desirability are the committees on ap-
pi, priations and rivers and harbors. the
two bodies which have charge OF the distri-
button of the largest sums Of money.