Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-18
CHANGE IN SENATE RULES
Proposition to Distribute Some Of the Ap-
preparation Bills.
To Take Away Much of the Work of
the Appropriation Committee and
the Reasons for 1t.

In a recent speech in the Senate Mr.. Du-
bcis of Idaho gave intimation of change
in the rules of the Senate that is very like
ly to be brought about. He said 1T had be-
come very evident that the Senate commit
tee on appropriations was becoming over
worked. and the time had arrived when the
duties of that committee should be light
ened by having the various appropriation
bills divided among those committees which
had jurisdiction over the subjects treated
in them. This, of course, created some
thing of a stir in the appropriations COM
mittee. Beyond all question this commit
tee is the most powerful in the Senate 1t
handles every appropriation bill except the
river and harbor bill, and this is only a
bienrial measure. In every other direction
IL is supreme. If a Senator desires to Sc
cure an amendment to any of the various
bills he is obliged to introduce it, then re-
fer 1T to the committee having jurisdiction
of the subject when appropriations are not
concerned, and then have it reported and
referred to the appropriations committee to
be Incorporated in the proper bill. This
was the course pursued with the amend
ment appropriating $5O0,WO for the Ha-
waiian cable. well as a hundred other
amendments proposed this session.
The Proposed Changes.
Since the short speech of Senator Du-
x
as it has been talked about, and a propo-
sition to change the rules in this particu-
lar is sure to meet with favor. the only
difficulty being the failure to get action.
1t is proposed that all appropriation bills
save those known as the general bills treat
ing of all subjects shall be referred to and
handled by the committees as follows:
Agricultural-to the committee on agri-
culture.
Fortifications-to the commjttee on Goa ST
defenSes
Rivers and harbors-as now, to the COM
mittee on commerce.
District of Columbia-tO the District of
Columbia committee.
Diplomatic and consular-to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
lndian-to the committee on Indian af-
fairs.
Army and Military Academy bills-to the
committee on military affairs.
Naval-to the committee on naval affairs.
Pensions-to the committee on pensions.
Post office-to the committee post
offices and post roads.
This would leave the legislative, execu-
tive. the sundry civil and all deficiency
bills to be handled by the committee on
appropriations, and by those who favor the
change it is asserted that this will be am
pie for that committee. 1t is pointed out
that during the consideration of the post
office bill Senator Blackburn, who had it
in charge. was unable to tend the confer
erce on the diplomatic and consular bill,
although the House conferees were ready
to confer for three or four days. 1t is also
claimed that the Senators who serve on
the other committees would be better able
to handle the various subjects because CT
their intimate knowledge of them.
8IOther Argument In Favor.
Another argument used is that the i'm
pOrtance of these committees would be
increased, and as a consequence the i'm
portdnce of many Senators. There would
not .hen be struggle for places on ap-
preparations and many Senators in caring
for their particular interests would be
glad to serve committees having charge
of an appropriation bill, in which they or
their people We're particularly interested.
The Senate committee on appropriations
consists CT nine members. and the argu-
ment is made that this Is too small a num-
Der to have such power. To these nine the
remainder of the Senate must come for
appropriations of every kind, except those
relating to rivers and harbors. No man
can expect a place on this committee un-
less he has served a considerable time,
although this unwritten law has been
broken in one CT two instances. No fault
is found with the present committee, but
the argument is made that no committee
should have much power, and further
that the growth of the country and the
increase in membership of the Senate is a
sufficient reason why the change should
be made.
There may be some difficulty in bringing
about change. Two members of the COM
mttee on rules are members of the appro-
pria tions committee and resolution to
divide up the appropriations might meet
with a great deal of opposition from this
source. But the Senators who are work
ing for the change say it can be brought
about, as almost the entire membership
of the committees to whom the various
appr opriation bills would be consigned in
case the division was made, are in favor
Of the change and are strong enough to
carry ii through.