New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
SpEAEER REEDS COMnITTEES.

The appointment of the standing committees
of the House of Representatives completes the
organization of that body. The making OF these
committees is the most important duty that the
Speaker has TO perform, because upon them the
efficient. wise and successful conduct OF legis-
latiye business mainly depends. While speaker
Reed has been happily spared some of the seri-
ous embarrassments which Judge Crisp encoun-
tered four wears ago. he has been CONFRONTED
by difficulties and perplexties that were Doth
unusual and peculiar. The Republican majority
Is exceedingly large and its representation in
the several committees must therefore be pro-
portionately strong.
In the elections for the LID Congress
the Republicans made heavy gains, which
brought in many members OF that party VINO
were destitute of experience In National
legislation, and the political revolution OF
1894 brought in nearly three times as many
more 1t follows that about four-fifths or the
Republican members Of the present House OF
Representatives are men who have had no previ-
GUS experience whatever in Congress, or whose
experience has covered only single term, and
that in a House controlled by the opposite party,
which gave them scant opportunity to show
whatever qualifications they possessed. We do
not refer 10 this matter however as the basis
of an apology for the committee appointments
that have been made. A careful inspection or
the list shows that the Speaker has been guided
and governed by sincere desire TO make the
most judcious distribution and best use OF the
material at his command, and that he has
achieved large measure Of success. lie him.
self undoubtedly feels that in n few cases he has
not been able to do all that members deserved
on the score of experience or ability, or all that
they desired; but such cases are comparatively
few in number and the organization that he has
formed appears to be, on the whole, an exceed
ngly strong and effective one. This IS espe-
cially true in regard to those committees which
will shape and handle the more important meas
ures of legislation, and upon which the heavier
burdens Of work and responsibility will rest.
The new Committee on Ways and Means in
stead of exciting dstrust and fear as the last
one did, will inspire general confidence. There
is every reason to believe and expect that what
| ever Chairman Dingley and his Republican col
| leagues may do, or try TO do, toward the enact
| ment Of necessary legislation for the relief of
| the National Treasury and the protection and
| maintenance Of the National credit will meet
| with general approval, and will not injure or
unduly disturb the business interests OF the
| country The committee Is confronted at the
| outset by serious and difficult problems, made
all the more difficult by the extraordinary attl-
! tude Of the Democratic President and his Secre-
| tary of the Treasury That it will deal with
| those problems in a spirit Of patriotism and
| with ability no man doubts who knows the
members who compose the majority. The COM
| position of the Committee on Appropriations, as
| we'll rs Of the other committees which will have
| jurisdiction of appropriation bills for various
| branches Of the public service is such as to
| warrant the belief and expectation that while
| Holmansm will not be allowed to prevail wise
| and judicious economy will be exercised. In
| view Of the present unhealthy state OF the Ma
| tional Treasury, and the somewhat uncertain
| prospect of legislation to increase the National
| revenues this Is a most important not to say
| q vital consideration. The Administration has
| not only set before Congress the task Of making
| bricks without straw, but has made it heavier
| and more difficult than ever by increasing the
| regular estimates Of appropriations for next year
| over those for this year. The Committee on
| Foreign Affairs will have to deal with some OF
the most serious and important questions affect
| ing the foreign relations OF the United States
| that have arisen in recent years. In placing Mr..
Hit Of Illinois at the head Of that committee
| Sneaker Reed has made an assignment which
| will meet with universal appreciation and COM
| mand the confidence Of the country. Chairman
Hits Republican colleagu as well as several
members Of the minority, are strong. able and
pa;riotic men, in whose hands the interests con-
| nded TO them will be entirely safe The promo
| tion of Mr.. Henderson, OF Iowa, from place
| on the Appropriations Committee, where he had
| faithfully served for ten years, to the Chairman
| ship OF the Committee on the judiciary and a
| place on the Committee on Rules was fitting
recognition Of his abilities and services. The
| Committee on the Judiciary is an exceedingly
important one, and an inspection Of the list OF
members shows that it is an unusually strong
| one II is hardly probable that the Committee
on Banking and Currency will be swamped with
| work In this Congress. but with Mr.. Walker, Of
Massachusetts,, at its head. supported by Repub
lican colleagues, as well as by at least one Dem
ocrat, who are thoroughly sound on the money
question. there is no danger that the committee
will fail to deal sensiby and satisfactorily with
any questions which may arise within its prov
| ince.
! We have carefully studied the list Of chairmen
and of assignments to places on the more de-
sirable and important committees to discover IL
possible, the extent TO which Speaker Reed was
| influenced by his personal ambitions as a can
| didale for the Presidential nomination. and are
| forced TO confess that the search has been In
vain. Ii any chairmanships or other places were
| distributed with view to help Reed BOOM"
| we have not been able to trace them. and,
a matter Of fact, all the appointments and AS
! signmcnts. both Of chairmen and to other mem