The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-22
ON THE Committees
Col. Lester Gets His old Place on
Rivers and HarbOrs.

Washington. Dec 21.-The political sea
at the capitol was as calm as a mill pond
to-day and there was not a trace of the
executive hurricane that swept over con-
gress yesterday. The proceedings We're
brief and without special significance be-
yond the announcement Of the commit
tees in the House by Speaker Reed. The
latter is pleased to know that he made up
and announced his committees before the
republicans in the Senate are able to per-
feet their reorganization, an operation
they have been engaged in, ever since con-
gress convened. /,
There was some gossip among senators
and representatives as TO what action may
follow the Presidents latest message on
the finances, but no practical plan has been
suggested that is likely TO command the
support of the two houses of congress, and
also the approval of the President, hence
the speculation is wide and varied. The
free silver majority in the Senate stands
as menace 10 any proposition that does
not give the white metal recognition on
an equality with gold. Under the circum-
stances, both houses are preparing for a
protracted struggle over the financial
question, fully realizing that the President
is determined to uphold the credit OF the
nation, with or without the aid Of con-
gress.
In the House. the principal item of in
tereSt was the construction Of the various
committees. Naturally there were some
surprises and numerous disappointments.
one of the surprises was the placing OI
both Messrs. Crisp and Turner of Georgia,
on the ways and means committee. II is
an unusual proceeding to place two men
of tho same political faith on that com
mittee, but Speaker Reed established a
precedent without Offering any eNplana-
tion.
Savannah and the citizens OF the seacoast
towns generally to know that Rcpresen-
tative Lester has again been assigned to
duty on the river and harbOr commit ttce
There was greater pressure upon Speaker
Reed for assignment to that committee
than any other, ard the selection of Col
Lester is due to The ability and energy
with which he has performed service on
that committee in the past. lie is now in
a position to look after the interests Of
the new project in Savannah harbor, and
other improvements in the state He is
also a member of the committee on war
claims and expenditures in the state de-
partment. He probably fared as evil as
any member of the delegation.
Ex-Speaker Crisp, in addition to the
committee on ways and means, is mem-
Der of the committee on rules, which
gives him the leadership of the minority
ways and means committee, is assigned
| to the committee having charge of the
expenditures in the department Of justice.
Lon Livingston was made happy by be-
ing returned to the committee on appro-
priations, and the committee on alcoholic
liquor traffic.
Judge Black returns to the committee on
banking and currency, and also TO the
| committee on pensions.
Representative Tate goes to the naval
committee and that on mines and min
| ing. He will have an opportunity to help
| develop interests in the promising gold
mines Of Georgia, South Carolina and
Representative Mtddox vriIl laelx after
Indian affairs and also revision of the
! laws.
Representative Moses is assigned to pen
| sions and agriculture.
Ben Russell will occupy his spare mo-
ments with the committee on claims and
Representative Lawson is a member
| of the committee on education and the
election of the President and Vice Presi-
| dent
Representative Bartlett, the junior mem
| Der of the delegation, will have an op-
| election cases of two of his colleagues,
/ for he is a member of the committed
on election, and also that on civil serv-
Altogether the Georgia delegation is
/ well taken care Of in the new organiza-
1 ton of the committees.
/ In the South Carolina delegation Rep
/ resentative McLaurin carried off first hon.
| ors by being assigned to the committee
on ways and means. This is quite dis
| tinction for the young leader from Ben
nettsville and 1t will not hurt his future
aspirations to serve on the leading COM
/ mfttee in the House. He is also a mem
Der of the committee on railways and
! canals.
Next in order is Representative Elliott
| of the Charleston district. He has three
assignments, education, pensions and
/ militia. In the event of war with Eng
! land, the committee on militia will take
on additional prominence.
Representative Talbert will do duty with
| the committee on labor and expenditures
on public buildings. Representative Sprait
| goes to patents, ventilation and accous-
/ tics and expenditures in the agricultural
! department.
Representative Latimer will have an OPP
| portunity to follow his school land bill
while serving on the committee on public
/ lands and enrolled bills.
Representative Stokes viii serve on ag-
riculture and expenditures in the treasury
| department.
Representative Wilson is assigned to inn
migration and naturalization. and also
expenditures in the navy department.