Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-02-27
REEDS POLICY is FIXED.
special Session viii BE for 'Tsrin
Work Only.

f0tb
manifested among members Of the house
,ver the proposition to confine the work
", the extra session to tariff legislation
exclusively. What has been suggested
IS possibility-that the only committees
announced at the outset would be the
ways and means, rules, mileage and ac-
:ounts--has been practically decioed
ipon as a fixed policy. The suggestion
Of this policy excited antagonism ana
led to talk Of combining against the
power OF the speaker TO fix the policy or
The house, without reference to party
caucus. But now that 1t is understood
that Mr.. Reed intends to adopt the pol
icy indicated, the spirit of resistance Is
growing very weak. The fact thar
whenever the committee assignments
are made MI. Reed will have their max
ing is sufficient to make ambitious mem
bers hesitate about antagonizing him
II the matter lay in the discretion or
the republican members Of the present
house they might make a combination
sufficiently strong to control the next
speaker, but 1t is too well understood
that the new members of the next hous
could not be got into such a combina-
lion. The policy contemplated Is to APP
point but the four committees named,
10 have the tariff bill reported immedi-
ately and passed by the house as quick
ly as possible, and then to have the
mouse adjourn from time to time. pand-
ing action by the senate. Three reasons
are given for this.
First, it will say time. IL the speak
er had to revise the whole committee
list before appointing the ways ana
mao ~ aavnnniftaa nn4i6Rrahlp time
would have TO be consumed before the
tariff bill could be reported to the
house.
Another reason is that II will be easier
to control the house to the carrying OUT
Of a definite policy as to tariff legislation
lf the bill IL acted on while the commit
Tee assignments are still pending. How
ever important 1t may be to the party
In power to put through a tariff bill con-
structed on definite lines, ii is a very
difficult matter TO hold representatives
in the house back from pressing GER
tain things Of local interest, which may
conflict with the general plan. AS near
ly perfect as the bill may be when re-
ported, IT can't be entirely satisfactory
to every one, and there might be enough
~malcontents to combine and break down
tie WIN Va lhc SoIiiliiAett III Scb'N P"s
ticular.
The success OF the present scheme OF
tariff legislation at the extra session
will depend largely upon the power of
the committee TO preserve the integrity
of this bin after 1t is reported to the
house. IL there are any disconnected
members. they will be less apt to indulge
In bushwacking II they have to go TO
he speaker for favors. 1t is a plain
proposition that the tariff bill can be
passed more easily before the general
committee assignments are made.
Then, again, Reed has a crow TO pick
with Mark Hanna, and Reed can hold
his gang In line better when the boys
have yet to be assigned to committee
places.
Another reason for not organizing the
committees at once Is that IL they are
organized there will be a restless desire
to get the house TO work on a lot Of
things as soon as the tariff has been sem
over TO the senate.
One thing is suggested that may in
terfere a little with the general design.
1t is feared that the general deficiency
bill may fail to become a law al this
session and that 1t will rave TO go over
to the extra session. There is positive
danger of this, and it would necessitate
the appointment Of the appropriations
committee.
The situation in the senate is shaping
up 50 that il can be fairly well calcu-
lated what treatment may be antlci-
pated there for the tariff bill. Its adop-
ton Is assured, but the general tendency
there probably will be TO increase the
house rates. 1t will not be the policy
of the opposition to make a fight for re-
duction of rates of duty, and increases
may be necessary here and there to Sc
cure votes. 1t is no probable that any
vote can be secured by a reduction OF
any protective feature.