The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-03-18
COMMITTEE SERVICE.

A. the commencement OF his service,
which was in the Forty seventh Con
ores. he was appointed a member OF
the Committee on Rules, on printing
on the District of Columbia, and also
of the Special Committee on Potomac
River Front. 1t was in the committee
roon that Mr.. German first iald the
foundation OF the great and com
handing influence he acquired ~ inc
senate. Every legislative body = con
trolled by its standing commit 'SsS,
and these. in turn. are each contfotleu
by a few strong, practical men among
its membership. who take " Vie
working oars" master the de'aiis
and svstematize the work before the
committee, and are depended on iof
that purpose. Mr.. German soon Gem
oDstrat ted that he was one OF THESE
strong men of the Senate, ana ne was
welcomed MS such by his brother Sen
ators. and especially by his Demo
cratic brethren, who sorely needed
lust such a man. He retained ms
membership of the Committee on
Rules during the entire period OF MS
service. and in that capacity, rs wen
as on the floor. found ample opportn-
nitv 10 demonstrate his knowledge OF
parliamentary law. of which ne y an
acknowledged master. and which be
came such an important factor IN the
great battle against the Force biii-
Mr.. German also retained his mem pet-
ship of the Committee on frin,ihg
throughout his term OF service nay
ing been its chairman during the
Fiftv-third Congress, when the Demo
Gratis were in control of the senate
Upon this committee. with its eNtrh-
siye functions in directing the large
annual expenditure for public print
mo Mr.. Germans practical business
capacity. sound Judgment ara exec
utive ability made their fun impress
sion as will presently appear. On the
District of Columbia COMMITTEES, ne
also became an influential member.
and was a recognized friend Of the
District To his characteristic
strength in committee work, thus
early exhibited, Mr.. German owed ms
advancement in subsequent Ion-
dresses to the important posts he held
so long on the great Committee on
ApproDriations. Commerce and Inter
state Commerce. and thereby he ae-
ouired the power to render such SUP
staptial service TO his own State IN
the way of public improvements, SO
far exceeding the similar service OF
any of his predecessors in Congress.
ECONOMY In THE PUBLIC PRINTING.
One of the first impressions made
on the practical mind of Mr.. German
as a member of the Committee on
Printing, was the great waste OF pup
lie money involved in the indiscrlm-
mate printing and binding in large
numbers and in expensive covers, OF
all kinds of worthless reports ema-
mating from Government officials,
MANY of which were never opened or
read. Accordingly, at his very hrst
session, we find him advocating, on
the floor of the Senate, a report from
the Committee on Printing. made by
himself. looking to the Inauguration
of some reform in this matter, which
was adopted after considerable oppo-
sition. In the following year. at the
close of the last session of the Forty
seventh Congress, Mr.. German, from
fine Committee on Printing, intro
duced the following resolution, whlch
was adopted March 3, 1883;
Resolved. That the Committee on Printing as at
,resent constituted be authorized to ST during the
coming recess Of the Senate and instructed 70 examine
and rerort on the following subjects
The public printing and binding. with view to
the reduction Of the quantity Of the work and
a The management of the Government frlhtihg
Office and Bindery. e,-.
The wages paid TO different classes OF employees
The necessity for the branch Offices of the Gov