The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-11
COMING HOUSE COMMITTEES.
,r~nERs0N HARD AT WORK UPON
THE LIST OF MEMBERS.

a inherent Type OF wan FROM gar
ueed-some of His characteristics.
PENSION Problem COnfrOnts Him.
xot known whether Reed VIII
say in Congress.
washington, Aug. 1O-(SpeciaD Gen.
r.,.,d r. Henderson, the prospective
.na,l5er of the next House of Representa-
lives hopes to be able to announce his
committee appointments soon after Con-
ere-s convenes.
Ills long service in Congress enables him
-, no familiar with the characteristics
oo5 Qualifications of those members re
elected who have seen previous service,
VI. has obi aimed from the clerk of the COM
mtuee on printing advance sheets of the
Conforming congressional directory, ana
is Al present busy studying up the per
sonaIIv prepared biographies of the new
members elect.
one of the duties of the clerk to the
committee on printing of the Senate who
has cnarge of the compilation of the con-
eres-ional directory, is to gather in these
biographical sketches as soon as the cleo
ton IS over. The necessary data has
therefore been In the hands of the printer
for several months, although the general
puhlication of the directory is usually
withheld Until the first day of the ses-
sion
Ii is not every speaker who is as con-
rdent Of his election so far in advance of
the opening of Congress as Gen. Hender-
son seems to be. Therefore he has the ad-
vantage of many of his predecessors in
having SO much time in which to consider
tie makeup of his committees.
HendersOn's Advantage.
In former Congresses the contest over the
e1eakership has usually been in doubt up
70 the Saturday night prior to the assem-
bling of Congress when the party in con-
tro held it's caucus. In close contest
many deals and bargains over committees
are INDUCED in so that the speaker. after
ne is elected, often finds himself greatly
embarrassed in constructing his commit
tees Gen. Henderson, it appears, will he
relieved of any embarrassment so far as
doubt Of his election is concerned, and he is
afforded ample time and opportunity 10
smooth out all the wrinkles in his party
and heal all the wounds of disappointment
growing out of committee assignments be-
fore the congressional bail begins to roll
next December.
OF course. all the old members who en-
joyed desirable committee positions in the
last Congress expect to fare as well, if lot
better under the dispensation of Speaker
Henderson as they did under Car Reed.
There are apt TO be some disappointments
i'm that direction, because all of Mr. Reeds
friends are not personal friends of Gen.
Henderson. 1t is but natural that the lat
Ter should drop a few of the rich plums in
to the laps of those who are expected 10
aid him in carrying out such line of policy
as he may eventually adopt
Comparison With Reed.
When personal characteristics are con-
siderod there is a wide difference between
Nh Reed and Gen. Henderson. 1t is doubt
tuj if this generation viii live to see any
occupant of the chair possessing all the
peculiar attributes Of leadership with
which Mr.. Reed was endowed Even men
who did not love him could not help adj
mirng his wonderful b!ity and ind0mi-
table VIII power in exercising the almost
unlimited authority placed in his hands
by code of rules which he himself franz
ei He MADE no attempt to court the good
fellowship of the members of the House
generally, but confined his sociability 10
small coterie of gentlemen who looked III
10 him for inspiration and guidance on al
national issues. Many a new member has
been MADE to feel the sting of his biting
attempted. Notwithstanding his pecufiari-
ties of manner and Jas somewhat cruel
method of expression, Mr.. Reed insured
an amount of respect that was akin 10
ave II measure of legislation was pro-
I -t'l which did not meet his approval ne
nouncod it openly ard employed al The
power at his command to defeat ii.
Gen. Henderson is an entirely different
type OF man; bg-hearted genial, hail-fe,-
toW-Well-met with members on both sides
Of The chamber without regard to party.
80 constituted by nature that he would
rather grant a favor than deny one, he
nay ind himself frequently hampered by
his desire 10 please everybody When ne
takes up The speakers gaval next Deem
oer ne will find behind him very slim
majority. The Democrats, with bright eX-
peetauons and hopes for the future, will
ne on the alert to take advantage of him
from a party standpoint. II is hardly
prohable that he will resort to the drastic
tactics of MIR. Reed in the Fifty-first Con-
Ffess to Increase his majority by whole
sale and reckless unseating of Democratic
members.
An Important Problem.
One OF the greatest problems to confront
zen. henderson will be the attempted raid
on The treasury by the pension sharks
i'ls record shows extreme lberahty in the
sfanung of special and general pensions
't' war with SPAIN has given new tease
o. life to the army of pension agents and
attorneys that flourished and reaped such
teh harvest eight or ten years ago. The
pension grabbers are already maTshaing
'ueir force preparatory 10 advancing on
'Ae capitol. With Dave Henderson in the
speakers chair, they expect the commit
lee on rules and the committee on pen
SONS TO be so constituted that any old
's1im with pension tag on il, be it just
oi UNJUST, will have the right of way
'Htough the House of Representatives.
Gen Henderson's loyalty. patriotism and
ueEouon 10 the country of his adoption
WIN pc put TO the .severest test in dealing
WIN the Gains, pension and private,
sowing out Of the recent war with Spain.
remains TO be seen whether he will
nave the courage to turn down the jobs
uIu schemes now being concocted to loot
'''e treasury during the next Congress.
Where Does Reed stand:
5 about time for the Hon. Thomas
i'dehet Reed TO declare, officially, his po-
l'4Ddi intentions for the coming session ~