Arizona republican., 1899-11-27
At the Personnel of Var iOuS Committees.
HENDERSON'S PLANS
Among the Changes of Rules Tn ere Will Be One Affecting Election Contests for Congressional Seats. The Democrats are Having Lively But Unimportant Fight Among Themselves.

Among themselves.
 Washington, Nov. 26.-Representa- tive Henderson is adhering to his de- termination not to disclose to the anx- ious members of the house what com mittee assignments he has decided on for them. It is believed that he will be ready to make the committee an- nouncements almost as soon as elected. but, as matter of delicacy. he does not feel like making any declaration. even to the men most concerned, be- fore his actual selection to be speaker.
 The anticipated rush of members of the house to Washington immediately upon the arrival of the man who is to be speaker has not materialized. While there were good many callers at the Normandie to see General Henderson there were comparatively few members of the house. In the absence of a speakership contest, and with the knowledge that little more than has already been done to secure committee assignments wanted can be accom- plished, members seem to be taking their time about coming to the capital
 One matter of interest stated is that there will be a reform in this congress in the matter of election contests. There has been a questionable practice of delaying these contests in many cases almost until the close of con gress, thus depriving the contestants, if entitled to seat, from participation in legislation for a greater part of the term. It is now proposed to make q special effort to have all contests dis posed of as speedily as possible and to make their consideration the first thing in order after the committees are ready with their reports. The theory of this policy is that one of the first duties of the house is to know how its membership is constituted.
 MT. Hepburn is not making much headway in his fight to change the rules of the house so as to diminish the power of the speaker and the commit tee on rules in shaping legislation. General Henderson is much opposed to any action by the republican caucus which shall give him as speaker less influence on legislation than was ex- ercized by MT. Reed, and he has as- surances from the president that tN administration is in favor Of con tinuance of the present system.
 The Reed rules of last congress. it is almost certain, are to be adopted by the republican caucus. The speakers privileges are not to be curtailed by any action of the caucus.
 Probably the first legislation of iml portance will be the passage through the house of the financial measure which has already been prepared by the caucus committee. This will not be accomplished without contest, but little doubt is expressed of the meas ure getting through the house.
 After the adoption of the Reed rules General Henderson is more interested in obtaining the enactment of the cur rency legislation than In any other measure. The general was member of the caucus committee of the house which met at Atlantic City early in the summer and which framed a cur rency bill He is anxious to have that bill become a law.
 The scheme of the caucus committee is to be referred to the republican eau GUS December g. and the influence of General Henderson and his friends is to be exerted to obtain the adoption of it and to insure its speedy considera- tion by the house. General Henderson would like to see the bill passed by the house before the holiday recess. so that the senate may be held responsi- ble for any delay In it's enactment.
 In all matters relating to Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, Gen eral Henderson will follow closely as may be the wishes of the administra- ton.
 Ex-Representative Aldrich of Ala bama who is a contestant for the seat in congress which he has In other con- gresses secured after a contest, is in Washington looking after his interests, with the hope of having his case de- cided early in the session. He says that there is a period of the greatest activity and prosperity in Alabama, and that he believes a majority of the people of that state are in favor of expansion. There is a growing senti- ment in favor of protection in the state, also, he says.