The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-03

committees. There are many vacancies on
committees caused by the retirement Of
senators. These will be filled, and in cases
IN which the Republicans are in the min
ority on committees, steps will be taken TO
so change the membership as to give them
control Having 50 clear a majority OF the
members Of the Senate the Republicans
are disposed to assert their privilege of
controlling committee work throughout. No
decision has yet been reached as TO what
snail be done about filing the elective Of
ices of the Senate. but the present dispo-
sition Is TO postpone action upon that sub
Juct for the present. The general interest
In the committee changes centers In the
committee on finance. There are two va
oancies in that committee. caused by the
retirement OF Senator Turpie, OF Indiana,
and White. Of California. and the Repub-
licans will insist on filing both of these
places. The friends OF Senator Hanna are
urging his selection for one OF the places
The probabilities are that the detailed
work OF filling the committees will be dele
gated to committee and that no actual
changes will be made for several days, or
possibly weeks
General Henderson came to the Capitol
but remained in the speakers room In the
rear Of the House lobby until after the
House officers had been selected. He was
then escorted to the rostrum of the House
by Messrs. Hopkins. OF Illinois; Payne, of
New York, and Sherman, OF New York. He
was greeted with cheers, and in response
General Henderson addressed the caucus
follows:
Gentlemen-You will permit me to speak
from my mind and from my heart on this
occasion. Perhaps has ever had
more reason for being grateful TO the Re-
puoiicans of this great legislative organza-
ton than have at this hour. / ass ire you
tnaI no man ever felt more grateful than L
do. The manner in which this nomination
mas come. the friendship abounding, If /
may say it. in affection. has loaded me down
with obligations which do not attempt 10
Sig6 Once hSse hy bsr wno aSpred to the same
me, only demonstrated the greatness of the
men who aspired TO your recognition. and
their generous followers. blending into one
klncly body, made me feel how worthily
tneX were supported. lApplausel.
on we Ne M have s, great responsibilities resting
sponsibilities in the coming year, and upon
our wise action much depends for the pros
l impress upon your minds the absolute ne
cessity for (evotion to the Republic In more
than one particular. Economy must be our
watchword-care in the expenditure of the
peoples money. At the same time, let us
be large enough in intellect to grasp the
situation. which presents growing coun-
try with opening and expanding conditions
which demand our careful and patriotic
consideration We are going 70 be met by
accomplished leaders This involves the ne
cessity for the Republicans touching ell
DoWs In the great work before us. We have
our small majority, every man. like a true
soldier must be constantly at his post of
duty lapplausol: end urge with great earn
eStnesS that this will be the determine ton
of each and all. Accepting this generous
nomination as do, have no fears but that
body will increase the confidence and happi-
ness or the Republic. Profoundly and CRATE
fully. thank you. ask that 1 may lean
highest request that can make tonight"
Mr.. Payne. Of New York, called attention
to the narrow majority in the House and
the necessity of having all the Republic
ans present throughout the session. He Of
fered resolution, which was adopted that
no leaves be granted except for urgent
reasons and that one member should be
appointed to look after pairs
Mr.. Dalzell, OF 1ennsylvania, who was a
member Of the committee on rules in the
last Congress. offered a resolution declar-
ing II TO be the sense OF the caucus that
the rules of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty
fifth Congresses (the Reed rules) should be
adopted in the incoming House. He made
a speech of considerable length in support
Of his resolution. Under the operation of
the rules of the two last Congresses, he
argued that the House had been able to
transact business to their satisfaction and
the satisfaction OF the country They
were the only rules under which the House
had been able to do business
Mr.. Hepburn. who fought the rules in the
last Congress, attempted TO argue several
points with Mr.. Dalzell, but the latter re-
fused to yield. When he had concluded,
however, Colonel Hepburn got the floor
and attacked the resolution vigorously. He
insisted that the rules should be modified
He laid particular stress on the question
Of recognition. which he claimed should
go to the first member who addressed the
Chair. This had been one OF Mr.. Hepburn's
causes OF complaint in preceding Con-
crosses. He also contended that the COM
mittee on rules should be entirely independ-
ent OF the speaker and that there should
be general decentralizatiCn of power from
the Speaker in the direction of the COM
mittees The Speaker and the committee on
rules. he contended. had too much power
under the rules proposed to be adopted
The power of committees and individuals
should be expanded. He proposed an
amendment to the resolution providing that
the rules should be adopted for forty days
during which notifications could be de-
cided on. This amendment met with little
favor on the ground that it would show
weakness.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, who will again be
chairman OF the committee on appropria-
tions. warmly supported Mr.. Dalzelrs res
olution. He argued. and cited many in
stances to show. that while committees
were theoretically equal. the business of
some committees exceeded that of others
In Importance and II was right that such