The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-10-18
MINNESOTA in CONGRESS
A Well Balanced Delegation That Looks
Carefully After Our Interests.

| Minnesota delegation is more evenly
balanced, both as to ability and com
mittee ASST gnments, than the delega
| ton from any other state. The severa
members began congressional life al
about the same time. Messrs. Nc
Cleary, Tawney and Fletcher begar
with the fiftythird congress, and the
congress which opens in December
will be their fifth in succession
Messrs. Heatwole and Eddy began two
years later, in the ffty-fourth con
gress, and Messrs. Stevens and Morris
began two years later still, in the fifty
fifth congress. 1t so happens, which
is very unusual, that there has been nc
conflict of ambition, so far as com
mittee assignments and work in con.
gress are concerned. Each man select
ed his specially, which was distinct
from that Of every other man, and
followed it systematically and con,
scientiously. 1t is significant that the
seven members of the delegation
cover, between them, not only all OF
the important committees in the
house, but every committee which
even indirectly can interest the state
and the northwest. This fact is very
unusual, as old members of congress
have frequently remarked.
Mr.. Tawney is a member of the
committee on ways and means, the
most important committee in either
branch of congress, and has become a
factor in it's deliberations. He belongs
to the committee in insular affairs,
which will become more and more i'm
portant as the time approaches when
congress must legislate for our in
sular possessions. These two assign
ments, with Mr.. Heatwole's on the
committee on foreign affairs, pretty
we'll cover the field of national and in
ternational interest. Besides, Mr.
Tawney is the chairman of the special
committee which has in charge the in
terests Of the st. Louis exposition.
Mr.. McCleary is member of the
committee on appropriations, where
he has voice in the expenditures of
the government, and is in position
favorably to influence legislation
affecting the northwest the Importance
of this assignment should not be I'M
derestimated by those at home. Be-
sides Mr.. McCleary is member of the
committee on labor, and chairman of
the committee of library of congress-
No member of the Minnesota delega-
ton has committee places which SO
entirely harmonic with the tastes
and intellectual environments, or
which give an ampler credit to the
state and an honor to the individual.
Mr.. McCleary's standing in congress
is of high character, and he will
always be remembered for his lumin-
Gus and mastery addresses on the
money question when free silver senti-
ment was running riot in this coun-
try.
Mr.. Heatwbole. is chairman of the
committee on printing and in this
position is general overseer of the
mammoth government printing Office,
with its thousands of employees He
has risen equal to his opportunities,
and won the plaudits of organized
labor by his administration of the
committees affairs at critical times
during the last session of congress.
Mr.. Heatwole is a member of the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, of the select
committee on the census and of two
other select committees
Mr.. Stevens is member of but two
committees Like Messrs. Fletcher
and Heatwole he asked fol but two
assignments, with, view to giving
them all his time and attention. On
the committee of merchant marine
and fisheries he rendered the great
west service of the highest character
last winter during the time when the
subsidy bill bas upofor discussion. It
was owing to him more than to any
other opposition Republican member
that the bill as prepared was not
pushed through committee with fav-
orable report and then passed by the
house. He will be in position to re-
new his work this winter with equal
ability and success. On the military
affairs committee Mr.. Stevens charges
himself especially with all matters
which may be of impor lance to Fort
Smelling.
Mr.. Fletcher has made careful
study of the questions which come be-
fore the committee on Interstate and
foreign commerce, and is recognized
authority on every branch of the Paci-
fc cable controversy. His influence in
the committee is not second to that of
its chairman. His other assignment
is the committee on territories.
Judge Morris has to committees
which directly interests Duluth and the
twin cities-rivers and harbors and
Improvements of the Mississippi river
No new member from the Duluth
district could secure these assign
ments.
Mr.. Eddy represents public lands,
Indian affairs and mines and mining
and, also have said, his position on
these committees is one which makes
his retention as member of congress
something more than a question of
nolitico r. orob4 - - - .oo4:oaJ