The Minneapolis journal., 1901-10-11
MINI. IN CONGRESS
State Has Weight on Every Leading
Committee.
DELEGATION A VERY STRONG ONE
Forthcoming Work of Congress in
Which MinnesOtRns VIII be
Conspicuous.
Ieutldina, Haahtnatosa.


Building, Washington.
Washington, Oct. 11.-While there is nc
law governing the case. il is quite GER
tain that General Henderson will be re-
elected speaker of the house Of repre-
sentatives Of the ffty-seventh congress
and that the committees OF that body will
be made up as they were in the fifty sixth
congress, save where members have failed
of reelection or for personal reasons de-
sire changes OF assignments.
The Grout bill will come up for pass
age again, and 1t is interesting 10 note
that Representative Lorimer, of Chicago,
who was a member Of the COM
mittee having the bill in charge, is
now a private citizen. He gave the
friends of the bill more trouble last win
ter than everybody else in congress COM
bined. He was chairman OF the sub-com-
mittee of the committee on agriculture to
which the Grout bill was referred. He
put the bill into his pocket and refused
TO report it for months. Finally, he was
made to disgorge but not until after the
full committee had threatened to resort
10 extreme measures. 1t was openly
charged that Lorimer was acting directly
in the interest of the big packing house
companies of Chicago. His failure TO be
returned to congress will be hailed by the
butter people blessing Of large pro-
portions. Incidentally. it may be said
that the chances for the passage of the
Grout bill are very bright.
Representative Tawney's special COM
mittee on Louisiana purchase centennial
will be an important one during the fifty
seventh congress. Mr. Tawney has been
given large committee room just OFF the
capitol rotunda, and will be very busy TAX
ing care OF the interests Of the big expo
sition. The other members of this COM
mite are Steele, Of Indiana, Sherman, OF
New York. Joy, of Missouri; Corliss, OF
Michigan, and Burke Of South Dakota.
Fletcher Ranking Member.
1t is noticed that Representative
Fletcher, Of Minnesota, is the ranking
member Of the important committee on
interstate and foreign commerce. 1t has
taken him good many years to reach this
big position, and, as in the case Of Rep
resentatiVe Eddy, of Minnesota, who is
ranking member Of two important COM
mittees-public lands and mines and min
ing-his assignments will constitute a
strong reason in favor of his continue
tion in congress. 1t Is only after a mem
Der has climbed by slow stages to these
high places that he can influence legisla-
lion and accomplish a maximum Of good for
his district and state. This lesson, so
difficult to learn on account of the am
billions Of men who are desirous Of per-
forming public service, has ben wisely
learned by the great states of the east,
and explains, almost entirely, the dispro-
portionate influence they have in shaping
the affairs of the nation.
President Roosevelt is supposed to be
in favor Of irrigation, which fact will add
to the Importance of the house irrigation
committee in the next congress. Tongue
OF Oregon is its chairman, and the other
northwestern member is Jenkins of Wis
cOnsin, who is the ranking member OF the
committe on judiciary.
Bartholdt, of Missouri, is the chairman
of the committee on levees and improve
ments Of the Mississippi river, and the
ranking member Of the committee is Nor
ris, of Minnesota, who, should he remain
in congress, Will undoubtedly become the
chairman before a great while, since Bar
tholdt comes from a district which has
been SO gerrymandered by the Missouri
legislature as to make his hold on his
office very insecure.
The committee of merchant marine and
fisheries will continue to be one of the
most important committees of the house
because of the fact that the subsidy bill
is to be pressed again next winter The
quartet of western members, Stevens OF
Minnesota, Minor of Wisconsin. Jones of
".
will be depended on, as a year ago, to rep
resent the sentiment of the middle west
and strive for bill which will fairly rep
resent that great section. On the quartet
Mr.. Stevens is the leader, and during the
fifty congress he made his views felt
in such way in the committee as to
call for general comment.
Military Matters.
II fp llyaIv tba+ +ba ,ro.;5o,+ - -
retary Root will combine in favor of the
plan OF bringing the regular army and the
national guard into closer relationship,
and on that account the militia committee
Of the house will be charged with respon-
sible duties. Marsh, of Illinois, is its
chairman and Hull of Iowa, and Gardner.
Of Michigan, are members Of it, Hull
is also the chairman Of the military af-
fairs committee, which explains the new
army post at Des Moines. Mr.. Hull's
political enemies should not be permitted
to accomplish his defeat for a renomina
tion without the state having had first a
chance TO understand what that defear
will mean. No new member from the
Des Moines district could in years OF
service lift himself to the position of in
fuence in the house now occupied by Mr..
Hull.
Larger appropriations for rural free de-
livery Will Dc udue Dy congress next WIN
ter, and so the country Will watch the
committee on postof1ces and post roads
with some interest. Lous of California
is its chairman.
Mercer Of Nebraska is the chairman OF
the committee on public buildings and
grounds, and will have much to say about
reporting the bill for a new federal build
ing in Minneapolis. AT the time of the
Mckinley funeral trip from Washington
to Canton, Representatives Fletcher and
Stevens Of Minnesota had a long talk
with him regarding the proposed new
Minneapolis building, and it is under
stood that he expressed himself as being
favorable to 1t, after listening to the ar
guments. The good will of the chairman
OF the committee is considerably more
than half the battle.
Representative Lacey of Iowa is the
chairman OF the committee on public
lands, and next to him stands Representa-
tive Eddy Of Minnesota, who by reason
Of this position is the chairman Of the
most important subcommittee Of the gen
eral committee, and in position to take
care Of the large and important public
land interests Of the northwest From
the standpoint of public policy and LAYING
entirely aside all personal questions and
the fact that several prominent gentle
men are already in the field opposing Mr.
EAdy's denomination, 1t may be said as