The Minneapolis journal., 1901-10-11

that the state OF Minnesota mas every
thing to lose and nothing to gain by
making any change at present, so far as
Mr.. Eddy's seat is concerned. Mr.. Eddy,
in addition to being the ranking member
of the committee on mines and mining,
is the third member of the committee on
Indian affairs, which carries with il a
subchairmanship OF the highest impor
tance to Minnesota. No new man could
step into any Of these places. Mr.. Eddy
has only reached them after years OF
faithful and intelligent service.
A river and harbor bill will be passed
next winter Representative Morris of
Minnesota Is a member of the rivers and
harbors committee, and will be in posi-
tion fully to look after northwestern
claims
Probably there viii be no changes in the
committee on ways and means, which will
be storm center. owing to the effort that
is TO be made to revise the tariff. Mr..
Tawney of Minnesota is now the fourth
member from the bottom of this COM
mitee, and every advance which he makes
not only brings him nearer the chair
manship but means more important sub
chairmanships.
Minnesota Delegation Wen Balanced
1t has frequently been remarked in
Washington by public men that the Min
nesota delegation is more evenly bal
anced, both as to ability and committee
assignments, than the delegation from
any other state The several members
began congressional life at about the
same time. Messrs McCleary Tawney
and Fletcher began with the fifty third
congress, and the congress which opens in
December will be their fifth in success
sion. Messrs, Heatwole and Eddy began
later in
gress, and Messrs. Stevens and Morris
began two years later still, in the fifty
fifth congress. It so happens, which is
very unusual. that there has been no
conflict of ambition, so far as committee
assignments and work in congress are
concerned. Each man selected his spec
ialty which was distinct from that of
every other man, and followed it syste-
matlcally and conscientiously. 1t is sig
nificant 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 fire.
quently remarked.
Mr.. Tawney is a member of the COM
mitee on ways and means, the most i'm
portant committee in either branch of con-
gress, and has become a factor in its de-
liberaticns. He belongs to the committee
on insular affairs, which will become more
and more important as the time ap-
prOaches when congress must legislate for
our insular possessions. These two as
signments, with Mr.. Heatwoles on the
committee on foreign affairs, pretty well
cover the feld Of national and interna-
tional interest. Besides, Mr.. Tawney is
I fhn hai Of cnaain1 pOnon1ifa
which has in charge the interests Of the
st. Louis exposition.
Mr. McCleary is q member of the COM
mittee on appropriations, where he has a
voice in the expenditures of the govern
ment and is in position favorably to in
fluence legislation affecting the north
west the Importance of this assignment
should not be underestimated by those at
home. Besides Mr.. McCleary is a member
Of the committee on labor and chairman
Of the committee of library of congress.
No member Of the Minnesota delegation
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 in
dividual. Mr. McCleary's standing in con-
gress Is Of a high character, and he will
always be remembered for his luminous
and mastery addresses on the money
question when free silver sentiment was
running riot in this country.
Mr.. Heatwole is chairman of the COM
mittee on printing and in this position is
general overseer Of the mammoth govern
ment printing Office, with its thousands Of
employees. He has risen equal to his OPP
portunities, and won the plaudits Of or
ganiZed labor by his administration of the
committees affairs at critical times dur
ing the last session Of congress. Mr.. Heat
wole is a member of the committee on
foreign affairs of the select committee on
the census and Of two other select COM
mittees.
Mr.. Stevens is a member of but two
committees. Like Messrs. Fletcher and
Heatwole be asked for but two assign
ments, with a view to giving them all
his time and attention. On the committee
Of merchant marine and fisheries he rem
dered the great west service of the high
est character last winter during the time
when the subsidy bill was up for discus
sion. 1t was owing to him more than to
any other opposition republican member
that the bill as prepared was not pushed
through committee with favorable re-
port and then passed by the house He
will be in position to renew his work this
winter with equal ability and success. On
the military affairs committee Mr. Stew
ems charges himself especially with all
matters which may be of Importance to
Fort Smelling.