The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-01
| A|l'NNEY FILLS DIG
PLACE IN CONGRESS-
AS Chairman Of Appropriations
Committee He Is Conspicu-
GUS in House.
BY w. w. Jermane.

5y w. w. JSrrnane. T.. ."
Washington, June 3O-Minnesota has
never until this session of congress had
q member of the lower house of that
body in position of so much promi-
nenoe and Importance as that occupied
by Mr.. Tawney of the first district,
chairman of the committee on appro-
priations, and the people, not only Of
the Winona district, but of the state
at large, will be glad to know that
1t is the general opinion Of members
In Washington that Mr.. Tawney has
made good, in s every essential assent! re.
SPo9 HIS aesG oSe for s t6s to be %
tto that of the first term Of any man
Who ever has filled the position, 80 far
the memory of people now living
ms back Before securing this big
iairmanship, Mr.. Tawney was one Of
,e important figures Of the house, and
close adviser of the speaker. For
BARS he had been republican whip and
and means. Now, however, with the
newt aurels he has won this session, he
occupies a position very much more
important than that which he occu-
pied befors, and has become a men,
Der Of whom the state may in very
especial sense be justly proud.
.. Stevens Estimate.
In order that an estimate Of his In
fuence apd Importance in his new posi-
tion might be presented to readers Of
The ournal by man who is in
position to speak with full authority,
/ asked Representative F. @. Stevens
Of st. Paul TO dictate a statement COW
eEing Mr.. Tawney's case, and he re-
piled as follows.
~ think to speak conservatively,
That Mr.. Tawney's work as chairman
s. Of the committee on appropriations is
thoroly approved BY tbe membership
Of the house. Next to the speaker, the
chairman Of that committee is theamost
important and influential member of
the constitute ON, the house must orig
mate appropriation bills, and the chair
d man Of the committee on APPROPRIATIONS
Is expected to have supervision over
every one Of these bills, whether orig
]pating In the committee on appropria-
lions or in any other commi ttee having
the right to frame appropriation bills
general guardian of the public treas
, ury. AS is we'll known, the senate is
always extravagant and prodigal in
making appropriations, and in adding
amendments to appropriation bills. The
fact that any senator wants an appro-
priation is sufficient reason for the
passage of such bill or amendment by
the senate.
T. "This condition prevents the senate
committees having charge, Of appropria-
tion bills giving to the items in such
CURED for economy and preserving the
j public treasury. This duty necessarily
falls upon the house committees, and
especially on the chairman Of the COM
mittee on appropriations. This condi.
ton makes him the very important and
influential official which he is in the
American congress-. It requires a com
lists in very few men. He must be ex-
tremely Industrious, able and willing to
work almost twenty-four hours day,
with a physique and mind almost in.
/ capable of fatigue; in his intellectual
capacity broad enough to realize the In
terests of this country everywhere in
the world, and yet to appreciate the rel.
appropriation in the five hundred OF
i more pages of appropriation bills which
are passed each session.
Fl "The chairman Of the committee on
I appropriations must be familiar not
/. only with every department of the
il government, but with the workings of
!, nearly every bureau Of every depart.
/ ment, and when it is realized that there
\ are more than five hundred bureaus 10.
\ Gated in Washington alone, the immensi.
] " Of the task will be appreciated. Tho
!. only know the workings Of this vast
machinery, but must have at hand the
! history Of the legislation concerning ii
I, and the plans for It's future. He must
prepare for attack by those who desire
Increased appropriations of all sorts
and by those Of the opposition party
\ who oppose, not only Increases, but the
tSa com mnH ~ aaec o.
/ ed TO be not only versatile and prac
/ tacal as to the business affairs Of the
them to th1 political exigencies Of the
party q, administration In power, and
this without materially increasing the
burden upon the treasury.
~ have here enumerated but e
/ part Of the vast responsibilities ani
DUTIES which rest upon the chairman Of
!. Mr.. rawnay was new TO this position
Il He had never served on an appropria
ton committee before, and had neve7
priatlon bin. But now, When o" the ep Brst
4 session of this congress is over. ever
those who were opposed to his selection
10Y Eals most responsible position mus
foncede that Speaker Cannon knew wha
be was about when he selected Mr.
I. Tawney.
"Mr: rawney enjoys the utmost re
/ high purpose and general ability. III
has been skilful and firm In attack.
upon items he deemed unworthy, and il
defense Of those he regarded as worthy
He has been taetful and considerable II
! his treatment Of the membership of thu
house: He has been broad and prac
tical in his handling Of the great mum
per OF Items which have come under
his scrutiny, and he we'll deserves the
eneomiums passed upon him by member,
of ais committee.