Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-16
OF SPEAKER
Subject One Discussed Nearly
a Century Ago.
TARIFF WAS INVOLVED, TOO
Fears That Head of the House Had
Unwarranted Control.
SPECIES OF A MAGICAL RIFE
SPECIES OF A MAGICAL RULE
Assertion That the Authority "in
Days of Less tranquility" Might
Become Dangerous.

| Nearly century ago the power OF the
Speaker OF the House of Representatives
became subject of discussion. and, as at
present, the question of a protective
| tariff with those of internal improvements
was involved. Henry Clay was then the
occupant of the seat. and was the recog-
nized champion of those measures. and
not only was he the Speaker. but he
frequently took a leading part in the
debate. The country was just then re-
covering from the effects of the war
of 1872, and the foregoing questions were
prominent. and though in the Monroe adj
minstra ton there was little political fric-
ton. fears were entertained that too
much power was delegated to the Speaker.
The National Register of this city in
November. 1917, had the following under
the heading THE Speakers Chair:
Perhaps the influence which this chair
possesses has never been generally or ac-
curately investigated; there is attached
to it, however a species of magical power
which operates forcibly, il not vlSibly,
and the Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives IS clothed with more author
ity than the community at large. or per-
haps even the members Of that honorable
body contemplate.
Long custom rather than any conSti-
tutional law has assigned to the Speaker
of the House the appointment OF all com
mltteeS, and the very first act oil MS ONCE
is generally the nomination OF those I'M
portant bodies, such as the committees of
finance of foreign relations. Of commerce
and manufactures, of post office and
roads, etc.
Formidable Political Adversary.
The Speaker appointing those com
mittees has naturally his views in the
selection, and as his own sentiments
| may be favorable or unfavorable to GER
tain views of the administration. lie may.
by the selection of his committees, oper-
ate either to Illustrate or forward mea-
sures recommended. as we'll as various
| other measures submitted to their discre-
J ton. BY knowledge of the accordance
or opposition of the generality of the
| members of the house TO certain points,
| which information session fully con
NeyS. he may SO regulate matters ana
| things as to become d formidable po-
| litical adversary to any administration,
| and might even carry his point in oppo-
sition to the sentiment of Congress.
We do not mean to insinuate that
| such has ever been the case. nor do
| wish our remarks considered having
| the least bearing en- the honorable gen
tleman who has filled that station with
SO much credit and dignity. What VI
wish to convey Is that we consider the
power delegated by Congress from long
| usage to the Speaker Of appointing all
| committees is clothing him with
| thority which may III days of less tran
| quillity become dangerous and even sub
| versatve of the free representation of the
people
1T may very justly be contended that
| the appointing Of committees facilitates
! tie dispatch Of business. and that il is
| parliamentary for the Speaker to appoint
| them
1T is not against the appointment of
| committees that are opposed but
against the parliamentary usage-of the
| Speakers appointing them. For we see
no reason why the members of the House
| should not vote the formation OF
committees as we'll the nomination OF
| a Speaker. Besides, a Speaker once APP
pointed, it appears a matter Of courtesy
| to reappoint him, and the body perhaps
votes on this most important question
| without taking into due consideration tie
| power which it delegates as regards com
mitteeS.