The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-11-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.

gress for the short session in December
there is every prospect that the fight for
further revision Of the House rules by
taking away from the Speaker the power
to appoint all committees will be reopen
ed. Moves looking TO this drastic reform
will come from both insurgent Republic
cans and Democrats unless the latter
have changed their minds during the
Congressional recess
From their homes 10 the West Repub.
lican Insurgents Murdoch, Of Kansas, and
Norris, of Nebraska, announced that
they were determined to renew the fight
for depriving the Speaker Of the right 10
appoint all committees as soon as the new
session began Representative Sims, OF
Tennessee, who made an unsuccessful at.
tempt last session to commit Democra-
tic caucus to this proposition, also is ex-
pected to start fresh move in that slirec-
ton as soon as the opportunity offers 10
December.
He was not at all discouraged when his
former attempt to commit the Democratic
caucus in this policy was side tracked last
spring. but he began systematic cam
vass of the Democratic side. seeking sup
port for the reform, and claimed to have
obtained about 40 commitments among
his Democratic colleagues before the
session ended.
1t will be an embarrassing situation for
the present leaders of the House Demo-
Gratis. Champ Clark, who in ali pro-
liability will be the next Speaker, was
counted as favoring the, change during
the last session, but Representative
Fitzgerald, of Brooklyn, who will con.
test with Clark for Speakership honors
next year, stood against the proposition
to strip the Speaker of the committee
appointing power.
While Champ Clark may favor the
charge, it is thought not Improbable be
will oppose the attemptt to have il brought
about this winter by the aid of Republi.
can votes. 1t is though that he will take
the position that, in view of The fact
that the Democrats will be held respon-
sible for the conduct of the next House
and for the enactment of legislation by
that body, no further drastic chafges in
the rules should be made until the Demo
Gratis take charge Of the House when the
|Sixty-second Congress assemblies
He may object to Republican House
attempting TO make rules for Demo.
cratic House, insisting that it will only be
fair that the many new Democrats who
will take their places in Congress for the
first time next year shonld have a share
in deciding on so important a matter as
this proposed charge in the rules, which
will revolusionize the practice Of the
House with regard 10 the method of ap
pointing committees.
~
The fact that the State Legislatures
chosen Tuesday will reapportion.the Con-
gressional~ representation in the various
States under this years census, will be a
distinct and perhaps important if not an
immediate advantage to the Democratic
party.
AS the great and usually doubtful
States Of New York. New Jersey, Ohio
and Indiana elected Democratic legisla.
tors. it will fall to the lots OF those
bodies TO rearrange the Congressional
districts in those States The present
apportionment in those States were made
by Republican Legislatures 10 years ago
and the Congressional districts were so
shaped that the Republicans have had a
decided advantage in the matter of elect.
ing members of the House ever since.
This advantage was gained by free but
skillful exercise OF the gentle art OF
"gerrymanderiEg. and the redistricting
of the State of Pennsylvania is an espec.
tally 6ne example Of what the Repnbs
licans did in that reapportionment.
II will now be the duty of the Demo
cratic Legislatures of New York, New
Jersey. Ohio aud Indiana, as we'll as West
Virginia and some other States that Join
ed Tuesdays landslide. to undertake the
rearrangemen of Congressional districts
in accordance with the new census and
under the provisions OF the Reapportion-
ment Act, which this winters session of
Congress must pass in obedience to the
mandate of the Constitution.
III doing this work the Democratic
Legislatures will naturally correct the
evils Of the previous Republican gerry
mander, y and will thus deprive the Re
pnbiicans of the unfair advantages they
HAYS had for 10 years in the matter OF
electiug members Of Congress-. This will
pive the Democrats better show 10 elect
majority Of the House 10 the Sixty-third
and subsequent Congresses and tend 10