Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-21


WASHINGTON, ID. c., April l3.-Har-
mony, with capital III" is evidently
to be a condition eagerly sought by the
leaders of the two great parties lin the
house of representatives. The Democrat
| ic majority has made rapid strides IN
this direction, and already the country
has been furnished with evidences OF a
reunited Democracy. The Republican
minority, under the leadership of Repre-
sentative James R. Mann, OF Chicago, has
followed in the wake of the Democrats
and shown a conciliatory spirit that may
in time heal all wounds and reunite the
grand old party.
The Democrats and Republicans alike
are working with single point in view
the presidential election in 1912-and In
their efforts to get together and win this
fight they will subordinate many differ
ences that in other times might be hard
to adjust.
The action of the Democratic caucus
in unanimously approving the work of the
Democratic members of the ways and
means committee with reference to COM
mittee assignments meant more than was
shown on the surface 1t meant that
the surviving members of the famous
''23" who went with Johnny Fitzgerald in
the memorable rules fight at the opening
of the 61st congress are in as good stand
ing today as they were before the "Fitz,
gerald amendment was adopted. Every
one of the "23" who is now member
of congress was well cared for in the
distribution of committee places by the
caucus, and every one of them is today
stanch organization man.
1t might be added here, in this con-
nection. that Fitzgerald and the other
Democrats who went with him on that
eventful 18th day of March, in 1909, feel
that their attitude on that occasion has
ben INDICATED by subsequent actions Of
the Democratic party as a whole with
reference to the rules.
But il is not my purpose in this story
10 discuss the merits or dement's of the
Fitzgerald amendment. or the wisdom
of the % Democrats who supported It,,
suffice It to say that the present rules
of the house are satisfactory to Fitzger-
aid, those who followed him and the
rank and file of the party.
HOW THEY JARED.
Sixteen of the % Democrats who voted
for the Fitzgerald amendment are MEM
bers of the present house. Their COM
mittee assignments serve to illuminate
the esteem in which they are held. Their
committee assignments also emphasize
the length to which the Democratic or
ganization has gone to preserve har-
mony.
Fitzgerald, of Brooklyn, author OF the
famous amendment, is chairman OF the
appropriations committee
Brantey, of Georgia, is a member Of
the powerful ways and means committee
elected by the caucus Of his party
Broussard, of Louisiana, holds a place
on the Interstate and foreign commerce
committee. He is one of the few who
didn't fare so well in the organization Of
the present house as he did in the 6lst
congress. He was removed from the
ways and means committee but this was
due to his views on the tariff and not
his stand on the rules.
Edwards. of Georgia. continues to hold
his place on the mighty rivers and har-
bors committee. In addition, he has
places on the elections committee, No 1.
and the committee on alcoholic liquor
traffic.
Estopinal. of Louisiana, is on the naval
affairs committee, most desirable as
signment.
Conry. of New York, landed on the
committee on military affairs, one of the
important subordinate bodies of the
house.
Goldfogle. of New York, has a place
on the committee on interstate and for
eign commerce, than which there are
few better assignments in the house.
Gordon Lee, of Georgia, held his place
on the agricultural committee, and, in
addition, was given membership on the
war claims committee.
Lindsay, OF New York, plucked a place
on the invalid pensions committee
|, McDermott, of Illinois, came out OF the
shuttle with a place on the agricultural
committee.
John Moon. of the Chattanooga, Tenn,