The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-11-15
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Cen
eraI Topics from
the Capital.
Washington. November Is, 1912.

Now that it is settled beyond doubt
that the Democrats will organize the next
United States Senate profound interest is
felt in the realigument of the powerful
committees which control the legislation
OF that body
By reason OF their comparatively long
service in the upper branch of Congress,
Marvland's two Senator's will undoubt-
edlv receive important committee chair
manShips And the rule Of seniority will
advance them 10 more strategic positions
on those committees of which other Sen
ators will be Chairmen.
Senator Tohn Walter Smith stands TO
get either the chirmanship of the Naval
Affairs Committee or that of the COM
mittee on the District OF Columbia. Sen
ator Ravner, now chairman oi the Com
mlttee on Indian Dcpredatious, may be
advanced to the Guardianship of the Iu-
dietary Committee or that on civil Serv-
ice or, if he prefers that on education.
Only Senator Tillman. OF South Caro-
lima, outrsnks Senator Smith on the
Naval Affairs Committee. TIIlman'S
health Is SO prcCarl0uS that he may not
care to assume the burden of this great
committee. In such an event Senator
Smith would be turned 10. Senator Mar
TIN, OF Virginia, and Johnston, of Ala
bama alone stand between Senator
Smith and the Chairmanship of the Dis
trict Committee Each OF them NAV pre-
fer other berths. which would compel
the Democratic majority to name the
Marylauder for the position.
Ii any event. Senator Ravner and
81,
sitlonS in the next Senate organization.
Each will preside over at least one big
committee and will be named for others
that figure large in the legislation OF Con
gress.
National interest probably centres in
the Craftsmanship of the Senate Finance
Committee. This is the body that han
dies all tariff bills and to this the commit
tee will fall the obligation to carry into
effect the Democratic pledge of tariff re-
form. 1t does the work in the Senate
performed by the Ways and Means Com
mittee of the House. Its Craftsmanship
carries with it the floor leadership OF the
majority.
Senator Simmons of North Carolina, is
the ranking Democrat of the Finance
Committee now, but he is frank protec-
zionist. He has Just made a successful
campaign for reelection on protection
platform; that is. platform which prom
ises 'incidental' protection to North
Cardinals products.
Opposition to his promotion will come
from the pronounced progressives in the
next Democratic caucus. This opposi-
ton will be led by Senator John Sharp
Williams, OF Mississippi, and It will pre-
Cipitate merry fight With the Demo-
cratic Senators almost evenly divided be-
tween the progressive and the Conserva-
tive elements, the new members Of the
caucus will hold the balance of power
They will determine the issue, and com
ing, as they will, fresh from their people,
they are counted upon to throw their
strength toward the progressives.
# Senator Tillman takes the Naval
Craftsmanship he will retire from his posi-
ton as ranking member of the Interstate
Commerce Committee. Senator Foster
who is next to him, has been defeated for
re election. This places Senator New
lands, Of Nevada. al the head of this com
mittee.
1t looks now as if Senator Culberson, of
Texas. will be made chairman OF the Sen
ale Appropriations Committee. Senator
Tlllman is his senior there. but may not
want that post. Senator Foster comes
next but he retlres, leaving Culberson on
top The committee handles all miscel-
laneous appropriation budgets.
Without doubt Senator Bankhead, of
Alabama, will assume the craftsmanship
of the Committee on Agriculture; Sena-
tor Shivcly, of Indiana. that of the Com
mittee on the Census; Senator Overman.
of North Carolina. that on Claims, and
Senator Martin the Craftsmanship of the
Committee on Commerce. The Com
merce Committee is one of the very
strongest in the Senate.
Senator Bacon will have his voice be-
tween the Chairmanships of the Foreign
Affairs and Judiciary Committees He is
expected to take the former. If Senator
Culherson goes to the Appropriations an.
Senator OVarman to the Claims Commi.
tee. Senator Rayner would head he lud'.
Ciarv Committee.
Either Senator Johnson. of A,ab'ma
o. Senator Clark, of Arkansas. will he
nominated for the Military Affairs Com
mittc''; Senator Bryan, OF F!o'd1. T,
slated for the Pensions Committee .ul
cllr' Senator Smith, of South Carolina
OF Senator Bankhead. OF A.ahama. 'u-
tie Committee on PostotticeS aud Pc.
K ads
Senator Fletcher. of Florida, is certain
t. become chairman ct The Privileges aud
Elections Committee if he wants il. and
Senator Swanson, of Virginia. head OF
Public Buildings Committee. The char
nanship of the Rules Committee viii
pfobably be filed by some Democratic
parhamentarian not now IN thai body.
Since there will be no Democratic mi
nority in the next Congress, no miuoritv
leader is necessary. This position is he'll
nov By Senator Martin. of Virginia TIL
new Finance Committee chairman will
become the floor leader, but Senator
Martin NAV be pres ed into service IS III.
chairman of the Democratic steering com
mi;tee. This Is an unofficial body. but Il
highly important one.
When the HouS. was reorganiZad at
the beginning OF the SiXiy-second Con
greSs, the fact that most of the committee
heads were Southern Congressman Caus-
ed much comment. The rule of seniority
was applied in that reorganization, and,
if it is applied by the Senate, practically
all of the new Senate chairmen will like.
wise be Southerners.