The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-11-09
OPPOSITION TO
SPEAKER GILLETT
Left Some Sores Among
Republicans During
Last Session
WESTERNERS TALK OF
NOTHE

Congress May Upset Claim of Seniority
i'm Selecting Committee Chairmen-
Shortage of Democrats for Committee
Positions.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-There is
some talk among Republicans of reviving
the move for the elimination of seniority
promotion to chairmanships of congress
sional committees and for a one-term pol
icy as to the speakership.
independent Republicans of the West
unsuccessful led a fight to break down
the tradition respecting the promotion of
seniors to c~hairmanships at the last ses-
sion. 1t is understood that the same
group will attempt again to accomplish
this. as we'll as elect a new speaker in
place of Speaker Gillett upon the reor-
ganization of the 9th congress.
Speaker Gillett has been none too pop
ular and his election left a great many
sores among the Republicans who had
supported Representative James II.
Mann for speaker at the last session. The
western states have returned a large ma
iority of Republican members. and if the
new members should get behind a new
candidate for speaker the movement to
{ uISDiaCe NTlllbLL NoL1u start Will RiSOis
1t is understood that the senate leaders
who injected their personalities into the
~speakerShip fight are opposed to the dis
placement of Gillett as they hope to have
the next session free from any fractional
differences. With the Republican major
ity so large. however. there is every ind
/ cation that fractional differences will arise
in the special session, and that the first
skirmish will be over the seniority rule
and center around the election of the
speaker.
Republican leaders of the house intend
to bring to the attention of President
elect Harding the .deSirability of placing
in the cabinet men who have had long
experience and special training for pub.
lie office. 1t is understood that they viii
seek the appointment of Representative
John J. Eseh of Wisconsin, joint author
of the h-Cummins transportation act
who was defeated in the primaries, foI
secretary of commerce, a post. which they
say, he is especially fitted TO hold by rea
son of his long Stuly of business ques
tons. Organized labor and the La Fol
Iette faction opposed him because of his
activities in behalf of the transportation
act.
Mr.. Esch is the only chairman of al
important house committee who was de
feated and his place as head of the inter
state commerce committee will be takeI
by Representative Samuel f.. WinslOw O.
Massachusetts.
The Republican landslide eliminated
50 many Democrats that each Democra
in the house viii be appointed to a mum
Eber of committees in order to makeup thu
minority representation. According Il
the latest Republican figures. the Dem
ocrats will nave 100 representatives
There are IL important committees, tn,
ways and means, military affairs. nava
affairs, pOStOfice and post roads. judi
ciary. rivers and harb0rs, foreign affairs
interstate and foreign commerce, ,agricul
ture. appropriations and rules. Member
ship on these under the present rules pre-
cludes membership in the lesser commit
tees. which number 81.
If the custom is followed and six Dem
ocrats are named on each of the IL major
committees. &c Democrats win have beer
accounted for and there will be only g.
for appointment to other committees.
Mrs. Emma Sells Marshall of Topeka
kans.. has received a letter 231a fee
long from her daughter, who is touring