The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-04-01

Hearings before the Senate Com
mittee on the Judiciary with refer
ence to the Presidents court plan
have served to focus new attention
on the important part Congressional
committees play in the legislative
field of our Government. It is not
too much to say that these commit
tees really draft the laws under
which our people live. Nevertheless,
comparatively few people really ap-
preciate their Importance and have
knowledge of their functions.
All proposed legislation is refer
red to the proper committee. If it
pertains to the courts, it goes to the
judiciary committees of both Houses.
If it pertains to the Navy, it is re-
ferred to the committees on Naval
Affairs and so on. Should the meas
ure introduced be of Importance, the
committees hold hearings, such as
those now in progress on the court
plan, and it is here that the people
register their views. Thus Congress
sion committee are the ears and
eyes of Congress. More important
laws, such as tax bills, etc., are
drafted in committee rooms and
reach the floors of both Houses as
committee bills. Of course, these
bills can be virtually redrafted in
the Senate and in the House in the
course of debate and amendment,
but without previous committee con-
sideration the work of the Congress
would be hopelessly jumbled.
Naturally, members concerned
with particular legislation secure
committee reports, copies of hear
ings and confer with committee
members with regard to issues of
importance. Thus, the committees
are firmly entrenched in the basic
workins of the Congress.
No better evidence of the key
part committees have in the legisla-
tive branch of the Government can
be found than the fact that the
standing and influence of a member
of Congress, wheher he be Sena-
tor or a Representative, is based on
his committee posts. And this stand
ing and influence is gained only
through assignments that are based
on seniority attained through esr-
vice. North Cardinals representation
on committees is today particularly
strong because the members of it's
delegation have seniority attained
through continuous service.
New members of both Houses start
at the bottom of committees. The
seniority rule is never violated. Men
with long years in service and great
prestige in the House have come to
the Senate, but were forced to take
the same rank so far as committees
are concerned, as a new Senator
without previous Congressional ex-
perience. For example, Nathaniel
Macon of North Carolina, who serv-
ed with distinction as Speaker of the
House of Representatives, started
anew when he came to the Senate,
and his previous experience in the
House counted for naught when it
came to committee assignments.
Thus, the seniority rule is one of
the most hallowed Congressional
traditions.
The most treasured post in Con-
gress is committee Craftsmanship,
with it's prestige and power.And this
prestige and power comes only
through continuous service AS re-
suit the committees are composed of
men of experience and who are ably
equipped to exercise the great func-
tons given to them in the orderly
process of drafting and redrafting
laws and in rejecting the will of
the people.