History of the Thirty-Ninth Congress of the United States

ing in the House - The Senate-chamber as seen from the Gallery - Distinguished Senators - The House of Representatives - Some promi

ection and arrangement of the seats of Senators and Representatives, has its influence upon the legislation of the country. Ever since parties have had an exis

y alluded to in connection with the seats they occupy. Sometimes it happens that, years after a man has gone from Congress, it is convenient and suggestive to refer to him by his old place in the chamber. As an illustration, Mr. Trumbull, in his speech on the veto

ears, and many of them have been re?lected more than once, there are comparatively few changes made at the opening of any Congress. The old members generally

e seats all unoccupied. The Clerk draws at random from a receptacle containing the names of all the members. As the members are called, one by one, they go in and occupy such seats as they may choose. The

States were represented by Senators on the floor, the seats would be more than full. As it was in the Thirty-ninth

ting line. As it was, the Republican Senators occupied not only the eastern half of the chamber, but many of t

ignitary in the land-the Vice-President of the United States. That office, however, has no incumbent, since he who took oath a few months before to perform its duties was called to occupy a higher place, made vacant b

on, Wade, and Fessenden. To the right of the Vice-President's chair, and in the row of seats neares this desk, sits the venerable and learned lawyer, Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland. Just in his rear sits the youthful Sprague, of Rhode Island, to whose right is seen Sherman, of Ohio. To the rear of these Senators, in the outer segment of seats, sits, or perhaps stands, Garrett Davis, of

r's desk as a focus. On the right of the spectator, as he looks from the gallery in front of the Speaker, is the Republican side of the House. But this prosperous organization has grown so rapidly since its birth, ten years ago, that it has overstepped all old and traditional

hburn, of Illinois, the oldest member in continuous service in the House; and to his rear is Henry J. Raymond, of the Times. To the right, and partly in the rear of Mr. Stevens, are a number of noteworthy men: among them are General Schenck, General Garfield, and "Long John" Wentworth, of Chicago. Far around to the right, and much nearer, the Speaker's desk, is seen a man distinguished in civil and military history, who once occupied the Speaker's chair-General Banks, of Massachusetts. In physical contrast with him, sits-in the adjoining desk, a tall, dark, bearded Cal

o distant, the eye of the spectator will weary in the attempt to discov

uld be presented, and how they should be drawn in every case, the various subjects are parceled out among those whose opportunities, interests, or inclinations have led them to give particular attention to the matters committed to their charge. The perfection of legislation on particular subjects depends not more on the wisdom of the entire body of legislators than on the good sense of the c

airmanships. Fitness and special adaptation are supposed to constitute the rule by which choice is made. Many elements, however, enter into the work which are not a part of this philosophy. It is impossible that the presiding officer should know unerringly who is absolutely the fitte

e elements in the work, committees were never better

third day of the session. On the other hand, the size of the House, the large proportion of new and unknown members appearing every term, the number and magnitude of the committees, and the fact that t

to decide upon qualifications of all persons nominated by the Executive to represent the United States in foreign countries, the labors of this committee are arduous and responsible. The chairmanship of this committee was filled by a Senator of most eminent fitness and ability. His l

ssenden was the Senator chosen chairman of this committee. His success in his private business, his appointment, in 1864, as the head of the Treasury Department, and his service in the Senate since 1853 as member of the Finance Committee, and since 18

the Senate, and representing a State having a greater extent of coast and better facilities for commerce than any other inland community in the world, Senator Chandler was eminently suitable as

mployed in manufactures, in proportion to population, of any in the Union. Senator Sprague himself having been educated in the counting-room of a manuf

s of Ohio, Kansas, Mar

members of the Commit

herman at

ok into the organization of the Judiciary Committee appointed by the Senate at the present session, what is it? There is the Senator from Illinois, [Mr. Trumbull], for years Judge of the Supreme Court of that State before he entered this body, who, for ten years and more, has been a faithful, laborious, distinguished member of that committee, and for the last four years its chairman. And there sits my honorable friend from New York [Mr. Harris], for twenty years before he came here known and distinguished among the able jurists and judges of that great State. And there is the honorable Senator from Vermont [Mr. Poland]. He has, it is true, just entered this body, but his

rest, although its duties pertained chiefly to the local concerns of the immediate neighborhood of the capital. Its chairman, Mr. Morrill, of Maine, as well as its members

s Stevens, representat

though of a somewhat miscellaneous character, relate chiefly to devising the ways and means of raising revenue. The fact that the Constitution provides that "all bills for raising

, at the opening of this session, divided among three committees; one retaining the old name and sti

en several years of service on the same committee. While his abilities and habits, as a student and a thinker, well adapted him for the work of conducting his c

he graduated at college-the more especially as these advanced years were not attended with any perceptible abatement of the intellectual vivacity or fire of youth. The evident honesty and patriotism with which he advanced over prostrate theories and policies toward the great ends at which he aimed, secured him multitudes of friends, while these same qualities contributed to make him many enemies. The timid became bold and the resolute were made stronger in seeing the bravery with which he maintained his principles. He had a habit of going straight to t

muel Hooper, a Boston merchant and financier, who, from the outset of his Congressional career, now entering upon the third term, had been on the Committee of Ways and

was appointed chairman

peaker of the House, in

n impressed with the i

mbers of this committe

a, Massachusetts, New

nia, an

its chairman Elihu B. Washburn, of Illinois, who had been in the previous Congress

e to consider subjects of reconstruction and the admission of Southern members; yet the interests confided to it demanded ability,

s this committee one of much importance. The honesty and ability of its chairman, George W. Julian, of Indiana, toge

ssachusetts, and other Representatives of ability, were appointed as members of this committee. Since the duty devolved upon it of ta

he first place was held by James K. Moorhead, tanner's apprentice, and pioneer of cotton manuf

mmittee having John Bidwell, of California, as its chairman, and members chosen

chenck; while membership on the committee was given to a Connecticut colonel, Henry C. Deming; a New Hampshire brigadier-gen

d other men of much ability, were appoin

ere appointed on the

dmen. Of the committee

hairman. Thomas D. Elio

f the Committee

and necessary to our legislation, yet, as they had to do with

d. The resolution by which it should be created, was yet to pass through the ordeal of discuss