rrill, of Vermont. To the
right, across the aisle, is Elihu B. Washburn, 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
Californian--General John Bidwell, a new member of the House. On the
opposite side of the House, among the Democrats, is the seat of John
A. Bingham, who now returns to Congress after an absence of one term,
whom his friends describe as the "best-natured and crossest-looking
man in the House." James Brooks, most plausible and best-natured of
Democrats, notwithstanding the inroads of the Republicans, sturdily
keeps his seat near the main aisle. His seat, however, he is destined
to lose before many months in favor of a contestant, who will occupy
the other side of the chamber.

In looking down upon so large an assemblage, a large part of which is
so distant, the eye of the spectator will weary in the attempt to
discover and recognize individuals, however familiar, amidst the busy
throng.

In preparing for the work of legislation, a matter of more importance
than the arrangement of the seats is the cast of the committees. Most
of the labor of legislative bodies is done by committees. As it is
impossible for any one Congressman to give that minute and particular
attention to all the numerous interests demanding legislation,
essential to a wise determination as to what bills should 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 committees that
deliberate upon them. Much of the efficiency and success of the
legislative acts of Congress will depend upon the structure of the
committees that do the laborious work of preparing business for the
body. Tracing the st