ream of legislative enactment still nearer to its
source, it will be found that the work of a committee takes a decided
tinge from the character of its chairman.

It consequently becomes a matter of great interest to the country, at
the opening of each Congress, to know who constitute the committees.
One of the most arduous and responsible duties of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives is the selection of committees and filling
their chairmanships. 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 fittest man for any position, and if he possessed such
superhuman knowledge he would still be trammeled by long-established
rules of precedence and promotion. There is often a regular gradation
by which men arrive at positions which is not in direct ratio to their
fitness for their places.

Notwithstanding all the errors which were unavoidable elements in the
work, committees were never better constituted than those of the
Thirty-ninth Congress.

The Senate being comparatively small in numbers, and, moreover, by
usage, doing most of the details of this business in caucus, the
announcement of the committees in this body was made on Wednesday, the
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 the duty
of appointment devolved upon the Speaker, combined to render the
reading out of committeemen in the latter body impossible before the
following Monday, one week after the assembling of Congress.

Of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Charles Sumner was
appointed chairman. This is a very important committee, being the
direct channel of communication between the State Department and the
Senate. It being the constitutional duty of the Senate to pass upon
all treaties, and 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 literary culture, and attainments as
a scholar, his general legal ability and familiarity with the laws o