sometimes rose almost to the
sublime." He alone, of all the members of the Pennsylvania Convention,
in 1836, refused to sign the new State Constitution, because it robbed
the negro of his vote. It was a fitting reward that he, in 1866,
should stand in the United States House of Representatives, at the
head of a majority of more than one hundred, declaring that the
oppressed race should enjoy rights so long denied.

The Committee on Banking and Currency had as chairman Theodore M.
Pomeroy, of New York, who had served four years in Congress. Perhaps
its most important member was Samuel 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
Means, of which he still remained a member, the only Representative
retaining connection with the old committee and holding a place in one
of the new offshoots from it.

Hiram Price, of Iowa, was appointed chairman of the Committee on the
Pacific Railroad. The Speaker of the House, in his recent visit to the
Pacific coast, had been impressed with the importance of this work,
and wisely chose as members of this committee Representatives from
Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, Missouri, Kansas,
California, and Oregon.

A committee of much importance to Congress and the country--that of
Commerce--had for its chairman Elihu B. Washburn, of Illinois, who had
been in the previous Congress the oldest member in continuous service,
and hence was styled "Father of the House."

The Committee on Elections subsequently lost some of its importance in
the public estimation by the creation of a special committee to
consider subjects of reconstruction and the admission of Southern
members; yet the interests confided to it demanded ability, which it
had in its chairman, Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, as well as in
the Representatives that constituted its membership.

The legislation relative to our vast unoccupied domain, having to pass
through the Committee on Public Lands, renders this committee one of
much importance. The honesty and ability of its chairman, George W.
Julian, of Indiana, together with his long experience in Congress,
gave to the recommendations of this committee great character and
weight.

Of the Committee on the Judiciary, James F. Wilson, of Iowa, was
appointed for the second time as chairman. George S. Boutwell, of
Massachusetts, and other Represent