The Portland daily press., 1872-02-10
The New Distribution Of Seats.
FUN IN THE HOUSE.

A Washington correspondent thus describes
the scene in the National House of Representa-
tives on Thursday, when the drawing for seats
took place:
The members all vacated their seats, except
Mr.. Dawes, who, as the oldest member and as
chairman of the Ways and Means Committee,
had been permitted to select his seat in advance
of the drawing. He kept the one he has occu-
pied during the session. The members having
retired beyond the outer row of Seats a page
was blindfolded and drew the names from the
box, one by one, and handed them to the Clerk,
Mr.. Mcpherson, who announced them. The
first name called was that of John S. Bgley, of
Georgia, who selected a seat to the right of Mr.
Dawes, thus BUSTING Mr.. Blair, of Michigan,
who was subsequently compelled to take seat
on the extreme left of the Speaker. Mr.. E. j.
Rice, of Illinois, took Mr.. Lynch's seat, but the
latter was called early enough to get good one
by taking that of his colleague, Mr.. Frye, who
later had choice of the outer row to the left
Mr.. Hooper took the seat in front of Mr.. Dawes
lately occupied by Mr.. Poland and the Yer
mont member was also forced way off to the
left of the Speaker. Mr. Peters exchanged an
obscure seat on the left for prominent one
just across the aisle from Mr.. Dawes Gen
Butler took advantage of an early call to select
the seat he occupied two Congresses ago in a
very prominent position. Brooks and Buffin-
ton of Massachusetts, got their old seats. Mr.
Starkweather, of Connecticut who was one of
the most persistent advocates of the new draw
ing waited in vain for an early call, and was
finally compelled to be content with seat near
the Speakers desk, where he can hardly be
seen. The other Connecticut and New Hamp-
shire members, who were not present at the
last drawing in consequence of their State cleo
tions being held in the spring, Jared well and
got good locations where they can be seen and
heard. Mr.. Dickey also persistent advocate
of a new drawing, is no better off than he was
before, for he is still wandering ON the outer
circle. Mr.. Cox obtained his old seat probably
because he scared members by telling them in
his speech that he had recently been visiting a
small pox patient and advising them not to 90
near his chair Mr.. Farnsworth, who is gener-
ally unfortunate in these drawings, Jared better
on this occasion and had good choice He
moved his quarters from the Democratic to the
Republican side. Messrs. .Ames of Massaehu-
sets, and Bingham, of Ohio, got seats near
their old ones i'll the front row on the Demo-
cratic side. 1t was agreed beforehand that the
Sergeant-at-Arms should select the seats of the
members who were away on the New Orleans
investigating committee; but these gentlemen s
names were called so late that Mr.. Ordway did
not have much choice Mr.. Garfield, chairman
of the Committee on Appropriations, had to
content himself with place in the front row
to the Speakers left. Mr.. Hale, of Maine, is
forced from good seat way off to the rear, and
Mr.. Hoar occupies Mr.. Hale's old seat Mr..
Willard was fortunate to secure seat near the
one he has lately occupied. Mr. Maynard took
possession of the seat which Gen. Banks has
occupied for many years, but the chairman of
Foreign Affairs will have desk put ON one of
the open spaces in the vicinity. Mr.. Brooks, of
New York, Mr.. Sargent and other prominent
members Jared very badly. They were not
called until nearly the last, and of course could
not get good seats. Many of the most earnest
advocates for a new deal are not so well off now
In point OF location as they were before the
drawing, and the disappointed ones would no
doubt like to try it over again. However, there
has been general change all round, and every
body in the House takes the result of this turn
of fortunes wheel in good humor. After the
drawing the House Immediately adjourned, and
members were busy for half an hour afterward
removing their papers from their old desks to
their new -----