The new North-west., 1883-12-14
DRAWING FOR SEATS.
The Usual Circus in the House of Repre-
sentatives.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-After the organi-
ryztion OF the House, the next most important
business preliminary to legislative work Is
the assignment Of seats TO members. There
are good, bad and Indifferent seats In the
House, and member who Ii obliged to take
mp his quarters In some remote part Of the
hall, where be can but imperfectly hear the
proceedings ut the Clerks desk, and Is far
outside the natural sweep of the Speakers
eye, feels himself wronged indeed. Old
members and party leaders tremble lest they
may be Get upon the outer rows, while young
aspirants for fame and distinction hope and
pray that the goddess of chance may give
them fair opportunity to achieve greatness.
The drawing Of seats took good part Of the
time Of the House yesterday afternoon. A
black walnut box containing marbles num-
bered from to 325, was we'll shaken and
placed upon the Clerks desk. Apage, blind
folded, stood before the box. Behind him
on the other hand clerk with the list of
members, numbered, In his hand. The
members retired to the space behind the
desk. The boy drew marble from the box
and handed 1t to Mr.. Smith. He called out
"Number 81" "Mr. Duncan" shouted the
clerk, 81 being the number opposite his
name, and the member from Pennsylvania
walked down the second aisle from the con-
tsr, on the Democratic side, and dropped
into the chair occupied last session by Ram
dali. As fast as the marbles could be taken
from the box, and the numbers and names
called, members picked their seats. When
Randall's turn came, Duncan gave the Dem
ocratic leader his old place, and sought the
nearest vacant chair for himself. Judge
Kelley, before the drawing began, placed his
hat upon the desk that he has occupied for
many years, and this notiee Of pre-emption
was respected. Robinson, Of New Y York, who
10 very deaf, and last session occupied seat
In the front row, also deposited his ponderous
tile upon the desk he wished to occupy, but
the signal was not respected. Robinson,
whose name was last called, had to content
himself with q desk upon the outer row.
Cox, of New York, obtained bis old seat.
to the righ. of Judge Kelley. VIM. Walter
Phelps was one of the lucky ones, getting on
The front row on the Republican side. Gov.
Curtin was not so fortunate; he took his seat
In the rear of the Democratic center. Tulley
was the first of the California members call
ed, and he took his place In the second row
from the front, on the Democratic left.
Rosecrans got a seat in the rear Of the Dem
ocratic center, and Sumner and Henley took
desks not far distant. Budd and Glasscock
were among the last members called, and
the former took rear seat on the Republl-
can side, near the center of the aisle, while
the latter was obliged to plant himself in a
remote chair on the extreme Republican
right. J. Warren Kefer was in very hard
luck; every good seat among his party asso-
ciates was taken before his name was called,
and he had TO take a chair on the back row.
Much amusement was caused as one after
aEother of the Democratic leaders were OBJ
liged to fild places on the Republican side
of the House. Holman, Of Indiana, was ap-
plauded as he marched over and seated him.
self disconsolately at rear desk, among his
political enemies; and the applause was re-
newed when Hewitt, with the air of mar
tyr, seated himself beside Mr.. Dsna's other
pet. Later, Mr.. Holman exchanged for q
good seat On the Democratic side.