Mr. Fairbank's influence in the City of Washington will long be remembered as one of the pleasant memories of the Capital. At church functions, at philanthropic or patriotic conventions, Vice-President Fairbanks found time in his overcrowded life to preside. In social life Mrs. Fairbanks was the idol of the D. A. R. women. Her hospitable home was ever open for receptions, fetes and parties, and not in this generation will Washington see a family so universally beloved and so universally regretted. James Schoolcraft Sherman, Republican of Utica, N. Y., took the oath of office as Vice-President, March 4, 1909. He had been a member of Congress for twenty years, and ranked as one of the five leading members of the House of Representatives. His ability as a presiding officer is recognized in both branches of Congress. The Cabinet called together by President Taft is composed largely of new men at Washington. Mr. Philander Chase Knox, of Pennsylvania, takes up the duties of the State Department so ably filled by John Hay, Elihu Root, and Mr. Taft, with large knowledge of state affairs. Mr. Franklin McVeagh, of Chicago, an able business man, takes charge of the Treasury Department at a time when there is a deficiency in the Treasury, and with a new tariff law to enforce. Mr. Jacob McGavock Dickinson, like Mr. McVeagh, is a Democrat from Chicago. As Secretary of War he will need all his great acumen in managing the affairs of the nation from the Panama Zone to the Philippine Islands. Mr. George Woodward Wickersham, of New York, as Attorney-General is a lawyer of high personal and professional qualifications. Mr. George von Lengerke Meyer was transferred by President Taft from the Post-office Department, whose service he greatly improved, to the Secretaryship of the Navy. Mr. Frank Harris Hitchcock, the new Postmaster-General, has had long experience in postal affairs. Mr. Charles Nagel, of St. Louis, Mo., has had a business experience which will fit him for his arduous duties as Secretary of Labor and Commerce. Hon. James Wilson has been reappointed by President Taft as Secretary of Agriculture, a position he has held for twelve years. Mr. Richard Achilles Ballinger, the new Secretary of the Interior, of Seattle, Wash., is of the New West. He has met a warm welcome at Washington. VIII THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE Hall of Representatives is in the south wing of the Capitol, and is similar in form and design to the Senate Chamber, being semicircular, with a gallery of twelve hundred seating capacity extending around the entire hall. Like the Senate, the walls are white, buff, and gold, and the ceiling panels of glass, each showing in connection with a State coat of arms the cotton plant in some stage of development. The Speaker of the House sits at a desk of pure white marble, and in front of him are several desks for the Secretary and his many assistants.