The Committee on Rules, or its majority, constitutes a stone wall against which men break their hearts and ruin their reputations. Let us have less done, but let what is done be an average result of public opinion. The President can do but little to influence legislation. His clubs are personality and patronage. If as persistent as Mr. Roosevelt, he may eventually get an "Administration" measure (like Cuban reciprocity) through, despite opposition. Present Congressional methods make politicans out of men capable, under broader training, of becoming statesmen. But Mr. Roosevelt did not "arrive" by the good will of the machine, but in spite of it. If he attains a second term, it will be against the plans of the machine; but as in Lincoln's second term, politicians may be forced to nominate him, or themselves go down before the storm of public indignation. In the meantime legislators in the House will go on presenting little bills which they know they can never get passed, but printed copies of which can be sent to constituents to make them believe that their representatives are really doing something. The present method has this benefit: it shuts off much of the lobbying which formerly disgraced the anterooms of Congress. [Illustration: Photo by Clinedinst STATUARY HALL ] [Illustration: Photo by Clinedinst From the painting by Emanuel Leutze "WESTWARD HO!" ] [Illustration: Photo by Clinedinst From the painting by Brumidi WASHINGTON DECLINING OVERTURES FROM CORNWALLIS ] [Illustration: Photo by Clinedinst THE SENATE CHAMBER ] [Illustration: SOME PROMINENT SENATORS] 1. Benjamin F. Shively (D.), Ind. Photo, Clinedinst, Wash. 2. Robert M. LaFollette (R), Wis. 3. Elihu Root (R.), N. Y. Photo, Pach Bros., New York 4. Henry Cabot Lodge (R.), Mass. Copyright, Clinedinst, Wash. 5. Nelson W. Aldrich (R.), R. I. Copyright, Clinedinst, Wash. 6. Eugene Hale (R.), Me. 7. Joseph W. Bailey (D.), Texas Copyright, 1909, Harris & Ewing, Wash. 8. Francis G. Newlands (D.), Nev. Photo, Prince, Wash. 9. Charles A. Culberson (D.), Texas [Illustration: Copyright, 1907, by the George R. Lawrence Company, Washington, D. C. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SESSION ] [Illustration: SOME PROMINENT REPRESENTATIVES] 1. John Dalzell (R.), Pa. Copyright, 1909, Harris & Ewing, Wash. 2. William Sulzer (D.), N. Y. Photo, Clinedinst, Wash. 3. Sereno E. Payne (R.), N. Y. Photo, Pach Bros., New York 4. David A. De Armond (D.), Mo. Copyright, 1909, Harris & Ewing, Wash. 5. Joseph G. Cannon (R.), Ill.