schiller, electing the senate in direct democracy before the 17th amendment. at that time the battle over who would succeed the speaker as was finally dying down and charles graciously agreed to return this year to discuss the history of electing the speaker of the house. he has given today's talk the enticing title, speaker battles then and now, a talk informed by a book co-authored with jeffrey jenkins, fighting for the senate, the house and the rise of party government which i highly, highly recommend. charles a long time friend of the center is a distinguished professor of political science at m.i.t. where he has taught since 1985. he is also a fellow of the american academy of arts and sciences. in addition to the two books i have already mentioned charles is also an author of a wonderful textbook analyzing congress, an editor with garrison nelson of the indispensable two volume committees and the united states congress. thank you very much for being here today with us, charles, and letting us host you. we should have a few minutes for q&a after the prese

schiller, electing the senate 17th amendment -- -- the battle over who would succeed the speaker at the time was finally dying down, and charles graciously agreed to return this year to discuss the history of electing that the speaker of the house he is given today's top, enticing title, speakers battle, then and now. a top informed by a book coauthored with jeffrey jenkins, fighting for the senate, the house and the rise of party government which i highly recommend. now charles a longtime friend of the center is the distinguished professor of political science at mit. where he has taught since 1985. he is also a fellow of the american academy of arts and sciences, and addition to the two books that have already mentioned, charles is also the author of a wonderful textbook analyzing congress. and editor with gareth nelson of the indispensable to volume committees and the united states congress. thank you very much for being with us today charles, and letting us host you. we should have a few minutes for q and a at the end of the presentation. but before you ask a question, please ra