History of the Thirty-Ninth Congress of the United States. William Horatio Barnes
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William Horatio Barnes
History of the Thirty-Ninth Congress of the United States
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066146795
Table of Contents
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF THE THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
PREFACE.
The history of the Thirty-Ninth Congress is a sequel to that of the Rebellion. This having been overthrown, it remained for Congress to administer upon its effects. It depended upon the decisions of Congress whether the expected results of our victories should be realized or lost.
Now that the work of the Thirty-Ninth Congress stands forth complete, people naturally desire to know something of the manner in which the rough material was shaped into order, and the workmanship by which the whole was "fitly joined together." It can not be said of this fabric of legislation that it went up without "the sound of the hammer." The rap of the gavel was often heard enforcing order or limiting the length of speeches.
Discussion is the process by which legislation is achieved; hence no history of legislation would be complete without presenting the progress of debate preparatory to the adoption of important measures. The explanation of what our legislators did is found in what they said. Debates, as presented in the following pages, are by necessity much abridged. No attempt has been made to give a summary or synopsis of speeches. That which seemed to be the most striking or characteristic passage in a speech is given, in the words of the orator.
Many things said and done in the Thirty-Ninth Congress, of great importance to the nation, are by necessity omitted. The reader, in forming his opinion of Congressional character and ability, will bear in mind that those who speak most frequently are not always the most useful legislators. Men from whom no quotation is made, and to whom no measure is attributed in the following pages, may be among the foremost in watchfulness for their constituents, and faithfulness to the country.
If it should seem that one subject—the negro question—occupied too much of the time and attention of Congress, it must be borne in mind that this subject was thrust upon Congress and the country by the issue of the Rebellion, and must be definitely and finally settled before the nation can be at rest. "Unsettled questions have no pity on the repose of mankind."
No attempt has been made to present a journal of Congressional proceedings, giving a detail of what was said and done from day to day in the Senate and the House. There was always some great national question under consideration in one or the other House, forming an uninterrupted series of discussions and transactions. To present these in review is to give a history of the Thirty-Ninth Congress, since they distinguish it from all its predecessors, and make it historical.
CHAPTER I.—Opening Scenes.
(Page 13–21.)
Momentous Events of the Vacation—Opening of the Senate—
Mr. Wade—Mr. Sumner—Mr. Wilson—Mr. Harris—Edward
McPherson—As Clerk of the preceding Congress, he calls
the House to order—Interruption of Roll-call by Mr.
Maynard—Remarks by Mr. Brooks—His Colloquy with Mr.
Stevens—Mr. Colfax elected Speaker—His Inaugural
Address—The Test Oath.
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