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.
CONTENTS.
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.
CHAPTER II.—Locations of the Members and Cast of the Committees.
(Page 22-32.)
Importance of surroundings — Members sometimes referred to by their seats — Senator Andrew Johnson — Seating of the Senators — Drawing in the House — The Senate Chamber as seen from the Gallery — Distinguished Senators — The House of Representatives — Some prominent characters — Importance of Committees — Difficulty in their appointment — Important Senate Committees — Committees of the House.
CHAPTER III.—Formation of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction.
(Page 33-49.)