The national Republican., 1867-07-02
TIE FORTHCOMING SESSION
OF CONGRESS-.

As the boaI approaches for the meeting
Of Congress inquiry is raised in all quar-
terra, what will il dor viii the session
be long one or short one? It is easier
to ask these questions than to answer
them. We cannot tell anything about
what Congress will do or how long they
will remain together. The impression,
however, seems TO prevail that they will
pass some sort of a dcclaratory resolve or
act explaining and making their meaning
OF the reconstruction law plain, and then
adjourn. We have conversed with quite
u number Of members already here, and
this is about the opinion which they ex.
press. They express themselves, in sort
of general way, that there is no business
beyond that which is the immediate cause
Of their gathering, and say That had not
Mr.. STASBERy's opinion rendered to a large
extent the military reconstruction act nu-
gatory there would not in all probability
have been quorum present on Wednes-
day, July 3. II is true that some Of the
members We have met talk boldly and
sqsarely for impeachment. Just how ex-
tensive this opinion may he we cannot now
ell. Doubtless the report Of the minority
of the Judiciary Committee will have its
influence in determining the action and
course Of some Of the members Of Con.
sress upon this question. This report will,
we understand, be made up in the main
by those two right mp and down square
Radicals, GsoRaE s. boutwell, and THos.
WILLIAMS. These gentlemen are not in
the habit Of conCealing their views. and
for ability to make clear their notions Of
public affairs they have no superiors, and
"rrtainly few equals in the Fortieth Con.
gress.
There will also be report from the
majority of the committee, and this will
no doubt he prepared by the able chair
man Of the committee, Hon. JAMES s.
WILSON, with considerable assistance from
some Of his able associates on the CON-
mittee-such a. WooDBRrDGE, Of Vermont,
and ELDRrDGE, of Wisconsin. The coun.
try may look for two very able documents
reciting the history Of the committees in
vestigation into the official conduct Of the
President; and IL will be seen at once
that two such reports must necessarily
attract considerable attention in Congress.
We know it is said that the whole sub.
iect may be postponed until December.
That remains to be seen. We are not
looking to this question in its partisan
aspects, nor indeed are we intending to
express, in this connection, any opinions
about the question of impeachment as
such. We are only suggesting what to
us appears to be the inevitable influence
of these two reports upon Congress, and
how they may influence the coming ses-
sion of that body in regard TO its dura-
ton.
Now, what We think about this ques-
tion Of q protracted session is. that, as this
impeachment affair With some other ques-
.ions Of vital importance will be likely
to come up, notwithstanding the hot
weather, these things will compel the stay
Of Congress in Washington for some weeks
to come.
We can see no good reason why Con
gressmen should not-when they are paid
for it--wben the public business demands
it, stay in Washington during the hot
season and work as well as other people.
We say, therefore, that whenever the pub
lie exigencies demand it, Congress should
respond, and there should be no shirLing
upon any such pretext as the weather, hot
or cold