Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-07-12
xLth CoNGREss-AdjOurned Session
SENATE-FIRsT DAY.

Congress reassembled at noon on the Sd.
inst and pursuant to the joint resolution OF
March 29th, the roll was Immediately called
in both houses and quorum found to be
present.
In the Senate there were seven more
Senators than were needed for quorum,
and in the House there was an excess Of
thirty seven members over a quorum,
Before the calling Of the roll, Mr.. Sum
ner protested against the constitutionality oi
the resolution under which the session was
convened His point was thatif there had
not been aquorum present the presiding Off
GERS could not adjourn the body Siale de, but
that those present would have the right to
adjourn from day to day, and send for abb
sentees. Mr.. Trumbul replied with a pro-
test against Sumner s protest, and no action
was taken
Immediately after roll call, Mr. Sumner
poured in a volley of bills, petitions and..reso-
lutions on various subjects Mr. Fessenden
objected, and a short debate between the
two ensued, in which Mr. Fessenden declar-
ed his opposition to the introduction Of any
subject not directly connected with recon
struction; while Sumner held it to be the
duty of Congress to act upon everything
that came before it.
A committee was appointed to meet with
similar committee from the House to wait
upon the President but it had made no re-
port up to the time Of adjournment The
reason was the failure of the committee to
find the President at home, he having gone
off to a college commencement seemingly
obliyious of the convening of Congress.
HOUSE
The House opened vigorously The at
tendance of spectators was much larger than
in the Senate, and the interest far greater
Nearly eveTv Republican member was in his
seat, and about adoZen Democrats appeared
on the opposition side. A long debate
sprung up on the question of swearing in
the Kentucky members, and finally it was
agreed to refer the credentials of all of them
save George G. Adams, to the Committee
on Elections, to inquire into their loyalty
and the legality Of their election.
The most important event of the day was
the adoption OF aresolution offered BY Mr..
Eliot Of Mass, confirming the business of
the session exclusively to reconstruction.
The rules were suspended by more than a
two-thirds vote, and it was adopted by ninety
to thirty-six. This strong vote caused some
surprise among the extreme men, for it set
tied the fact Of very short session, say ten
days or two weeks.
A resolution, with Thad Stevens as Chair
man Of Committee of nine, was adopted,
to prepare supplemental reconstruction bill.
In the meantime Senatorial caucus had de-
clded to the same effect, so it is finally set
tied that the session viii be brief and devo-
ted wholly to the reconstruction question.
Both Houses adjourned until Friday.
SECOND DAY-SENATE.
The Senate has decided by large majority
to confine itself entirely to the consideration
ofthe subject of reconstruction, thus defeat
ing the motion of Senator Sumner to do
general business.
HOUSE.
Several members of the House have al
ready left for their homes.
The new Reconstruction Committee of
nine members Of the House are busy perfec.
ting a bill interpreting former acts, and ex-
pect to report on Monday The bill will be
at once considered and passed.
There Is arumor prevalenttha Mr.. Wood
bridge, OF Vermont, who is on the Judiciary