The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-05

The First Dav In C0nGress.
The proceedings Of the first day Of the
second session of the Fortieth Congress
will probably be Congress of three or four
sessions more before 1t is ended-have q de-
cided smack of "short sharp and decisive"
work. First, quorum was present in both
houses, when joint committee was appointed
to wait upon the President and inform him
that the two houses were in session and pre-
have to make. Mr.. johnson, however, had
nothing to say for the present, which was pro-
cisely the case at the opening Of the last
session. The two houses, in fact, have so
cavaliery treated the constitutional ohop-logic
Of his regular December messages that he has
evidently resolved to pay them back, as far as
possible, with silent contempt. But he is not
to he allowed the luxury even of keeping
still; for before its adjournment the Senate
adopted a resolution calling upon him specii-
cally for information in reference to his en-
forcement of the reconstruction laws during
the late recess, while, by q resolution of the
House, he is requested to "transmit all the
oficial correspondence between the Depart
ment' Of State and Lewis D. Campbell, late
Minister to Mexico, and the correspondence
with bis successor"
Upon these two very important subjects,
charlottesville reconstruction and the Mexican
business-we may expect soon to have all the
material facts and papers; and If so, it will
make very little difference whether Mr. John
son vouchsafes or declines any explanation or
vindicaton. So far as he Is concerned the
two houses have only to say, with Gradgrind,
"Facts is what we want"
In tho noxt place, wo ind that Mr.. Sumner
in the Senate and Mr.. Stevens were promptly
and decisiyely snubbed in the adoption of a
resolution in the House, in pursuance of a re-
publican caucus, providing that the general
business of this session be limited to an ex-
plauatory reconstruction bill, and that all
other matters of general legislation be laid
upon the table. This does not touch the i'm
parchment question; but it is probable, in the
event of any sharp conflict upon this issue,
that 1t will be referred to an extra session
in the cooler month of October. Such is
understood to be the wish of the majority
Of the republicans on the House Judiciary Com
mittee having this business in charge. It is
enough, however, that the practical business
republicans of both houses have the power in
their hands, and that the extreme projects of
visionary fanatics and implacable radicals are
not in the adopted programme of this session.
Nevertheless, from the number of reconstruo-
ton bills and ideas already submitted, we infer
that it will require at least three weeks to bring
the two houses to satisfactory measure over
the Executive veto.
Next, from the reference of the credentials of
the whole Kentucky delegation of the House,
on the general charge Of disloyalty excepting
G ,orge N. Adams, Union soldier in the war;,
1t may be safely assumed that the unrecon.
structed rebels and their State rights asso-
ciates, who make up the ruling power in Ken |
lucky, will be subjected to o thorough over
hauling and 1t Is not unlikely that the major |
ity, at least, of their chosen representatives to
Congress will be ruled out. The constitution
says that "each house shall be the Judge OF
the elections, returns and qualifications of its
own members;" and in exercising this full
authority In regard to these accused gentle.
men from Kentucky It Is minated that an
example will be made for the instruc ton OF all
the other unreconstructed States when they
shall come to the task Of electing their repre-
sentatives for Congress. We conclude, from
all these developments Of the opening day Of
the present session, that excepting some Incl
dental questions and measures, the legislative
work Of this session will be limited to an ex-
planatory reconstruction bill, and that the bill
adopted will be so clear and unquestionable in |
Its specifications as to relieve the President Of
any further necessity Of calling upon his |
Attorney General to expound the law.
Lastly, from petition submitted In the |
House from the Fourth Congressional district |
of Connecticut, charging W. II. Barnum, the |
iron man, member elect thereof, with bribery |
and corruption, and from the reference of This |
petition to the Committee on Elections, with |
power to send for persons and papers, we
guess that the defeated P. T. Barnum, the show
man, Is behind the scenes, and has been
making some discoveries which he expects will
the woolly horse and carry him in
triumph to Washington.
Il