on the part of the House. They were: Thaddeus Stevens, Elihu
B. Washburn, Justin S. Morrill, Henry Grider, John A. Bingham, Roscoe
Conkling, George S. Boutwell, Henry T. Blow, and Andrew J. Rogers.

On the twenty-first of December the following gentlemen were announced
as members of the committee on the part of the Senate: William Pitt
Fessenden, James W. Grimes, Ira Harris, Jacob M. Howard, Reverdy
Johnson, and George H. Williams.

Thus, before the adjournment of Congress for the holidays, the Joint
Committee of Fifteen on Reconstruction had been appointed and
empowered to proceed with investigations of the utmost importance to
the country. Hated by the late insurgents of the South, who expected
little leniency at its hands; opposed by politicians at the North, who
viewed it as an obstacle in the way of their designs, and even
misrepresented by the President himself, who stigmatized it as a
"Central Directory," this committee went forward in the discharge of
its important duties, without fear or favor, having a marked influence
upon the doings of Congress and the destinies of the country.

Meanwhile other important measures were enlisting the attention of
Congress, and were proceeding, by the slow but steady steps of
parliamentary progress, to their final consummation.

CHAPTER IV.

SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Duty of Congress to legislate for the District of Columbia
-- Suffrage Bill introduced into the House -- Speech by Mr.
Wilson -- Mr. Boyer -- Mr. Schofield -- Mr. Kelley -- Mr.
Rogers -- Mr. Farnsworth -- Mr. Davis -- Mr. Chanler -- Mr.
Bingham -- Mr. Grinnell -- Mr. Kasson -- Mr. Julian -- Mr.
Thomas -- Mr. Darling -- Mr. Hale's amendment -- Mr. Thayer
-- Mr. Van Horn -- Mr. Clarke -- Mr. Johnson -- Mr.
Boutwell.

Whatever differences of opinion may exist as to the authority of
Congress to legislate for States loyal or disloyal, or for
Territories, there is entire unanimity as to the power and duty of
Congress to enact laws for the District of Columbia. Here there is no
countercurrent of "reserved rights" or "State sovereignty" opposed to
the authority of Congress.

Congress being responsible for the legislation of the District of
Columbia, we naturally look in that direction for an exhibition in
miniature of the policy of the national legislature on questions
relating to the interests of the nation at large. If slavery
flourished and the sla