42nd United States Congress
The 42nd Congress of the United States , made up of the House and Senate , was the legislature of the United States . Its legislative period lasted from March 4, 1871 to March 4, 1873. All members of the House of Representatives and a third of the senators ( Class II ) were elected in the 1870 congressional elections. This resulted in a majority for the Republican Party in both chambers . The only remaining role for the Democratic Party was in the opposition. The Congress met in the American capital Washington, DC President was the Republican Ulysses S. Grant . The United States then consisted of 37 states. The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1860 census .
Important events
- March 4, 1871: beginning of the legislative period of the 42nd Congress
- The Indian wars continue throughout the legislative period . In addition, the reconstruction time continues.
- June 10, 1871: The United States Navy attacks the Han River Forts in Korea.
- October 8-10, 1871: The great Chicago fire destroys large parts of the city. The number of dead is estimated between 200 and 300.
- February 20, 1872: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City opens
- March 1, 1872: Yellowstone National Park opens. It is the world's first national park.
- May 22, 1872: President Grant signs the Amnesty Act of 1872, pardoning all former Confederate soldiers except for about 500 military leaders . They get back all their civil rights, including the right to vote, which they have since been revoked.
- November 5, 1872: US presidential and congressional elections. Grant is re-elected as president. The Republicans defend their majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The main laws
During the session of the 42nd Congress, the following federal laws were passed ( see also: Legislative procedure ):
- April 20, 1871: Civil Rights Act of 1871
- May 20, 1872: General Mining Act of 1872
- May 23, 1872: Amnesty Act of 1872
- June 1, 1872: Practice Conformity Act
- February 12, 1873: Coinage Act of 1873
- March 3, 1873: Timber Culture Act
- March 3, 1873: Comstock Act see Comstock Laws .
Composition according to parties
senate
- Democratic Party: 17
- Republican Party: 54
- Others: 1
- Vacant: 2
Total: 74 at the end of the legislative period
House of Representatives
- Democratic Party: 97
- Republican Party: 141
- Others: 4
- Vacant: 1
Total: 243 at the end of the legislative period
There were also ten congressional delegates who were not entitled to vote
Public officials
senate
House of Representatives
- House Speaker : James G. Blaine (R)
Senate members
The following senators represented their respective states in the 42nd Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives
The following congressmen represented the interests of their respective states in the 42nd Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives who are not entitled to vote:
- Arizona Territory : Richard Cunningham McCormick (D)
- Colorado Territory : Jerome Bunty Chaffee (R)
- Dakota Territory : Moses K. Armstrong (D)
- Idaho Territory : Jacob K. Shafer (D)
- District of Columbia : Norton P. Chipman (R) as of April 21, 1871
- Montana Territory : William H. Clagett (R)
- New Mexico Territory : José Manuel Gallegos (D)
- Utah Territory : William Henry Hooper (D)
- Washington Territory : Selucius Garfielde (R)
- Wyoming Territory : William Theopilus Jones (R)
Web links
- bioguide.congress.gov (by entering 42 under Year OR Congress: you get a list of the members of the 42nd Congress with a link to the official biographies; English)