The loss of four still left the Republicans in possession of more than two-thirds of the seats in the Senate.

The House had even a larger proportion of Republican members.

These facts were destined to exert a wide and then unforseen influence upon the legislation of Congress and upon the political affairs of the country.
The House concurred promptly in the amendment which the Senate had made to the resolution providing for a joint committee on the subject of Reconstruction.

It is not often that such solicitude is felt in Congress touching the membership of a committee as was now developed in both branches.

It was foreseen that in an especial degree the fortunes of the Republican party would be in the keeping of the fifteen men who might be chosen.