The Senate was still controlled by a large Republican majority, though many changes had taken place.
All the senators who had spoken in the previous debate were gone, except Mr.Sumner, who had meanwhile been chosen for his fourth term, and Mr.Wilson, who had been elevated to the Vice-Presidency.
Mr.Howe of Wisconsin, a more radical Republican than Mr.Trumbull, reported from the Judiciary Committee a bill originally proposed by Senator Stevenson of Kentucky, paying the same tribute of respect to Roger Brooke Taney and Salmon Portland Chase.

The bill was passed without debate and with the unanimous consent of the Senate.
Mr.Taney was appointed Chief Justice in 1836, when in his sixtieth year.

He presided over the court until his death in October, 1864, a period of twenty-eight years.

The Dred Scott decision received no respect after Mr.Lincoln became President, and, without reversal by the court, was utterly disregarded.

When Mr.Chase became Chief Justice, colored persons were admitted to practice in the courts of the United States.