Captain Kelso Goes to Congress

Abstract

The Thirty-Ninth Congress was one of the most eventful in U.S. history. Despite obstruction from President Andrew Johnson, it passed the Civil Rights Bill of 1866, the First Reconstruction Act of 1867, and the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Kelso voted with the Radical Republican majority, outlining his position in a House speech, and he also proposed his own constitutional amendments. The first session was marred, though, by the challenge to his seat by his opponent Boyd, who disputed the results of the election. Kelso’s political reputation back in his district, too, was damaged by his intemperate public letter denouncing Boyd and announcing early for the next election.