members swiftly passed a Third Reconstruction Act to obstruct the President’s course by giving to the general of the army—namely, General Ulysses S. Grant—complete authority over the execution of congressional reconstruction; it also gave full authority to the district commanders, should they choose to fire civil officers; and it allocated over a million and a half dollars to defray expenses. In addition, the House voted its thanks to General Sheridan as well as to the other military commanders in the districts. The President of course promptly vetoed the Third Reconstruction Act, and Congress
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