The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-03-30
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TUESDAY MARCH 80. 1871
AN EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS.

!
To-day we publs! The Presidents Proclama.
zion converting tho National Legislature at Wash
ington tho SIS, Of May. The necessity for this
step seems to be imperatiye-gIown out Of the
bad management of the late administration, and
our Foreign tRelaons The causes which exist
for the oali, ard the business 10 be done, are set
forth in the annexed article from the New York
| Express: H.fH N.|
| awe have regretted the necessity which would
lead to a called Session of Congress, and much
as any could regret it, but since the necessity
exists, and imperative one it is, we think there
can be question as 10 its proprIety. 1t is we'll
known all that the appropriations of the last Con
gresa far OK, eoded ihe estimates OF the Secretary
of the Treasury, and that the estimates of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury fell far short Of the proba
bic receipts into the Treasury during the present
ear The specific appropriations of Congress a
mounted to $22, ESQ, 1913, exclusive of the redemp
tion of Treasury Notes, five millions Of which
were authorized to be issued after the 4th of March
to meet the demands upon the Treasury. indie
pendent of the Post Office service, which was
presumed, had the ability of taking of ITSELF
the specific appropriations for the support of the
other branches the public service, amounted 10
$l7, 943, 1878, exclusive of the redemption of all
he issued, and exclusive, also, Of supdry standing
appropriations, such, for example, $500, 900
for arming the militia, and other large sums nclu.
ded in annual charges upon the Treasury Not on
y, then, do The appropriations lar exceed the esti
males and probable receipts ofthe Government for
the present year. but the allowed unpaid demands
upon the Government for all times 10 be met
and cancelled. What these demands are is yet a
m Ito 0f cOn ipcfu but w o TAX
pans 10 make inquiry, and have had the best sour
ces of inforna,ion, have varously estimated them
at from fifteen to forty millions of dollars.
The heads of the several Executive Departments
under The Administration of President Harrison.
entered, as soon as their nominations were confirm
ed, upon tho investigation Of the affairs of each
branch the public affairs They continued thoir
inquiries and researches with zeal and earnestaess,
nigh, and day, and the result of their deliberations
was, unanimous recommendations as have I'M
derstood, that the faith Of the Government could
only be kept by additional smeans to be provided
for by law, and of course, only by an extra session
of Congress.-The question of the Extra Session
was, therefore, based upon the good faith Of the
Government. The credit OF the Government is
at stake,-it liabilities beyond lis means,-its
expenditures than its rece,pis, and to sus
tain obligations which unfortunately for The honor
Of the Government, have been too often impaired,
twas necessary 10 convene Congress anew TO do
that which an old Congress neglected TO do We
panied at the necessity OF, repeat, which is
to he an expensive bill TO the Government, buS we
rejoice that the Executive has moved promptly TO
meet the necessity The duty which devolvej up
on him has been discharged, and The Representa-
tives of the States in Congress assembled are now
20 do theirs. The responsibility of measures pas.
ses from the Executive, where it should not rost,
except in The execution of laws, to the Congress
who the immediate Representatives Of the poo
pie.
The measures which shall come before Congress
at its Extra Session will no doubt be purely OF
public character, and relate first to the finances of
tho country, and secondly to its defences. The
Two questions will embrace every thing which
should be considered. The Qualifications OF the
country are known to be sadly deficient, and the
currency of the country any thing but a uniform
currency There is neither the spirit TO engage in
business with energy, nor the confidence which
must exist IN community before there be pros
peri,y with the people. In extra session of
Congress we are assured of a repeal of the Sub
Treasury Bill, and succeeding that measure, of me-
cessity another in reference to the coectIon
sale-keeping and disbursement of the public money
If Congress should deem it wise 10 fall back upon
the Resolution OF 1916, the measure would be far
preferable to the Sub Treasury Bill and the secu-
rity of the Government would be preferable and
the facilities and conveniences two fold what they
now are; but we look further and trust for tho
Enlistment OF some new measure which shall give
us sound and uniform currency regulate exchange
and otherwise improve the currency now sadly
deranged. The country is embarrassed. By wis
dom and foresight, and the enlightened action
which is guided by spirit OF patriotism, the bur-
dcns resting upon us may he removed. We have
that confidence in tho Executive and his associates
which we know is not misplaced We look to
congress as the great power to which is entrusted
inc interests and welfare of The people. We ask
not ior progressive legislation, but that
may be carried back to those constitutional land