Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-21
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS.

The Intslfigencer says of the extra session
Congress being called together to-day il
extra session by the proclamation of the Pres
ident, a good deal Of speculation is abroad a
to its probable course and duration. and even
rs to the extent of its competency in some
notwithstanding the inquiries whether
either House can take up the army bill at the
point at which it was left at the late session,
or whether it must originate new one, anu
whether any other business can be or is hheiy
to be transacted at this called session.
"There is no doubt that the same appro-
priation bill left unfinished at the late ad-
iournment can be taken up and acted on /;
but an impediment to immediate actlon upon
it appears to be interposed by the rules OF the
House of Representatives as we'll as by the
tventv-6rst Joint rule Of the two Houses,
which is in these words:
After s1x days from the commencement
of second or subsequent session of Congress
all bills, resolutions, or reports which origin
ated in either House, and at the close of the
'next preceding session remained undeter
smined in either House, shall be resumed and
'acted on in the same manner as if an adjourn
'meDt had not taken place %
This rule, We should think, must be sus-
pended if the House desires to take up forth
with the unfinished bill but to avoid delay
or any difficulty about the rule, the House
may prefer ordering new bill to be brought
in by the Committee of w avs and Means.
The two Houses may, if they choose, act
convoked them to "grant supplies for the
amy" and also "to consult and determine
on such measures as the state Of the Union
may seem to require" but these do not, and
the President could not, restrict the deliber-
ations or action of the two Houses to any par
ticular subject. Once convened, they are COM
petent to act on all constitutional subjects Of
legislation
The U,aic8 discusses Fremonts pretensions
o. the original conquerer of California, and
having shown that his interference there wa.
azure set of fllibustering piracy, proceeds t.
establish the following propositions, viz:
1. That the revolution was commenced BY
Ide and the American settlers in California
before the arrival of Fremont.
2. That, on his arrival, he refused to par.
ticipate in the enterprise, but intended to re-
turn Immediately to the United States
3. That when he did consent to act, it was tc
aid in putting down Castro, who had expelled
Micheltorreno and usurped the government
with the probable hope Of securing for himself
the supreme authority, and not for the purpose
OF conquering the country for the United
States.
4. That after Ide had taken Sonoma and
got substantial control Of Upper California
Fremonts party aided them in their work OF
revolution
o. That the thickly settled parts and strong
holds OF the Territory remained to be con.
quered when Commodore Stockton took com
mand, and these were conquered by him and
under his orders, and with no essential assis.
lance from Fremont
Q. That at no time during the conquest was
Colonel Fremont engaged in battle, nor did
ne plan one successful attack, or command in
one.
1t follows that Colonel Fremont is not en-.
titled to the credit claimed for him in the con.
quest Of California, but that the credit is due
TO Ide and the American settlers for its com.
mencement, and to Commodore Stockton tn,
glory of its completion