The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-03-08
The Extra Session,

The New York World says: For the
first time since the eve of the civil war the
Democrats have control of the United
States Senate, having AZ Of its 76 mem
bers, to 33 Republicans and one lndepen-
dent, Mr.. Davis, of Illinois. They .have,
after lapse of almost generation, the
control of both branches Of the National
Legislature. California has not yet cleo.
ted her four Representatives in the Forty
sixth Congress, aud two other seats are va
cant through the death Of Mr.. Alexander
Smith, Rep. and Mr.. Gustave Schleicher
Dem, elected respectively for the Twelfth
District of New Y ork and the Sixth District
of Texas. so that but 2S7 members will as
semble at Washington on the. 18th inst, OF
whor l44 will be majority. The Nation
ais at their recent conference in Washing
ton claimed that some twenty-one or TWEEN
ty-two members wero pledged to act with
them, including such Democrats as Mr..
Ewing, Of Ohio; Mr.. Singleton, Of. Illinois,
who beat National, and the Independent
Democratic members from. Georgia. 1t
will not be long ere they have an opportu-
nifty Of showing how much truth there is in
their claims. The Worlds estimate Of
last December meanwhile may stand De-
mocrats, las; Republicans, 129; Nationals,
10, The question Of pledges or alleged
pledges is not one to be discussed here and
and at present, In case the Clerk should
place the names of the Iowa members
elected in November upon the roll, or omit
those returned 10 October, there would be
a still further reduction of the Republican
minority, Since 1912: there have been
called six extra sessions Of Congress. as
follows:
May "a to August ., 1918, to provide
for the necessities of the war with Eng
land.
September 4 to October l6, 1887, to leg
islate concerning the financial crisis.
May 81 to September Is, lS4l, to con-
slider. in the words of Harrison call, sun
dry important and weighty matters" grow
ing out of the condition of the revenue and
finances. 1t was at this session that Pre-.
sident Tyler broke with his party by veto
ing the Ewing plan for national bank and
the Fiscal Corporation bill
August 2l to August 80, 1856. to pro-
vide the necessary supplies for the army,
the regular appropriation bill having failed
through deadlock of the Democratic Sen
ate and Republican House.
July 20 August 6, 1861, to provide
t,s., On, ~ he
rebel States.
Oct Is to December 3, 1877, to provide
the necessary supplies for the army, the
through a deadlock of the Democratic
House and Republican Senate.
In view Of the indignation expressed by
the Republicans at the action of the Dem
ocratic House in 1877 and 1879 in defeat
ing appropriation bills, it will do no harm
to recall the circumstances affecting the
extra session of 1856. The Republicans
in 1856 controlled the House, the Demo.
Gratis the Senate. The Kansas strife was
then at its highest and hottest, and wheu
the bill came up the Republicans, on the
motion of Congressman John Sherman, Of
Ohio, inserted a prohibition upon the
use of troops in Kansas. The proviso was
changed, after the Senate first rejected the
restriction, so as TO forbid the employment
of Federal troops in aid of the enforce
meut OF any enactment Of the body claim
Jag to be the Territorial Legislature o.
Kansas until such enactment should have
been affirmed and approved by Congress
&c, &c. The struggle between the two
Houses lasted from the 28th of July til
the tune set for adjournment, noon of thu
18th Of August, among the most promin
nent supporters of the Republican restrict
ion being Senators Seward, Fish and Wade
and Congressman Sherman, Colfax, Nor
rill of Vermont, and E. i. Washburne
MIR, Pierce at once summoned Congress
in extra session on three days notice, anC
after brief session the Republicans yield
ed. This was when the Republican turkey
was hatched which Mr.. Foster, of Ohio, de
c!ined few days ago to Swallow witt
ali the feathers on"