The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1889-01-01
A BIT nE HISTnRY.


There have been thus far in our history
eleven extra sessions of Congress.
President Washington although he
convened the Senate In special session,
did not find the presence of Congress
necessary, but President Adams, on
March 25, 1907, in consequence Of
the threatened trouble with France,
did call the Congress together
by proclamation which has
been followed us the model whenever 1t
has since been necessary to convene Con
gress in special session. That proclama-
ton was as follows: "By the President
proclamation Whereas, the Constitu-
ton Of America provides that the Presi-
dent may on extraordinary occasions,
convene both Houses Of Congress, and
whereas, an extraordinary occasion exists
for converting Congress and divers
weighty matters claim their considera-
ton, l have, therefore, thought it neces.
sary to convene, and / do, by these
the United States of America,
at the city Of Philadelphia
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
on Monday, the 10Th day of May next,
hereby requiring the Senators and Rep.
States OF America and every one of
them, that, laying aside all other matters
and cares, they then and there meet and
assemble in Congress, in order to con
suit and determine on such measures as,
in their wisdom. shall DO deemed meet
for the safety and welfare of the United
States. In testimony whereof, etc.
JOHN ADAMS.
The Directory had then possession of
the French Government. Three military
directors had been appointed. The first
step had been made toward a military
despotism. Garnet and other leaders of
the Royalist councils had been trans
ported, and among other acts of the Di-
rectory had been the expulsion of Charles
Cotesworth Pinckney, Minister from the
United States, from France, President
Adams, In very spirited message and in
an equally spirited correspondence, re-
scented this act, and it was deemed expe-
dent to convene Congress In extra session
in order that the United States might be
prepared TO maintain its rights. There
was long diplomatic correspondence
upon the subject after which the war
cloud disappeared.
THE SECOND CALLED SESSION.
Congress was convened for the second
time in October. 1902, 'upon the procla.
nation of President jefferson. The spe.
cial purpose of this session was to au.
thorize the purchase by the United States
of Louisiana, which had been coded by
Spain to France. The purchase was con.
summated by the United States on April
30, 1903, for $15,000,000 Immediately
after which provision was made for the
Territories OF Mississippi and Orleans.
THE THIRD CALLED SESSION.
President Jefferson found it necessary
to convene Congress in extra session tiv,
years later. His proclamation was ISSUED
July 80, 1907, and Congress met October
26 of that year. The immediate caus,
was the aggressions of Great Britain anG
the. capture of the United States war yes
sci Chesapeake in Hampton Roads OF
June %. This seizure was one of the re.
suits of the dispute with England arising
from the capture and condemnation o.
several American vessels abou
TO enter blockaded ports, ant
from the assumption by England o
/ the right of search. The British gov
eminent Of the Admiralty Courts revived
the maxim of 1856, which assumed tina
neutrals in time of war could carry Oh
no trade which they had not been accus
toned to carry on in time of peace. Thi
neutral trade was therefore considered a
destructive to England's prosperity ant
as war in disguise. England adopted
at that time q temporizing policy, ant
the war, which then seemed inevitable
was postponed. In the debates at thi
nf thn fat Of rif 81
lion was twisted as it had seldom beer
before.
THE FOURTH CALLED SESSION.
The controversy with Great Britain
was not, however, to be ended without
war, and President Madison, in July
1911, found it necessary to convene Con
gress in advance of the usual time Tn
| Twelfth Congress was convened in spe
| cial session on November 4. 1911, Henri,
Clay of Kentucky being Speaker. Wa
with Great Britain was then deemed in
| evitable, and President Madison sough
to have supplies voted in order that tn
vacancies of the army could be filled anl
| authority secured to recruit additions
| men. He was authorized to call for 20,
| 600 volunteers, and an embargo for siXt,
| days was declared on April 4, 1912, anl
war was declared against England OF
June Is.
THE FIFTH CALLED SESSION.
The continuance of the war made /
necessary for President Madison to con
vene Congress in special session again OF
September 10, 1914, in order that plac,
might be provided for the Government
offices, the British in their invasion hav
ing burned the Capitol and the Fedora
offices. During the year the war ended
THE SIXTH CALLED SESSION.
Many years elapsed before anothe
session was deemed necessary. TIL,
Administrations Of Monroe, John Quinc,
| Adams and Jackson passed without am
deviation from the regular course o
| Congress. But when the panic of 1889
came, President Van Buren, convened
Congress in extra session on the. 4th O.
| September, in order to consider wha
measures could be devised for relief
This was the first session OF the Twenty
fifth Congress, James X. Polk of Ten
nessee, Speaker. The session lasted from
September 8 to October 49, and wa
wholly devoted TO the consideration o.
the financial crisis. One of the chiei
topics was the Sub.treasury system
The banks suspended specie payments
there was universal panic and distress
and the specie circular WINS rescinded By
Congress.
THE SEVENTH CALLED SESSION,
President Harrison found il necessary
on account of financial questions, to con
vene the TwGnty-seventh Congress Ii
! snecinl session Nav 81. 1871 Wis Ii.