New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-12
MUST THERE BE An EXTRA SESSION.


MUST THERE BE An EXTRA SESSION!
The possibility that General Harrison will
call an extra session of Congress soon after his
Inauguration is becoming topic OF consider
able interest to the country and Of anxious
discussion among Senators and Representa-
tives. The President-elect recently declined
to make positive engagement to be in Brook
lyn on Decoration Day, remarking that public
necessity might detain him in Washington.
Surprising his meaning to have been that Con-
gress might be in session May 30, it does
not follow that General Harrison is inclined
to call an extra session. Like the rest OF the
country, he perceives that an imperative con-
tingency may arise, but his present feeling on
the subject cannot be deduced from his reply
to the Brooklyn delegation.
Interviews with members Of both houses OF
Congress, fairly representing the general senti-
ment of Republicans in each, ore printed on
another page A large proportion OF these
whose views are quoted either expect or de-
sire an extra session, or both expect and desire
one, while only a small minority neither wish
nor expect one to be called. There seems
therefore, among Republicans in the present
Congress to be a decided preponderance OF be-
lief that an extra session is probable, and per-
haps about an even division Of opinion as to
its desirabiity. Between now and March
conclusive reasons may appear on either side of
the question. The Democrats in the House,
possibly with a definite intention. but more
probably under the fatuous promptings of orig
nal sin, are apparently doing all in their power
to bring on the requisite emergency, but it is
vet too early to conclude that the emergency
is unavoidable.
Since the foundation of the Government Gen.
gress has met only nine times in the first few
months of a new Administration only eight
of these have been extra sessions, properly
speaking, and only seven OF them furnish a
real comparison. The session which began on
March 4, 1869, the day of Grants frst in
auguration, was held under law passed to
thwart the supposed purposes OF President
Johnson, and soon afterward repealed. as was
the session which began two years before on
the same date Following Garfeld's death
General Arthur called Congress together to
settle the Presidential succession. but this is
not parallel case. The seven extra sessions
which supply reasonable analogy were called
as follows: March A, 1889, to set the Gov
eminent in motion May 10, 1877, in response
to French threats; May %, 1900. in connec-
ton with an expected adjustment of our rela-
tions with Great Britain; May "a, 1913, dur
ing the war Of 1912 September 4, 1887, TO
meet the financial crisis; May 81, 1871, to
apply the Wing policy and principles to the
monetary situation, and July A, 1861, to pro-
vide for the defence Of the Union. 1t is
curious fact that the closest analogy is fur
nished by the session of 1871. which was
called by General Harrison's grandfather,
though Congress did not assemble until after
his death. General Garfield seriously con-
sidered the necessity of an extra session TO
pass funding bill, but it was finally avoided.
Every President must determine for himself
whether or not the grave emergency contem-
plated by the Constitution has arisen, and act
accordingly, but the objections to an extra
session at the beginning Of an Administration
are obvious new Executive may reason
ably ask at the outset for as great relief as
possible from the burdens of government, for
time to lay the framework Of his policy and TO
concert measures for the future action of Con-
gress, and to be spared while he can the onset
Of officeseekers. OF the last there will be more
than enough in any case, but in the absence OF
Congressman their constituents are less likely
TO besiege the capital. 1t is possible, and il
Democrats continue in their present course ii
may even become probable, that General Har-
rison will think it his duty to assemble Con-
gress in extra session soon after March A, but
perhaps there is yet time to divert what may
become o necessary evil.
mn