The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-03
CALLED SESSIONS.
ELEVEN EXTRA SESSIONS OF CON-
GREsS IN OUR HISTORY.

Events which Made It Necessary to Con-
vene Congress Adams's Proclamation
Issued March rs, 1907.
Webb from Washington writes
There have been thus far in our history
eleven extra sessions of Congress.
THE FIRST CALLED SESSION.
President Washington although be
convened the Senate in special session,
did not find the pres ence of Congress
necessary, but President Adams, on
March 25, 1897, IN consequence of the
threated trouble with France, did call
Congress together by a proclamation
which has been followed as the model
whenever it has since been necessary
to convene Congress in special session.
That proclamation was as follows
''BY THE PRESIDENT.
"a Proclamation /:
WHEREAS, TheConstitution of Amer
lea provides that the President may, on
extraordinary occasions, convene both
Houses of Congress, and whereas, an
extraordinary occasion exists for con
vening Congress, and divers weiRhty
matters claim their consideration, /
have, therefore, thought it necessary to
convene, and do by these presents con-
vene the Congress of the United States
OF America at the City OF Philadelphia,
in the Commonwealth of Philadelphia,
on Monday, the 10th day of May next,
hereby requiring the Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress of the United
States Of America, and every one OF
them, that, laying aside all other mat
tiers and cares, they then and there meet
and assemble in Congress in order to
consult and determine on such measures
az, in their wisdom, shall be deemed
meet for the safety and welfare Of the
United States.
SIN testimony whereof, etc.
"By the President, JOHN ADAMS
Timothy Pickering, Sec'y of State.
The Directory had then possession OF
the French Government. Three militia
ry Directors had been appointed. The
first advance had been made toward a
military despotism. Carnot and other
leaders OF the Royalist councils had been
transported, and, among other acts of
the Directory, had been the expulsion
from France of Charles Cotesworth
Pinckney, Minister of the United States.
President Adams,i in very spirited mes
sage and in equally spirited correspond
Pnce, resented this act, and it was
deemed expedient 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 |
special purpose OF this session was to |
authorize the purchase by the United
States of Louisiana, which had been |
coded, by Spain to France. This pur-
chase was consummated by the United |
Statea on the 8Oth Of April, 1903, for If
teen millions of dollars ($l5 900, 000), i'm
made for the Territories of Mississippi
and Orleans.
THE THIRD CALLED SESSION.
President Jefferson found it necessary
to convene Congress in extra session five
years later. His proclamation was
issued on July 80, 1907, and Congress
m 1t October 26th of that year. The i'm
mediate cause was the aggressions oil
Great Britain and the capture of the
United States war vessel Chesapeake IN
Hampton Roads on June % This seiz-
ure was one of the results of the dispute
with England arising from the capture
and condemnation OF several American
vessels about to enter blockaded ports,
and from the assumption by England Of
the right of search The British Gov
eminent Of the Admiralty Courts reyiv-
ed the maxim of 1855, which assumed
that neutrals in time of war could carry
on no trade which they Lad not been
accustomed to carry on in time of peace.
This neutral trade was, therefore, con-
sidered as destructive TO England's prop
erty, and as a war in disguise. England
adopted at that time temporizing poll
cy, and the war, which then seemed in
evitahle. was postponed. In the debates
at this session of Congress the tail of the
British lion was twisted as it had seldom
been before.
THE FOURTH CALLED SESSION.
The controversy with Great Britain
was not, however, to be ended without
n war, and President Madison, in July,
1911, found it necessary to convene Con
gress in advance Of the usual tine The
Twelfth Congress was convened in spec
ial session on November 4, 1911, Henry
Clay Of Kentucky being Speaker. Wa
with Great Britain was then deemed in
evitable, and President Madison sought
tn have aInnIiea voted in M dor that thf |