The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1893-08-03
When and Why Con yress
has Met in Emergencies.
Has Occurred Ten Times
in the Past.

In view of the coming extra ses-
sion of congress, the reading public
ought to be in just the condition of
mind to render reference to the ten
extra sessions, that have preceded
the present one, both interesting and
Instructive:
The session called by Adams began
on May Is, 1897, or little more
than two months after he went to the
Presidency, and it ended on July 10.
War between the United States and
France appeared imminent. France
expected aid from us against England
in compensation for aid rendered by
her to us in our war a few years
earlier, but Washington's administra-
ton preserved policy of neutrality,
which was followed by Adams. She
issued DEGREES which Disseminated
more or less seriously against our
commerce, and diplomatic relations
between the two countries were broken
off for time. When Bonapart, how
ever, went to the head of affairs as
First Consul, treaty was entered
into which dispersed the war clouds.
Jefferson's first called session was
in 1903, and dealt with the purchase
of the Territory of Louisiana from
France. Jefferson doubted his con-
stitutional right to acquire this Ter
ritory, and the acquisition was op-
posed by his political enemies and by
some of his political friends, but the
4 advantage which would accrue to the
l country overcome his scruples on this
: point. Congress, which represented
the sentiment of the people on this
question, stood by him, and the
y transaction was ratified. We then
paid to France $11, ,250, 900, and as
: sumed the claims of American ship
g owners, estimated to be about SO,
$50, 600 on France for destruction OF
or damage to their vessels few years
earlier BY this purchase we secured
all, or nearley all, of the present states
49, of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri
It, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska
the two Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming
- Idaho, Oregon, Washington, part O
Colorado, as we'll as all of Oklahom
and the Indian Territory.
Jefferson's second extra session
which was in 1907, was due to trouble
!, with England and France, and Con
gress passed the embargo act, whic
. prohibited expectation from our port
either in American or foreign vessels
but this policy hurt us more than
did the two countries it was directe
against, and the act was repealed
1909
q In 1911, when Madison was over tw
years in the Presidecy, Congress W;
called to devise measures to ste
England's attacks on American shil
ping and commerce, which aggre
>. sions had produced decidedly no
nod lyle spirit in this country. The e,
ard ira session started preparations f
the war that was seen to be inevitabl
and in the regular session on Jul
IL, 1912, war was declared by Co
gress. Both in the extra and regul
q sessions Congress showed good de
of vigor and intelligence in dispatc
ing business necessary to put t
country in preparation for the co
Ih' flct
VIII Madison called another extra sc
ble he sion in 1918, to provide addition
sea- ways and means for carrying on t
-"e' war. Congress did its duty fail
Tho. well in this second of Madison
- called sessions also, but in the "
itself, despite some brilliant victor
Sri- on the ocean and few on land,
~ country did not gain much glol
on. However, the aggressions which
any to the war were discontinued aft
you ward, and the relations between
o'ie two countries never neccessitated ;
other called session.
(Here, following in regular ord
itten comes the two extra sessions m
lived toned last week.
inst. The slavery question compel
Pierce, in the latter part of his tel
to summon Congress in special s
te sion On August 21. 1856, the s