The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-14
EXTRA SESSIONS TO DATE
THIS IS THE THIRTEENTH SINCE
THE GOVERNMENT WAS FORMED.
A Short History of Each One Since That Of
President Adams in 1T97-What
They Were Called For.

The extra session OF Congress that has
been called by President Mckinley TO
convene tomorrow Is the thirteenth ex-
ira session that has been called since
the formation OF the government.
The first extra session called was by
President John Adams. TO meet on May
10. 1891, I'm view OF the suspension OF
diplomatic relations with France. It adj
journed on July 10. the same year.
The second session assembled at the
call OF President jefferson. and convened
October II, 1903. being called on account
OF trouble growing out OF the cession of
Louisiana by Spain to France. adjourn
ing March q. 1904.
The next extra session was also called
by Mr.. jefferson. and convened October
%. 1901. having been made necessary by
our disturbance with Great Britain.
The fourth extra session convened I'm
response to a proclamation by President
Madison. on November 4, 1911, the call
having been issued July "a. The meeting
lasted until July 6, 1872. and was also
made necessary by disturbed relations
with Great Britain.
Mr.. Madison called another session 10
convene September 10. lSli the session
lasting until March g. 1915.
President Van Buren, called the sixth
extra session of Congress to convene
September T. 1897. a period OF twenty
three years having elapsed since such ac-
ton had been taken. IL lasted forty
three DAYS. and was called on account
OF the suspension of specie payment and
the generally serious condition Of the
country's finances.
The seventh extra session was convened
by President Harrison on May 81, ISL,
the proclamation having been issued on
the 18th of March as a result of the
threatening condition Of the country's
finances and revenues. This case was
perhaps more analogous TO the present
situation than any other extra session.
on the 2lst OF August. 1886. the eighth
extra session, called by President Pierce.
met on account OF failure in the pre-
vious session to make appropriations for
the army, az a result OF the Kansas trou-
bic. The Wings, who had control of the
House, had put rider" on the army
bill forbiddng the using OF troops to en-
force what was known as the lie Comp
ton constitution. which caused the bill
to fail. The extra session thus called
lasted but nine days and the bill became
a law without the rider
President Lincoln called the ninth ses-
sion 10 meet on July 4. 1861, the cause be-
ing the insurrection in the Southern
States. 1t lasted thrty-four days.
The tenth extra session was called by
President Hayes for October Il. 1871, on
account OF the failure of the previous
session to make appropriations for the
army. The Democrats controlled the
House and the Republicans the Senate.
the latter refusing 10 agree TO rider,
IL, ~. ~ rcfn of
at the polls.
The eleventh session was convened on
March IS 1879. having been called by
President Hayes by reason OF the failure
of the Forty-fift1 Congress to make APP
propriations for the legislative. executive
and judicial departments. as we'll as the
army expenses.
The twelfth extra session was called by
President Cleveland on Monday, August
T. 1893 for the purpose Of repeating the
Sherman purchasing clause and ended
OF Friday. November 81, Of the same year.
Besides the repeal OF the purchasing
clause, n large amount OF other work
was transacted.
In the Senate l.l35 bills and &c Joint
resolutions were introduced. hut only
about a dozen passed.
In the House 1921 bills ana so joint res
olutions were introduced. about 20 Of
them passing.
The approaching extra session may, and
In all probability will. consider several
Important matters including the tariff
measure and the Cuban affair. 4 tariff
bill will undoubtedly pass both Houses.
for with the Vice-President the Republi-
cans Independent Of the silver men. will
have q majority.
The general idea that thirty days no
tice is required to call an extra session
together is erroneous. 1t was the prac-
lice I'm the early days OF the country
when means Of transportation and COM
municatiOn were slow, 10 give a notice
OF two or three months. but the Forty
third Congress vas called on notice Of
but three days. while an extra session
called by President lf3ves assembled on
n notice Of fourteen DAYS, and the call
OF President Mckinley was even less than
that.