The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-09

quent speech saving the bill, the first
instance of a speaker taking part in the
debates of the house. During this ses-
sion many important measures were
passed in harmony with the presidents
recommendations plans of internal rev.
enue were considered, and custom
duties were doubled. Treasury notes
be<ring interest were authorized to the
amount of $4,000 A 6 per cent. loan
of $ll 10000 was granted, so that upon
the declaration of war against Great
Britain by the act of June, 1872, the
government was as fully prepared for
the emergency as possible.
The session terminated July 6, 1872,
the second session being fixed for Nov.
2 following, and the first session of the
Thirteenth congress being set for May
"a, 1918. Henry Clay was reelected
speaker by vote of 50 to 54, represent
ing the administration vote, or major
ity. in the house. He resigned on the
18th of January, 1914, and Langdon
Cheves, of South Carolina, was chosen
as his successor. The opposition to the
war became quite general In the east
ern and middle states, and a new EN-
barge act was passed applying to all
| sack and burning of Washington, the
excuse for which was given out as the
necessary destruction of the Capitol
| building and the government archives.
DAYS OF DEFICIT
In spite of the fact that the second
| session of the Thirteenth congress.
which adjourned April IS, 1914, had fixed
| the commencement of the third session
on the fourth Monday of May, 1914"
| President Madison was compelled to
| convene congress in extra session at q
still earlier day in order to provide for
| treasury deficiencies, as well as to con-
! slider negotiations then on foot with
! Great Britain to decide whether it
! should require arrangements adopted
| to q return of peace or order the more
| effective provisions for the prosecuting
| of war" and by proclamation of Aug.
| the third session was convened Sept.
10. 1874.
1t assembled under peculiar circum-
| stances. The city had been nearly de-
stroyed, and out of the heap of rubbish
| could be seen the blackened walls of
| the capitol, firm enough, however, to be
used for rebuilding. Congress procured
| a temporary shelter and proceeded to
| consider the three great questions
| which embarrassed it: First, large
treasury deficiency; second, disaff 'rtiOE
of the New England states, thirl III"
delicate negotiati, ms with 'ir&at Bit.
ain, which mean: either an n.nura bic
| leace or a E'Or VigOrN"S rUs- GtiOn
of the war. Most of the banks outside
of the New England states had sus-
pended specie payments. Massachu-
ra1 &c
high as 40 per cent. Treasury notes
4 were again resorted to, tax bills were
numerous. including subjects not there
tofore re! orted to, and direct tax wac
laid.
The Hartford convention aggravated
the situation. and though it's full pro-
ceedings have never been published-its
sealed journal, when opened, being
found to contain meagre sketch of
formal proceedings-enough is known
to show that deliberate attempt was
made by representative Federalists to
procure a separation of the states. To
use the illustration of a distinguished
writer, 1.-The Hartford convention, har-
dening into stone, reserves for all ages
sphinX-like mystery"
Fortunately, our quarrel with Great
Britain was brought to an amicable
conclusion through the treaty of Client,
on the day before Christmas. It's last
session closed in an eXuberance OF JOY.
Military operations We're declared sus-
pended; calls for additional troops We're
countermanded; the militia was speedi-
ly discharged, and the State Volunteer
act repealed. Dallas's bank scheme
was postponed, and congress provided
, for the immediate wants of the treas
, ury by temporary loan and new is
: sue of treasury notes, by the acts OF
February "a and March 3, 1915.
VAN BURENS CALL.
= The next extra" session was the first
= session of the TWenty-fifth congress
which was convened on the 4th of Sep
= tember, 1887, by President Van Buren,
The general and almost simultaneous
2 suspension of specie payments in the
: month of May was the occasion of this
Y momentus sussion which closed on the
10th of October. The inevitable explo.
I sion which Jackson. empirical system
/, of finance, commencing with the distri.
! button among the states of the surplus
r had fastened, burst in a moment the
= blown bubble of fictitious prosperity or
$ which trade had painted its image il
L
e and wide" With our debt paid off anC
/ our commerce so happily developed
e that, in place of former specie remit
= tances, American fabrics had fOunt
e their way to the ports of China anC
f South America to purchase return car
:, goes, our merchants had reached tht
h climax of prosperity. American manu-
= facturers had absorbed n large amount
s of capital for the foreign as we'll a
t domestic markets. Railway and cana
f building. which absorbed large sums o.
il money, with the pressing demand fol
= the fruits of agriculture, had stimulat
= ed the growth of new American cite!