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

Adams, Jefferson (twice), Madison
twice), Van Buren, Harrison, Pierce
Lincoln, Hayes 0wice), and Cleveland
making in all twelve extra" sessions
out of the 11S sessions of Congress held
during the century of our existence as
a nation under the Constitution.
The first extra" session of Con-
gress was called by President John
Adams, and convened on Monday, May
10, 1897, and was the first session of
the Fifth Congress.
1t was called on account of the sus-
pension of diplomatic intercourse with
France. on the pretext on the part of
the French Directory, that the Jay
treaty was a violation of our part of
solemn compact in relation to the
French West India possessions. Our
Minister to France. Mr.. Charles G.
Pinckney, had been expelled from
that country by the Directory which
had issued further orders for depreda-
tion on. American commerce more un-
just and injurious than their former
DEGREES.
Mr.. Dayton, of New eJrsey, was
again elected speaker, and, there being
decided Federal majority in each
branch of congress, the presidents rec
concentrations were promptly carried
out several important measures We're
passed, including acts for the organiza-
ton of the militia and providing for a
naval armament, the session closing on
the 10th of July, after fixing Nov. 13 as
the time of meeting of the second ses-
sion.
The next extra" session was the first
session of the Eighth congress, con-
vened by President jefferson on Mon
day. Oct. II, 1903
The Extraordinary occasion" neces-
stating, in the opinion of Mr. Jeffer-
son, an extra session of congress, was
the secret cession of Louisiana by the
King of Spain to France the intendant
| of Louisiana being instructed to make
| the formal delivery precisely as it was
| held by France when ceded to Spain.
In the execution of this mandate the
| intendant proclaimed that New Orleans
| was closed as a place Of deposit for
| merchandise, foreign commerce being
forbidden that port unless carried on
| by Spanish subjects in spanish bot
| toms.
Speaker Macon was reelected with
out opposition, and as both branches
were friendly to the administration by
large majorities, the treaty made by
Monroe, Livingston, and Pinckney was
| promptly ratified by the senate, the
house with equal promptness passing
bill for the execution of the treaty.
During this session the unpopular
! bankruptcy was repealed, and several
| important measures passed, including
acts authorizing the president to take
possession of Louisiana under the treaty
with France concluded, at Paris in the
preceding, April, and an act erecting
Louisiana into two territories, and pro-
viding for the temporary government
thereof"
The attack upon the Chesapeake by
| the Leopard and the seizure of alleged
deserters from the British navy under
the right of search" claimed by Great
Britain, together with unsettled differ
enceS with Spain, induced President
Jefferson to call an extra" session of
the Tenth congress, on Oct 26, 1907.
The earnest recommendation of the
president for the passage of an 'em-
barge act"-the most vigorous legisla-
tion affecting private property ever en-
acted by congress-was promptly con-
Cured in by the senate by a vote OF
% to 6. and by the house by a vote of
50 to A. Other important measures
especially those making liberal appro-
priations for gunboats and for coast
and harbor defenses. and also those re-
lating to the judicial and public land
systems, We're passed during this ses-
sion, which closed April 25, 1908.
IN WAR TIMES.
The next extra" session was called
by President Madison, who convened
| the Twelfth congress on the 4th day OF
November, 1911, to consider questions
growing out of the condition o. foreign
affairs, especially resulting from tht
British orders in council, and the
French edicts, which seriously affected
our commerce. The affair of the Little
Belt was deemed likely to lead to war
the bitter feeling growing out of thu
attack on the Chesapeake not having
subsided. The president earnestly
urged upon congress the duty of put
ting the United States into an armol
and attitude demanded by the crisis
and corresponding with the nationa
spirit and expectations" The wa
spirit of the day was strikingly mani
tested in the elction of Henry Clay, a
speaker, over William w. Bibb, o
Georgia, the peace candidate, by vot
of 70 to 3S. Although Mr.. Clay hat
served three years in the senate, h
was comparatively unknown, the coun
try quite generally confusing tn
speaker elect with Matthew Clay, o
Virginia. 80 much" says SchouleI
"for 81 three years record at this epocl
: in the United States senate, where owl
4 like seniority blinked down impetuou
youth" 1t was during this session "a
| Mr. Clay took the floor in support o
: the senate bill for $4,000 additona
, troops when the defeat of that meas
ure seemed certain, his spirited and elo