Page:Lincoln's Suspension of Habeas Corpus.djvu/13



CHAPTER II.

THE INACTION OF THE EXTRA SESSION. The President's message was read to the Houses on the afternoon of July 5 at two o'clock. Its contents do not appear to have been made public before that time. Nevertheless, a most important part of the work of the extra session had already been outlined to the Senate by Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts, who had been, in the session of March, 1861, chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia&mdash;the leading committee in time of war. July 4, even before the Senate was fully organized or the standing committees were appointed. Wilson gave notice that he would the next day ask leave to introduce six bills, the titles of which he read. The first bill was entitled, "A bill to ratify and confirm certain acts of the President for the suppression of insurrection and rebellion." The others made provision for drawing out the military strength of the Union. The Senate almost immediately adjourned.