Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-12-10
WAsprNGroS, Dec. 2.

| the House communication from the
Secretary of War. in answer to resolu-
ton calling for information In relation 10
the sale OF eolored frcemen captured by
the rebels, dc. The reply of Secre-
tary Stanton states that no information
on the subject is i'll possession of the War
Department
Mr.. Sherman presented petition IN
favor Of a general bankrupt act.
Mr.. DAVIS presented two petitions pro
testing against the action of the advisory
board OF the Navy.
Sumner, from Committee OH Foreign
relations, reported bill for the relief Of
the owners OF the French vessels Jules
and Marie.
Mr.. Anthony, from the Committee on
printing, reported bill to increase the
bonds OF the Superintendent of Print
ing.
Hale introduced bill to abolish the
grade Of Medical officers i'll the service
OF the United States.
the resolution offered by Mr.. Sauls-
bury, relative to arbitrary arrests Of
citizens of Delaware, was taken NJ.
Mr, Hale said the Senator from Della
ware, Bayari) yesterday referred TO a
proper division OF power as bei:g the
hope of free Government, and he,
Hale, was not willing to see the senate
interfere with other Departments. If
any citizen Of Delaware had been arros-
ted, the Courts were still open. lie be
l!eFcd the writ Of habeas corpls was
lot dead ,e:. He acknowledged that
this WAS an cmbarras ing question.
Mr.. Bavarl said there was no such III
vision OF Government power; the .lndirla-
~ was ALWAYS the weakest. The Presi-
dent has asserted the right to stspenl
the writ Of hobeus corpus and he thought
it proper for the Senate to inquire into
the matter.
Mr. Wilson, Of Mas 7achusetts- sail.
doubtless everybody regretted he ne-
ce~-ty Of making these arrests in this
county; the President regretted i as
much rs anybody. lie did not. ihine
any loyal man could charge the prcai-
dent with wantonlv Violating the right
Of cit zens. For Il long time 'cadin Y
altors sat here, but no arrest: were
made. When they we're comm encnd
they We're necessary, and the first arrest
VA, FOR selling gun caps 10 the enemy.
He for one, Thanked the PreS!l,H for
making those arrests. 1t was Il power
tu means .. preserving the Cover nmcnt
4. lt
advisors would not shrink from ar resting
any man who shows probable c aust uI
beng IN league with the rebels. There
ncscr was /, bcElion where 30 much con
sileration had been shown, anc - much
humanity FIR traitors.
Mr.. Saulshury did not doubt thcie
were arrests made which were iustiiia-
bic, but these men Were citizens o. Della
ware, whose LOYALTY had never been ques-
toned. The motion to lay on tho table
was disagreed to by vote Of three yeas
aud 10 nays.
Mr. Field said he should vote ;.eainst
the resolution. lic was Of the opinion
that the President had the right ID sus-
pend the writ Of hrLeos corpus. The
trainers Of the G institution eyidcntl pro
yidcd that the hnbeos co.'pas mi ght be
suspended in times Of Instruction nd IN
yasion, and he thought it was clca lv an
executive act lie was Of the opinion
tIt,t i. any complaint was TO be made,
it was tat the Government had been
too lenlcnt to traitors.
Mr. Hayard continued at some ength,
saying the power to suspend the writ oi
habcds corpus was not Hi cxecuti &c act.
If this was admitted, and Tie Lcgi ,ativc
power had no righ. to inquire,
then the President might imprison men
or torture them, or do as he pleased
with them.
Mr.. Sherman favored the adoption of
all these resolutions Of inquiry which
were offered in good faith. lie believe!
the right to suspend the writ Of habels
corpus was purely legislative power,anl
it could only be done hv Congress, but
since the legislation Of the last Congress
the President has had the power give
to him. lie thought many Of these ar
rests were great mistakes, and every ar
rest ought to tc reported to Congress,
and the rcasors for il. If this power
was undenied, government would become
oppressive. The people have been cyas-
perated at the manner Of these arrests,
and dis harges, and ii was due to the
country and Justice, that no man should
be arrested for light charges and the cause
and charges should be properly cx-
PLANET, and Congress had a perfect
right TO call for all information that they
may 90 before the people and be able to
explain and defend these arrests.
Mr.. Trumblc did not think so, and said |
1t is not from any sympathy with
traitors that there is great feeling upon
this subject, but because it is feared this
il an exercise Of an unnecessary and ar
bitrary power, and he would saw to hi,
friend, Mr. Wilson, who gloried in these
arrests, that there was very great danger
in them. Ther is bill now here from
the House, relative to this very subject,
and he was in favor Of acting upon that
as practical measure.
Mr.. Powell said the President had no
right to make these arrests, or to suspend
the writ Of habeas corpus. and his doing
50 was usnrpatlon. Mr.. Powell conten
ded the people had decided that these
arrests should cease the recent elections
showed this.
Mr.. Wilson claimed that no such ques-
ton was settled by the elections. The
only thing settled was that the Repnb-
ican party could not raise men enough