Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-10
BURNSIDE'S EXPEDITION |
Important arrest at washington
TO BLOW UP THE Al
EXAHDRIA HOSPITAL |
CONGRESSIONAL Proceedings !
SUMMERS GREAT SPEECH /
His Distinguished Auditors {!
STATE FAIR TO BE HELD
AT CLEVELAND.
Last Nights Report.
CONGRESSIONAL.

CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHNeToE, Jan. 9.
HOUSE.
Mr. Duell produced tabular statement o.
Postofice expenditures and deficits under
the Law, as it now stands. At least 20, OOC
persons, including Postmasters, whose sala-
ries do not exceed 5000, receive and
transmit letters and packages free of post
age in no way relative TO public business
BE opposed the bill for the reason that
whileit abolishes franking in one part, II
restored it in another. he claimed for his
substitute at least equality and justice, as II
placed all on an equality.
Vallandigham said this was the day Of
small reforms, and as the day and as the
measure pending was eminently one of the
very smallest, it would doubtless meet with
favor. he read from the Special Committee,
of which he was a member, the views there
in expressed against the abolition of the
/ franking privilege, maintaining among other
things that there should be the freest COM
munication between Oongres5men and their
constituents, repudiating the principle that
the Post-0fiee Department should be self
| 6u9sAALllkg dnA ebOMAuk kuht bAlD AACACa1Eu
expenses were owing mainly to the increase
of mail facilities.
Messrs. Edwards, Conkling and Pomeroy
continued the debate. The last named Of
iered resolution to recommit the bill to
the Postofice Committee, with instructions
to report new bill, embracing the follow
ing principles
1st. AbOlishing the transmission of all
written and printed matter free of postage,
excepting that ordered to be printed by Con-
gress, and
I'd, Such matter shall be stamped "Public
Documents" and on being franked shall
poss through the mail free.
Messrs. Wright and Kellogg Of Illinois,
opposed the bill.
Mr.. Colfax replied to the objections urged
against the pending measure.
Mr.. Hickman said that the abolition of the
tranking privilege was a fsvorite with the
secessionists. If reforms were desired, let
the gentlemen direct their attention to the
millions of dollars squsndered for ships,
horses and provender; to the thefts in general,
of which every member has some knowledge
more or less.
Mr.. Wright moved to lay the whole sub
ject on the table, which was decided in the
negative; 81 to 7s.
SENATE.
Mr.. Hale introduced a bill to punish
frauds on the Treasury. The bill provides
that any persons obtaining money fraudu-
lously, lie punished by fine and imprision-
ment to hard labor, not exceeding ten years.
If any officer of the Government do II, he
shall be discharged and punished, and ever
after held ineligible for any Office. Re-
ferred..
A communication was read from the War
Department, transmitting the report of the
Sanitary Commission. Referred.
The House resolution in regard to bonded
sugar and coffee, laid over yesterday, was
taken up and passed by yeas %, nays IS.
The communication from the Secretary of
State, in regard to the Trent affair, was ia
ken up.
Mr.. Sumner proceeded to address the Sen
ate. he took the ground that Capt Wilkes
was not legally justified In searching the
Trent and taking from her the rebel ambas-
sadors, though in making the seizure the
gallant Captain was setusted by the purest
motives, and acted in strict accordance with
British precedents, and with international
Law as espoused by the highest British au-
thorities.
Mr.. Sumner contended that the uniform
policy of the United States, as well as the
States of Continental Europe, has been op-
posed to the pretentions of the British Gov
ernment, and has maintained a liberal in
depreciation of the rights of neutrals, and
that in many solemn treaties, in many most
important and autheriti7e State papers, from
the foundation of the Republic to the present
time, the American Government has com.
mitted itself fully and unreservedly to the
right of a neutral flag to cover civil passen-
gers.
The question, be continued, has been ar
gued with the greatest ability and thorough
ness by the most eminent of our statesmen.
including Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and
other Presidents, and the whole record Of
our diplomacy Is luminous with arguments
against such acts as that of Capt. Wilkes.
Summer proceeded to show that we had pro-
tested again and again that naval Captain
had no right 70 constitute himself Judge on
the deck of a neutral ship and take from her
at sole pleasure and discretion what he might
think was contraband. He was bound if he
suspected her Of carrying contrahand to car
~ her into port and have the question deci-
ded by competent courts; but no court in
this country, recognizing our national and
long established position on the law of ma
tions, could have lawfully condemned the
Trent or held the captive ambassadors. In
taking them from under the British flag, Mr.
| Sumner held that Capt Wilkes, misled by
British legal authorities and by British law
books, had violated the American principle Of
the right of search, while the British Gov
ernment on the other hand, has by demand
ing the surrender of Mason and Slidell, stul-
tilted its own history, renounced its own
principles, and virtually acknowledged the
Justice of the position 30 long maintained by
the United States. This was political and
diplomatic triumph of the highest value, for
which we are deeply Indebted to the daring
and patriotic act of Capt. Wilkes and the
enlightened statesmsnship of Mr.. Seward.
After Mr.. Sumner had finished, Mr.. Hale
moved to take up the bill providing for 20
mail-clad gun boats
The question being on the amendment to
substitute the President for the Secretary Of
the Navy,
Mr.. Hale spoke in favor of the amend
ment, and asked the Senators if they Op-
posed the COURSE OF the CecrelIy OF Lne
Navy. The Secretary Of the Navy is no
doubt an honest man, but he had msde a
mistake. BE said he (Hale) always seemed
unfortunate in attempts of this kind. If be
attacked small man then it was too small
a business, and then if he went up to the
head of the Department be was too high,
and must not parayEs the public confidence.
We are are spending million and half a