Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-17
xxxvITth Congress So 1st Session.

/
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8. d
SENATE.-Mr. Colamer, from the Post Offic
Committee, reported back the bill to promot
the efficiency ofthe Dead Letter Office. Th
bill provides that all dead letters be returne,
to the writers instead of being DESTROYED
After a long discussion, the bill was postponed
till tomorrow. -f
Mr.. rrumbuli reported from the Judiciar,
committee IN favor OF the resolution to ex
pell Waldo Fl. johnson, of Missouri.
Mr.. Hale introduced bill to punish frauds
on the Treasury. The bill provides that any
persons obtaining money fraudulently shall
be punished by fine, Or Imprisonment to hard
labor for not more than ten years
A communication was received from the
war Department, transmitting the report Of
the Sanitary Committee Referred. :. .
The House resolution in regard to bonded
sugar and coffee, laid over yesterday, was
taken up nd passed. yeas %, nays Is.
The communication from the Secretary Of
State, in regard to The Trent affair, was taken
up.
Mr.. Sumner proceeded to address the Sen
ate. He took the ground that Capl ain
Wilkes was not lrgally justified in searching
the Trent and taking from her the rebel en-
bassado,s, though in making the seizure the
gallant captain was actuated by patriotic mo-
tives, and acted in strict accordance with
British precedents and international law, as
| expounded by the highest British authorities.
Mr.. Sumner contended that the uniform pol
icy OF the United States, as also the States of
Continental Europe, has been opposed to the
pretentions of the British Government, and
have maintained liberal Interpretation of the
rights of neutrals, and that in many solemn
treaties, IN many most important and author!
tative State papers from the foundation of the
Republic to the present time, the American
Government has committed itself fully and
unreservedly 10 the right of a neutral FLAG to
cover civil passages. The question, he con
tlnued, has been argued with the greatest
ability by the most eminent of our states
men, including Jefferson, Madison, Monroe
and other Presidents, and the whole record
OF our diplomacy is luminous with arguments
against such acts as that Of Captain Wilkes.
Mr.. Sumner proceeded to show that we
had protested again and again that naval
captain had no right to constitute himself a
judge of the proof of neutral, and take from
her, at his sole pleasure and discretion, what
he might think was contraband He was
bound, if he suspected her of carrying con-
traband, to carry her into ror: and have the
question decided ny competent courts, but
no court in this country recognizing our Ma
tional and long es lbl.hcd position on the
law Of nations, could have lawfully condemn
ed the Trent or held the captive mn bassadors
in taking them from under the British flag.
Mr.. Sumner he'll that Caps. Wilkes, misled
by British legal authorities, and 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 Siidel stul-
titled itself, abandoned il own principles, and
partially acknowledge the Justice of the posi-
ton so long maintained by the United States
This was political and diplomatic triumph
of the first rank, fer which we are deeply in
depted to the daring and patriotic act of Capt.
Wilkes, and Mr.. Seward
HoUsE.-Mr. Fenton introduced bill pro
yding for the payment of the interest, in Ger
tain cases, on claims against the Government
Mr.. Washburne introduced bill to punish
frauds against the Government.
Mr.. Richardson introduced bill to estab-
lish an arsenal at Springfield
The above bills We're all appropriately re-
ferred .-
The House proceeded to the consideration
of the bill ahoshng the franking privilege.
Mr.. Coliax, in an explanation, said that a
bill for this purpose has on several occasions,
passed the Senate, but had never before re-
ceived favorable action bv the Post Office
Committee ofthc House. 1t was now report
ed UNANIMOUSLY, with one sxcoption. In
England even the Qaeen has to pay her own
postage, and no man has there suggested that
the frankiog privilege be restored. If it
should b. abolished in this country, it will
never be restored and the people wonder that
it had existed so long. 5Fs
Mr.. Duell produced a tabular statement of
Post Office expenditures and deficits under
the law as it row stands. At least 10000
persons, including postmasters whose salaries
do not exceed $500, receive and transmit let
ters and papers free Of postage, in no way
relative to public business. he said that
while it abolishes ranking in one part it re-
stores it in another f. - -..f
Mr.. Valandigham said this was the day of
small reforms, and as the measure now pend
ing was eminently one of the very smallest it
would doubtless meet with favor He read
from rhe Special Committee, Of which he, was
member, the views therein expressed against
the abolition OF the tianking privilege, main
tanning, among other things, that there should
be the freest communication between Con-
gressmen and their constituents, ridiculing
the principle that the Post Office Department
should be self-sustaining and showing that the
increased expenses were owing mainly to the
increase of mail facilities. a.t 49,. b.
94 4e'[t.- WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.
SENATE.-Several petitions were presented
for the emancipation of slaves. .se-, ... 81.
Mr.. Browning introduced bill to provide
for the establishment Of a military post at
Quincy, III.
Mr.. Lane, Of Kansas rose to personal ex-
planation, ard read an article from the n Y.
Herald, saying that the Senate had been en-
gagged in discussing the case of Mr. Lane, and
that be (Lane) desired delay, and had resigned
his place in the Senate Mr. Lane said that
it was not true that he wanted any delay; it
was not true that he had written his resigna-T
ton to the Kansas Legislature; it was rot
true that he had accepted the Brigadier Gen
eralship rendered him. He Eane) had no
feeling against the contestant, Mr. Stanton,
except that which arose from his attempt to
declare his Uanc's) seat vacant four days
after he took it. s ''4 =.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to take up the report
of the Judiciary Committee that Waldo p
Johnson be expelled from the Senate Is
Mr.. Bayard said that the evidence satisfied
him that Mr.. johnson had left the United
States and gone to the Confederate States, and
he (Bayard9 could have no hesitation in Civ
ing his vote to expel him. Il 2niiosl ife h0a
Mr.. Powell said that he should also vote
for Mr. aJohnson's expulsion. ;oe .v
On motion of Mr.. Ten Eyck the resolution
reported back f;om the Judiciary Committee
that Trusten Polk be expelled from the Senate
was taken up. The resolution was adopted
yes S6, nays none. E 1-Ea = NJ b:
l. Mr.. ,Trumbull offered a resolution, which