Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-12-24
The Thirty-eighth Congress.

AhS Auiiby-ClS nun ~"S
Congress has adjourned over the
holidays, and will meet again on the
9Th Of January. We give the follow
ing summary of the Congressional bu-
siness transacted during the past
week
In the Senate, Mr.. Lane, of Kansas,
introduced a resolution Of inquiry rela-
tive to the treatment by rebels of our
Kansas prisoners. He made state
ment that Captain Brown, OF osceola,
saw, last summer, in one OF the pris-
ons Of the South, seven Kansas SOL
diers in irons, among other soldiers not
in irons and he understood they were
to be put to death, as others had been
The Secretary of War communicated
these facts to the Commissioner OF Ex-
change, but receive, no satisfactory
information. Such had also been the
course pursued by Quantrile and 9th
crs in their raids in the vicinity oil
Kansas. The resolution was adopted.
Carrot Davis, of Kentucky, called
uphis resolutions concerning exchange
of prisoners, and made an onslaught
upon the Administration, denouncing
its policy, and calling it the reign OF
Abraham the First. His speech was
full of professions of hatred for Seces,
sion and Abolitionism, and of bitter
denuciation of the policy of protecting
black soldiers. Reverdy Johnson re
piled, taking ground in favor of pro
tecting all soldiers and of the right
to use all men and all means to save
the country. Mr.. Davis replied that
the President had no power TO raise
men at all, and developed the favorite
Secession doctrine of the helplessness
of the Government (From brie1
report We judge that Mr.. Davis was
in high state of excitement) Mr.
Hale denounced the Kentucky Scna
tors charges as Infamous. The dis
cussion was stopped by referring the
resolutions to the Military Committee
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, introduced 6
Joint resolution authorizing the Presi
dent to give the Government of Grca'
Britain the notice required for the
termination of the reciprocity treaty
of June 5, 1854, and moved its refer
ence to the committee on Ways ant
Means.
Mr.. Wade, of Ohio, moved as al
amendment to refer the resolution t.
the committee on Commerce Adopted
He also introduced joint resolu
ton for the appointment of Commits
sioners to negotiate a new treaty o
reciprocity with Great Britain, 70
the British Provinces of North Ameri
ca, based on true principles of reel
procity. Referred to Committee OF
| Commerce.
In the House resolution wa
adopted instructing the Committee OIL
Military Affairs to inquire into the al
legged inhumanity of the enemy to
wards our wounded taken Oh tn,
field.
Mr.. Grinnell, of Iowa, offered tn,
following, which was agreed to:
WHEREAS, Since the breaking out of the re
bellion, prisoners held by the United State
have been treated, by the rules of war, wit
the most humane consideration; and
WHEREAS, On learning that our soldier
held at Richmond were suffering unto deaf
for food and clothing by the confession {
their captors, in the language Of Foote, of til
rebel Congress, 1.-THE Commissary Generi
having starved the encmy's prisoners, - tn
soldiers and the Soldiers Aid Societies col
tinued to forward food and clothing until TO
hidden by the rebel authorities therefore
| Resoired, That this is a wantOn act of crue
ty unprecedented in modern warfare, at W;
with the humane sentiments of the age, an
merits the protest and execation of til
House, andcan but assign the authors of sue
infamous deeds TO the reprobation of the A
mighty.
On motion of Mr. Wilson, of Iowa
it was
Resolred. That the Committee on Roads an
Canals be instructed to inquire into the expt
diency of constructing a canal around the raj
ids in the Mississippi river, commencing o
Keokuk, Iowa, and that the Committee hav
leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. Kinney, delegate from Utal
offered a resolution, which was nc
agreed to, asking that the COMMITTEE
on Military Affairs be instructed t
inquire into the causes which har
led to the stationing of large stand
ing army among the peaceful and 10y
al people of Utah.
On motion of Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa
it was resolved that the Committe
on Claims be instructed to inquir
into the causes of the delay of the off
GERS of the Pay Master General an
the Second Auditor in the adjustmen
and payment of claims of disabled an
deceased soldiers, and report wha
legislation, if any, is necessary to ia
cilitate such adjustment and payment
Mr.. Price, of Iowa, introduced
resolution, instructing the COMMITTEE
on Roads and Canals to inquire int
the expediency of so constructing an,
charging the Northern canals as ma.
be necessary to connect the Hudson
and Mississippi with the great lakes
and report by bill or otherwise
Mr.. Holman moved to lay it on tn
table. Disagreed to rs to So.
The resolution was then adopted.