Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-27

Congress.
! SENATE, Jan. 19.-Mr. Barnwell of South c
olina, from the COMMITTEES appointed to organ
J. the standing committee for the Senate, repor
! the following es the organization agreed ur
by the committee which was adopted 81
oz FOREIGN AFFAIRS Tvs 81
Messrs. Orr, Yancey, Hunter, Wigfall and Nj
we'll.
i FINANCE.
4 Messrs: Barnwell, Hunter, Davis, Semmes Al
johnson, of Ga.
Mersrs. Clay, Dortch, Oldham, Peyton a,
Baker. f
FOREIGN AFFAIRS. s
| Messrs. Sparrow, Wigfall, Henry, Clay an
Burnett.
NAVAL AFFAIRS.
Messrs. Brown, Maxwell, Simms, Yancey, an
johnson, Of Georgia.
JUDICIARY
Messrs. Hill, Haynes, Phelan, Semmes, an
Caperton.
INDIAN AFFAIRS. s- t.s.,
Messrs. johnson, of Arkansas, Oldham, Clark
Simms and Phelan.
| Posr OFFICE AND POST ROADS.
Messrs. Oldham, Haynes, Mitchell, Baker am
Peyton. ~
@ PUBLIC LANDS.
Messrs. Clark, Baker and Yancey.
PATENTS. M
Messrs. Maxwell, Haynes and Hill.
CLAIMS.
Messrs. Davis, Burnett and Peyton.
f TERRITORIES. sa
Messrs. Wigfall, Brown and Clark.
ACCOUNTS.
Messrs. Mitchell, Dortch and Simms.
PRINTING.
Messrs. Phelan, Hill and Haynes
ENROLMENT AND ENGKossxENT.
Messrs. Dortch, Maxwell and Caperton.
House The Chair laid before the House q
communication from the President, transmitting
the report Of Colonel Imboden with reference to
the atrocities OF Gen. Miiroy in Western Virginia.
in response to q resolution of the House adopted
last week. The message and report we're laid
upon the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Dargan Of Ala, introduced resolution to
prohibit Quartermasters and others from specu
master and Commissary Departments, and order
ed to be printed. r. $50,
Mr.. Clorton, of Alabama, offered joint resolu-
tions relating to the conduct of,the existing war
and the late proclamation of the President of the
United States. These resolutions contemplate
the delivery of officers of the Federal army to
the State Government for trial. They eliclted
some discussion, which was participated in by
Messrs. Chiffon, Lyons, Foote and others. 49,,
Z During the remarks of Mr.. Lyons, Mr.. Perkins.
of Louisiana, stated that the discussion was to
continue he should move that the House esolve
itself into secret session, with a view to have
some facts laid before it which it would be iniu
dicions to submit in public session. He then
moved that the House go into secret session s
upon which motion the ayes and noes wsre called
and resulted ayes "a, noes 40. -
Mr.. Lyons then proceeded with his remarks.
the ground that the Confederate
as the war making power, had no
right to tnrn officers over to State Governments
for trial in State courts. He was in favor of ex-
ecuting these officers. even on the field but let
it be done by the Confederate Government. At
the conclusion of his remarks, the House. on
motion OF Mr.. kennep, OF Louisiana, went into
secret session to consider communication from
the President. 4,..,e 4f.s,,.ffg s,tfs .r,sss
SENATE, Jan. 2O.-Mr. Yancey introduced a
bih to regulate the action of the Secretary of the
Navy. The bill provides that hereafter the Sec
retary of the Navy, in pronouncing an approval
Of sentence of fcourt-martial, shall do it with
out Injurious reflection upon the court and in
terms of respect for that body. 9 ~
{ Mr.. Wigfall introduced aresolution to grant TO
the principal officer of each executive de part
nent, a seat upon the floor of Congress, with a
privilege OF discussing any matters pertaining to
bis Department.. 551 e-egs ssfs ss.alsi !I
Referred to the committee of the Judiciary.
HoUsE.--Mr. Miles, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported a bill to declare what
persons shall be exempted from military duty.
Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi, moved to reconsider
the vote by which the House refused to pass the
resolution authorizing the Committee on Public
Buildings to rent the Exchange HOTEL
The yeas and nays having been ordered on the
motion to reconsider, the motion was loat~ysas,
30; nays, 81 of.... se.f..fe;s l1ass.if7. g.> !
SENATE, jap. 21.-Mr. WigfalI, of Texas, in
trodpced an act to provide for the org anization
ct Engineer Troops, to serve during the war
The bill provides for the selection of the troops,
in such manner as the Secretary of War may di-
rect, from each division: of Infantry in service,
ono company OF Engineer troops, to consist of
one hnndred men each, chosen on account OF
their mechanical skill and physical strength; to
be organized into regments of ten companies
each; two companies to be assigned to each reg
iment as pontooniers, and to be provided with
boats, wagons, &c. pa sgstftss.tgy eiShat, ga
Referred to the COMMITTEES on Military Affairs.
Tne Senate then went into secret session.
HousE.-The question first under consideration
was upon reference to the Military Committee OF
the joint resolution introduced by air. Clopton,
of Alabama, approbatory OF that portion of the
Presidents message in relation to retaliation 2
1oMr. Footes of Tennessee. being entitled to the
floor, proceeded to speak of the policy and effect
of the subject of retaliation. He argued in favor
OF the proposition to turn over, the prisoners ia.
ken by the Confederate armies to the STATE gov
ernments, to be dealt with according to the law
touching persons exciting servile insurrection.-
1t was right and proper. This was not. a was ol
the Gonfedtrate Government and the Lincoln
Government. ltiwas a war between the Confed
crate States and the United States; and It would
not be an act Inconsistent with the usages Of
civilized nations, but would be in accordance
with the laws OF war, to turn over the culprits t,
those against whom their acts had been particu
lariy directed.
But one point he desired especially to notice
lteould not but be apparent to every one how
these measures of retaliation would result-th,
amount of bIoodshed and terrible atrocities t.
which it would lead. Therefore he desired tha
a messenger or messengers, should be sent Il
the Northern Government to propose terms o
honorable peace--to let thtm know what was t,
be expected by a continuance of the war unde
present auspices. This would give heart to tht
great peace party which is now springing up a
the North and daily increasing in strength, es
pecialiy in the Northwestern States, where tn
people are already clamorous for peace. And
the Lincoln Government stall persisted in thei
atrocious course eur action would show tn
world that upon that Government rested all tn
future responsibility. Itwould show that, ifthe
persisted in this GeInoniacal and hellish warfare
that we are MOTTO blame. He was sure, howeve
that these political uprisings in the States of II