The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1864-12-21
Congressional Proceedings.
XXNvuIth CONGREss-~ccond se..iou

SENATE.
Washington, Dee. eO.-Mr Haze presented .
petition Of the Mother supcrintc1icu, Of the SIS ers
OF Charity, stating that by the discipline Of the
order, the Sisters are obliged to wear uniform Of
certsin description manufactured only in France
upon which the duties high tha, they arc
unable to pay them, and asking a reduction Of
these duties. The petition was referred to tho
Committee on Finance
Mr. sherman. from the Committee on Finance,
reported tho House bill To- extend the time allowed
ior III. withdrawal ofcer,ain goods therein named
from The public stores, which was passed.
Mr.. Wilson introduced q bill w. increase the mum.
Yer u cadets st the West Point Military Academy,
and H. raise the standard Of admission " he
II provides that hereafter the President shall mp
point, In addition 20 the number already author-
iged, two cadets from each State, and hny from
persons who have served not less than Que year In
the army No person shLl be admitted who 10
less than seventeen more than twenty years Of
age. The standard Of admission " raised by au
increase OF studios. In which applicants fr admis-
son IN u lie proficient. The bll referred W
&c ltary CJmmitec
Mr. Grimes, from the Naval Committee, intro
duccd n bl W create the office oi Vice-Admiral in
the Navy. I, provides that the vice.Adtnirs shall
be selected from the active list Of Rear -Adrnirals
aud shall he the ranking officer in the 4. T. Navy.
His relative rank with ocers of the army shall be
that Of Llcutcnant-Gencra Hspay shall 10 1900
per annum when at sea, COCO whta shore duty,
ana 1850 when waiting orders.
on motion u Mr.. Grnes the bil was imme-
dstcly considered and passed.
rur uR0rrocrrY TREATY.
M Sumner, from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, reportel the following substitute FOR the
House resolution providing for the termination u
the Reciprocity Treaty Of june 5, 1854, between
| the United States and Great Britain:
Wher,s AZ, It IL provided in the reciprocity Treaty
| concluded at WssAin yton June 9TH 1884 between
tic Uuited Statcs ou one part and the Unite King
dom o' Hroas Britain und Ireland on the utber part
that the treaty shall remain in force ten Years IRON
Tue date at which It shall come into operation, and
further until the expiration Of twelve months aner
either OF the high contracting parties shall give
! ucc 20 the other OF its WISH to terminate
| the ,ane aud whereas 1t appears by proclamA-
ton ~ I c President Of the United States, bearing
date the l6tl of March, 1858, that the Treaty came
| into operation on that day and whereas further,
appoirs that It Ia no longer for the interest OF th
Cned sisios 10 continue the same in forci there
fJie
ResoireL By the Senate and House of Rerresen.
tatves Of the United States Of America. In Congress
assemble, that notice be liyen of the ternnnanou
oi the Reciprocity Treaty, according 10 the provi
SION tseIe'u coutanct for the termination Of the
| same. The President OF the United States In here
10y charge with tho communication ot such notice
/ ~ the Government ct the United Kingdom OF Great
hr tain and Ireland.
On motion OF Mr.. sumner the above was ordered
to be printed
hr. Wlkeson offered a resolution declaring that
whereas our Prisoners in the hands Of tic rebels
bad been iuhumanly treated, badly clothed and
subjected 10 exposure, etc, therefore the Secretary
Of War be instructed to extend = like treatment to
rebel prisoners n our hands.
M. WlkeJon cXplAined that II was not manly
for the purpose of retaliation that he desired tho
pesssge Of the resolution. II had been stated by
rebels that the prisoners turned over TO us IN ex-
change would never b. fl to enter the service
again, while thcli prisoners released from oonhne-
mcnt In the Norm would he fit for service itnme-
dia,ely, lie wnuted the resolution JRssod for tho
puTp Ise Of preventing he rebels hom gaining all
advantA,,e over us IA the field. Referred.
NJ. JohnsIn objected 10 the resolution and II lies
over.
Tie House bin to amend the Revenue law was
referred t. Iho ! IN ninoe COMMITTEES.
Mr. Wilson called up tho joint resolution to free
the wives aud children Of coloroi soldiers.
: M. DAVIS opposed the resolution. lie argued
} that the power proposed to be exercised Sas IN
direct conflict with tho Constitution Of the United
States 1t violated that clause which declared that
private properly should nos 10 taken tor public
USE without compensation
Pending tue discussion on this subject, the Clerk
OF tho House announced Il q nou-conC urrence OF
the House IN tbo scnatc's amendment 10 the bill H.
ebtAbl'lI bureau ui 'reo4mca's affairs CUn-
n.itteo of Conference on tho subject appointed
Adjourned.