Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-12-21
Up GelsgrapB.
FOR Afternoon Report see ISt Paso,
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHHsToS, Dec. 20, 1864.
SENATE.

SLOfest which was pA5seus
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to increase
the number OF cadets at the West Point
Military Academy. 1t provides that here
after the President shall appoint, in addi-
tiOn4o the number already authorized, two
cadets from each State, and i've from per-
sons who have served not less than one
year in the army. No person shall be ad
mitted who is less than seventeen or more
than twenty years Of age. The standard
OF admission is raised by an increase OF
studies in which applicants for admission
must be proficient. The bill was referred
to the Military Committee.
Mr.. Grimes, from the Naval Commit
tee, introduced bill TO create the office Of
Vice Admiral in the Navy. II provides
that the Vice Admiral shall be selected
from the active list Of Rear AdmirRls, aud
shall be the ranking officer OF the U. s.
Navy. His relative rank with officers Of
the army shall be that of Lieutenant Gen
eral, his pay shall be 1000 when at sea,
Sc, 900 when on shore duty, and $4,000
when waiting orders.
On motion OF Mr.. Grimes, the bill was
Immediately considered and passed.
Mr.. Harlan introduced q resolution in
structing the Committee on the District of
Columbia to inquire into the exPediency
of requiring all residents of the District of
Columbia to take an oath of allegiance
and fidelity to the governmental Of the United
States, similar to the oath required by law
of Senators and congressman, and other
officers of the government, and 70 prohibit
all persons from doing business in said
district who shall not take said oath. The
resolution was passed
Mr.. Sumner, from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, reported the following
substitute for the House resolution proyi-
ding for the termination of the reciprocity
treaty OF June 9th, 1854, between the q. 8.
and Great Britain:
Whereas, it is provided 10 theTeciProcity
treaty concluded at Washington, June
9th, 1854, between the United States, Of
the one part, and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland of the other
part, that treaty shall remain in force ten
years from the date at which 1t shall come
| into operation, and further, until the expi-
ration of twelve months after either of the
contracting parties shall give notice to the
other of its wish to terminate the treaty;
and whereas. it appears by proclamation
of the President OF the United States, bear
ing date the 18th of March, 1855, that the
treaty came into operation on that day, and
when further it appears that it is no longer
| for the interest of the United States to con-
tinue the came in force, therefore,
| Resolved by the Senate aud House Of
REPRESENTATIVES of the United States of
American Congress assembled, That notice
be given of the termination of the reciprO-
city treaty, according to the provision
therein contained for the termination Of
the same. The President of the United
States is hereby charged with the commit.
meut of such motion TO the government OF
the United Kingdom OF Great Britain and
Ireland.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner the above was
ordered to be printed.
Mr.. wilkinson offered resolution de-
clariDg that
Whereas, our prisoners in the hands of
the rebels have been inhumanely treated,
badly clothed aud subjected to exposure,
&C, therefore the Secretary of War be in
str1cted to extend a like treatment to the
prisoners in our hands.
Mr. Wilkinson explained that it was not
mai My for the purpose of retaliation that
he desired the passage of the resolution
II had been stated by rebels that the Pris.
oners turned over to Us in exchange would
never be fit TO enter the service again,
while their prisoners released from con.
| inemenL in the North would be fit for serV-
ice Immediately. He wanted the resoIu-
ton passed for the purpose of preventing
the rebels from gaining an advantage over
us in the field.
Mr. johnson objected to the resolution
and it lies over.
MIR. Powell desired to call up the resO-
luton asking for information as to the
cause of the arrest of Lit. Gov. Jacobs and
Col. WOOlfOrd.
Mr.. Powell addressed the Senate on the
subject Of Gov. Jacobs, who had been
spirited away he knew not where aud
1 T-lE II T. snIasn
| XIV. He thought the Senate owed IL to
itself TO call for investigation as 70 what
offence there had been committed
Mr.. Wilson was opposed to the calling
I'D the resolution. There was a bill of far
more Importance which he wished acted
upon a bill to free the wives and children
of colored soldiers.
Mr.. Grimes hoped that the Senate would
call for the information as requested by the
Senator from KY. He had no doubt but
that the information would completely vim
dictate the President and his Cabinet from
auv charges made by the Senator from
arms folded aud hear the representative Oi
Kentucky in the Senate talk of such a Vio-
lAtion of personal liberty.
Messrs. Davis, Johnson, Howe and Hen
derson took part in this discussion. After
which a vote was taken and the Senate
took up the resolution.
Mr.. Wilson moved 70 amend by inserting
"If not incompatible with the public In
terest." The amendment was adopted anC
the resolution as amended was afterWard
passed.
; The House bill to amend the reVeuu,
: law was rafeFfed 70 the finance committee
The President, pro TEN, announced tina
{ Mr.. Dixon would be Chairman of the Com
mittee on the District OF Columbia, vic
- Bale, resigned, and that Mr.. Hale Woul,
supply the place of Mr.. FOOte of the in
z dietary Committee.
Mr.. Wilson called up the joint resoiu
ton for the freedom Of the wives and chill
dren of colored soldiers.
z Mr.. Davis opposed the resolution. Pen
b liz. aka ai.nn.ainn m hi. .nhi.ct III