The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-25
BY T.EllLEGRARH
,.s,, 40TRk
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII C0NGRESS-Second Session.

Finance committee to examine the system OF
checks in the Registry office OF the Treasury.
The bill providing Acting Assistant Treas
i urers or depositors. was taken up and passed.
The bill reimbursing Missouri for expenses
4 of the militia, was made a special order for
next Tuesday. A A@t@Ae 2 sss4a5 s1Gi
The resolution in relation to retaliation up
on rebel prisoners for the cruel treatment to
Union prisoners, was taken up.
Mr.. Sumner offered the following as sub
stitute for the resolution before the Senate:
ReSoLUed, That retaliation is harsh always,
even in the simplest cases, and is permitted
only when in the first place, it may reasonably
be expected to effect its object, and when In
the second place 1t is consistent with the
usages OF civilized society, and that in the alb
sence of these considerations it is useless and
barbarous, having no other end than ven
geance, which is forbidden alike TO nations and
! to men. as14s 2slisA 3lii s96i ssa atsa..
Resolved, That the treatment of our officers
and soldiers in rebel prisons is cruel and heart
rending beyond all precedent; that it is shock
ing to morals; that it is an offence against
human nature Itself; that it adds new guilt to
! the great crime OF rebellion, and constitutes an
example from which history will turn with
sorrow and disgust s's e liti sgss
| Resolred, That any attempted imitation OF
/ rebel barbarism in the treatment of prisoners
/ would be plainly impractic tble, on account of
| its inconsistency with the prevailing senti
ments of humanity among US, that would be
injurious at home. for it could not effect the
cruel authors of this revolving conduct we seek
to overcome; that it would be immoral be-
cause 1t proceeded from vengeance a.one; that
it could have no other result than to degrade
| the national character and national name, and
to bring down upon our country the reproba
ton OF history; and that being thus impracti-
cable, useless, immoral and degrading, it must
be rejected as a measure of retaliation, precise
ly as the barbalism of roasting and eating
prisoners is always rejected by all civilized
nations. yiasi aot b agas so + ~
Resoloed, That the United States is filed
with grief and the deepest sympathy for her
cherished citizens who, as officers and soldiers
have become victims of heaven-defying out
RACES, hereby declare their solemn determine
ton to put an end to this great iniquity by
putting an end to the rebellion, of which it is
the natural fruit; that to secure this right to
us and humane contamination, they pledge
anew the best energies and all the resources
of the whole people, and they call upon all to
bear witness that in this necessary war with
barbarism they renounce all vengeance and
every evil example and plant themselves Arm
ly on the sacred landmarks of Christian civili-
cation, under the protection of that God who
is present with every prisoner, enables heroic
souls to suffer for their country. 5
Mr.. Sumner spoke 10 advocation of the
above resolutions, quoting from Gen. Wash
ington, Chancellor Kent, Gen. Halleck, Vat
tel, and other authorities, against inhuman re-
taliation, which he said ncverreached to guilty
parties. 94h
Mr.. Cowan believed retaliation justiaable at
times, but did not approve of the proposition
to fetalate in kipd GU the rebels. 1io rl}
Mr.. Howard maintained that it was for Con-
gress to regulate the treatment of prisoners.
The object of the resolution was not to initiate
the barbarities of the rebels. 1t was simply to
secure human treatment for our prisoners in
rebel hands. h a. .,.sfs.yr vs. No. .-,
Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment to Mr..
Summers proposition striking all after the en-
acting clause, and insert after the preamble,
declaring that our prisoners have been in
humanity treated, &c. A resolution instruc
ting the President to appoint commissioners
to negotiate with the rebel authorities with a
view to devise some practicable plan for the
relief or better treatment of our prisoners In
sheir hands. r fsiia,r .ttfT s5fs3 fs-.'.
Mr. Wilson explained that the above was
the best plan to secure the object of the SEN
ate, which was to secure human treatment for
our prisoners. aasa ssslS
Mr.. Sumner inquired if the rebels had moi
on a former occasion refused to receive such
commissioners as suggested by Mr.. Wilson's
resolution. gsal 3aus - SO 8a3sh
O6VGEdl SpHdlOIS Stdteu. blldb bl0 COllIul6clOu-
ers referred to by Mr.. Sumner we're only au
thorized to visit our prisoners, and had 10
authority to relieve them in any way. 81 +.
Mr.. Wilson said he bad good assurance that
If such commission was appointed it could
accomplish the result desired; he was sure of
it. k .aai g4fsH voss
Mr.. Hendricks argued against retaliation as
opposed to the principles Of Christianity.
The further consideration OF the subject was
- 60.
tors wanted to speak on it. ~
Mr. Wilson introduced bill in addition to
the several acts for enrolling and calling out
the national forces, which was referred to the
Military committee. The bill provides, LIST.
That persons enrolled and liable to be drafted,
nay he accepted as substitutes. I'd, That no
one furnishing a navy substitutes shall be
exempt unless that substitute is brought In
person to the board of enrolment and &C
cepted there. Sd, That any person who know
ingly brings for enlistment convict, or insane
or drunken person, or deserter, or shall de
fraud ia the matter OF bounty shall be liable to
800 fine, and two years Imprisonment. 4th
That any mastering officer who shall muster
such person, shall upon convinction be
dishonorably dismissed from the service. 5tb
That State or local bounties shall hereafter be
paid in instalments, one third at mastering
one third at the middle of the term of service,
and one third at the end Of service, unless
sooner discharged honorably; If killed the
balance to be paid to his widow. 9th, That
every district shall make up by additional
draft or recruiting Its loss from assertions
and discharges on account of physical dis
ability existing before enlistment. It'll, That
all deserters shall be disfranchised forever, in
Guiding all who have deserted heretofore, who
shall not report within sixty days. Adjourn
| ed. DIS la (g q esails3 l.e-
| rrorYcrrs t17sa
The Judiciary committee were instructed
| to inquire if any legislation was necessary for
the better security of travellers on railroads.
The Wavs and Means committee were in
structed to inquire into the expediency of re-
moving the tariff on all materials used in man
ufacturing printing paper. -
The question of privilege raised by Mr..
Brooks yesterday, was then considered. a5gs
Mr. Boutwell, defended Gen. Butler, causing
the report Of the Commission to be read, show
ing that the firm of Smith & Co., from whom
the gold was taken, were active, bitter and
nrepentng rebels, who refused to take the
oath OF allegiance while Butler was In com
mand at New Orleans. 1t appeared from But
ler's letters that he used the money to pay of
troops who had been long without funds
The money was subsequently repaid to him,
and he is ready to Land it over to the War
Department, provided he could be released
from all claims OF Smith. 9e
Mr.. Brooks responded, denying any sympa-
thy with secessiOnists. He referred to the
fact of Gen. Butler voting many times in the
Charleston Convention for JEFF. Davis, and
said if Bntler had been the paid agent Of the
rebels he could not have been more efficient in
desrupting the Democratic | arty, and thus
bringing about the rebellion. That, as the
name of Warren Hastings was stigmatized as
robber in India so the name of Butler woult
hear the association The reason why tbs
Secretary of War would not receive the golt
was because it was illegally taken. Neithel
would the Treasury Department undertake t
indemnify Butler. Nearly three years hav'
passed, but still Butler retains possession 0
the money. Fsns..-- -gts.,fs, ur
After further debate the question Of priv
lepe was withdrawn. Adjourned.