Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHrNGToN, Jan. is.

bribery made agalnst Hon LuHlen Andsr-
son in connection with General Payne
Mr.. Gsnson introduced a resolution di-
recting the Committee on Military Affairs
to inquire into the case of persons confined
in the Old Capitol and Carol Prisons,
whether charges have been brought against
them, why delayed, &c,
Messrs. GRnson, 6,offith, Cox, and Davis,
of Indiana, mentioned cases of illegal
arrests, and insisted that the law should
be carried out by those who are entrusted
with its execution. Soldiers are confined,
some who have lost lirnbs, and they do not
know for what reason they are detained
Mr.. Stevens objected to the form of the
resolution.
The debste was spiritedly continued,
during which Mr.. Kasson insisted that it
was due to the people that investigation
should be made.
Mr.. Garfield advocated the resolution.
He knew of cases where officers, who serv-
ed their country were Imprisoned wish
opt knowing the charges made against
them. The resolution passed. db
A motion to reconsider tie vote by
which the resolution was passed, was
tabled by l35 against 5.
Mr.. Stevens reported the Fertilization
Appropriation Bill, which was made the
special order for Friday.
A resolution was passed directing an
inquiry, by the Ways and Means Com
mittee, into the expediency of making
sorghum free of duty; also a similar reso-
luton as to the expe1ieney Of assessing a
duty on petr oleum according to the quail
ty respectively produced by small and
large dealers,
In the debate to-day on the resolution
concerning arbitrary arrests, Mr.. Cox
favored extending the scope Of the resolu-
ton, and inquiring whether the require
ments of the law were regarded, and
whether the lists of prisoners had been
furnished to the Courts, or the law made a
dead-letter. He mentioned cases of arbi-
trary arrests BY order of the Secretary of
the Treasury, and asked if there was no
remedy. He said he had not submitted
his remarks with any partisan view. The
Law suspending the hsbeas corpus wss
passed by the Republicans, and was theirs;
how he held 10 them to guard against un-
due and irresponsible arrests.
Mr.. Gauson mentioned several other
cases, and said the House should have the
facts in order to legisiste unders tandinglyr
Mr.. Kssson proposed an Investigation.
he thought it was due to the people thst
Congress should examine iltothe extent Of
the power exercised by the Secretary of
War, especially when, as he knew, the
Secretary of War had read an order from
the President, with the remark, "I shsn't
do it, and when he was asked, replied
that he was responsible to the President
alone. He urged the adoption of the res
olution for the reason that by general or
der no information could be obtained from
the War Department excepting from the
Secretary himself or by his order The
Committee should enquire how far his ar
bitrary habits extended. The army may
trenble under his power as dictator, but
Congress has the right to investigate,
where the liberties of the people are con-
cerned.
Mr.. Kasson referred to the exchange of
prisoners, and said the action Of the War
Department demanded investigation.
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, referred to
numerous arrests made by Provost Mar
shals.
Mr.. Garfield desired the continuation OF
the investigation. He referred to the
summary dismissal of officers from the
army, and said cases of abuse had arisen.
He concluded by denouncing several cases
of improper arrests and imprisonment
that came under his knowledge. He did
not say tho War Department was respon-
sible for these abuses, OF knew of them,
but they might be traced TO its subor-
dinates. He made no accusations. The
business of the House was to see that the
laws were respected, and to stand up for
men who had no friends at Court.
The debate was here concluded.
The President has approved the joint
resolution, charging him with the com.
munioation Of the notice to the Govern
ment of Great Britain of the wish Of the
Government of the United States to ter.
minate the Reciprocity Treaty Of 1854.
The House resumed the consideration OF
the Executive, Judicial and Legislative
Appropriation Bill without coming to 8
conclusion.
Adjourned.
SENATE.
Mr., Cowan presented 8 memorial of the
Board of Trade of Philadelphia, asking fol
the postponement of the final action on
the Bankrupt Bill until Northern creditors
have an opportunity to press claims against
citizens of the States in rebellion. This
was referred to the Judiciary Committee
Mr.. Wade presented q letter from Sen
ator Harding, asking to be excused from
further service on the Committee on The
Conduct of the War on account of illness
He was excused.
Mr.. Chandler presented the petition o.
the Board OF Trade of Detroit, asking fol
the passage Of bill to make ship csnsI
around Niagara Falls on the American
side, which was referred to the COMMITTEES
on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. Powell said that some time ago hC
offered a resolution calling for the proceed
ing of commission to investigate certsin
charges against General Payne, of Illinois
while in command at Paducsh. He wish
ed to ask if the Committee on Military
Affairs, to whom the matter was referred
was ready TO report.
Mr.. WiIson-The Committee on Mill
tary Affairs have not yet taken up the
resolution offered by him. We shall prob
ably be able to do so in few days.
Mr.. Powell moved that the Committee
be discharged from further consideration
of the subject.
Mr.. Brown, from the Military Commit
tee, reported bill to repeal an act to pro
vide for the removal of the United State
Arsenal from ST. Louis and the sale of tbs
land on which it Is located. Ordered TO b
printed.
Mr.. Howard, from the Military Com
mittee, reported a resolution, which ws
ordered to be printed, relstive to retslis
ting upon prisoners in our hands, the sam