American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2

constitutional amendment (; for the
exchange of prisoners the abolition
of duty on imported paper, and the
increase of pay of army officers and
clerks in the government service.
Mr.. Wade moved that the Senate
take up the resolution advising retail
iation for cruel treatment of our Off
GERS and soldiers.
Mr. Sumner-Oh, | would not take
that up now.
Mr.. Wade-You would ifyou were
a prisoner.
The resolution was taken up.
Mr.. Hendricks stated that he un-
derstood Mr.. johnson wished to de-
bate this resolution, and hoped its
further consideration would be post
poned until to-morew.
Mr.. Wade.-If the Senator from
Maryland wishes to debate this sub
ject, (and yet Ifecl that, if the gen
tleman who wish it were in the con-
dition of many of our prisoners, they
would not feel like listening to very
long speeches on the subject 1 will
let it stand over until tomorrow, but
with the understanding that | shall
press it at the earliest possible op-
portunity.
Mr.. Hendrick replied to Mr.. Wade,
saying that the Senator from Ohio.
had seen fit to say if he were in the
condition of some of our prisoners,
he would not feel like dabating the
question that he Hendricks did
not feel that sympathy for prisoners
he ought. He had brother togeth-
or with several relations in South
ern prisons. No Senator could
make him more sensitive than he
was. He did not think the resolu.
tion was the best way to secure the
release of our prisoners, but thought
a general exchange ought to be eff
fccted, and believed it could be effec.
ted if the party in power would make
the effort.
Mr.. Wade said he did not fee
now like agreeing to postponement
inasmuch as the Senator from Indi
ana had made all the speech that
could be made on the subjec. Re
taliation had been successful before
during the war. The rebels had pla
ced our men under fire of our bat.
tcries, and they were compelled tc
desist when we retaliated by expos.
ing their men in a similar way.
Mr.. Clark offered the following,
which was ordered to be printed and
laid upon the table for the present.:
Resotred, By the Senate and House
of Representative in Congress as
semblcd, that no negotiation, terms
of settlement or concession, or com.
promise be entered into, proposed
yielded or made with the rebels di
rectly or indirectly until they have
manifested their implicit and uncon
ditional submission to the authority
of the government, and further tha'
however much peace may be desir
ed, the present war must be wageC
with all the resources and energy
of the Government until said sub
mission shall be secured, and the
supremacy of the Constitution an;
laws established over the entire ter
ritory of the United States. The
title of the above is a Resolution
declaring the sense of Congress upor
the subject of negotiation"
The Chair laid before the Senat,
a communication from Secretary
Stanton, stating that several resolu
ton calling for information in hi
possession had been handed to hin
on his return to the city, and tha
information as to the failure of the
Secretary of War to exchange ou
men, he had only to say, withou
knowing anything ON the subject
that if he, the Secretary of War, die
as charged, he was culpable to higl
degree.
Mr.. Schenck brought up the sub
ject of Mr.. A. P. Fields late as
sault upon Judge Kelly, the latte
being member of the House. Eli
proposed the appointment of a Sc
lect committee with view to take ac
tion to vindicate the privileges an,
freedom of legislation in this body
The resolution was adopted, and wal
ordered that pending the investiga
ton Mr.. Field be excluded from the
floor of the House.
In the course of the debate on tn,
question of Fie DIS assault on Kelly
Mr.. Brooks said that recently he
had occasion to speak of certain
Major General as "gold robber,
but in some of the prints he was rep
resented of saying " bold robber.
He had received letter from Mai
Gen. who supposen the remark par
ticHlarly. applicable to him, though at tn,
timeshere was another Major General il
New York. At his desire the letter wa
read, as follows
WASHINGTON, Jan 20, 1855