Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-11
The Democratic Protest Against Ar
hifrary Arrests VIndtcated.

The proceedings Of the House of Representa-
tives on the subject of arbitrary arrests, are
strikingly sianiicant and interesting. That body
has unequivocally condemned, by vote Of "A
TO 81, the system of arbitrary arrests and i'm
prisonments pursued by the administration and
80 long protested against by the democratic press
of the country The nature Of the measure and
iss effect and bearings may be gathered from the
following reference to il in the specials.
From The New York Herald
There vas q very lively time in the committee
OF the whole house this afternoon, over the
amendment to the miscellaneous appropriation
bill proposed by Winter Davis. prohibiting trial
by cosrt mortal Of persons no, in the military or
naval service or rebel spies in states or terrific
ries where the United States courts are open
Mr.. Davis advocated the amendment in an able
and eloquent speech. as did also Mr.. Dawes, OF
Massachusetts,. Great excitement prevailed. II
bsing understood that this was blow at the see
rotary Of war under whose auspices the present
system of arbitrary arrests and trial by court
martial. or military commission. had reached It's
present overshadowin proportions
Mr.. Farnsworth rather feebly defended the
secretary Of war; but the feeling and opinion OF
the House we're msnifestly sansl him that
il Was uphill work When the amendment was
carried in committee there was some applause Oh
the floor. In the House this evening there was
something OF struggle over the matter, the
yeas and nays being called several times. That
part Of the amendment which was retroactive
vas voted down by the House. and as passed il
only applies to future trials and arrest liz is lie
iesed that the Senate will agree with the House
and the country that the time has arrived
Cor return legal trials of parties charged with
crime who are not in the military or naval ser
vice. and that long step will thus have been ia
ken towards q return to legal and constitu
tonal order of things rendered practicable by the
collapse and approaching termination OF the re-
belon
From The New York Tines.
This amendment Mr. Davis supported H. a
powerful and very eloquent speech OF hSlf an
hours length, and when he sat down was con
graduated bv both sides Of the House Mr.
Herman. of New York. followed on the same
side aud Me- Drives concluded the argument in
its favor. The vote Was taken. and the amend
ment adopted. by vote OF "a TO 81 This
amendment. If agreed to by the Senate. will have
a most sweeping effect. All persons outside the
military lines. not arrested upon the express au
thority Of the president will be turned over to
the civil courts. and military outside the
military lines. will be thing of the past.
The passage Of this amendment introduced
and supported by republicans and adopted by =
republican House. whether eoncurred in by the
Senate or not. is death bed confession and justi
6cation Of all the condemnation that has been
heaped upon the military management at Wash
ington. and none the less gratifying because in
Introducing and adopting il Messrs DAVIS.
DAWES, scnKScK and their colleagues of the
majority brand themselves az having while the
the great outrages were being perpetratsd proved
false TO their trusts and duties.