The
Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock M, and the proceedings opened with prayer by
the Rev. Robert Ryan, of the Baptist Church.
The Hon. James M. Baker attended.
Mr. Maxwell, of Fla, introduced a bill to prevent speculation, hoarding, and extortion.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Simmons, of
La., offered a resolution instructing the
Committee on Commerce to inquire into the expediency of modifying the existing tariff laws so as to require the duties on goods imported to be assessed and paid on the value thereof in Confederate currency at the port or place of importation.
Also, by
Mr. Simmons, a resolution directing the
Committee of Commerce to inquire into the expediency of regulating foreign trade by a system of licenses, to be issued on such terms and conditions as may secure to the
Government the importation of munitions of war and other necessary supplies, thus controlling private enterprise, without however depriving it of the stimulus to exertion.
Both resolutions were agreed to.
Mr. Brown, of
Miss., introduced a bill to protect members of Congress from annoyance whilst travelling in the
Confederate States.
It provides that the
Secretary of State be directed to furnish each
Congressman a certificate of his position, which shall entitle him to travel without other passport, but this shall not entitle such
Congressman to visit an army or armed vessel against the will of the
Commander thereof.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Clarke, of
Mo., introduced a bill providing for the increase of the salaries of Government clerks and employees in
Richmond whose salaries are less than fifteen hundred and seventeen hundred and fifty dollars. Referred to the Committee of Finance.
Mr. Orr, of
S. C., offered a resolution directing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of amending the law so that assessments under the tax law shall conform to the valuation of the
Commissary under the impressment law.
Mr. Henry, of
Tenn., submitted a joint resolution for absorbing four hundred millions of the present currency by levying a direct tax upon our property, including Treasury notes which shall be held on the 1st of April next. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Johnson, of
Ga., introduced a bill, which was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs, to amend the impressment act. The bill provides for the repeal of the law authorizing the appointment of commissioners to fix prices in the different States, and requires that property impressed shall be appraised by citizens of the county or parish, and shall be paid for at the time and place when and where impressed.
The Senate, on motion of
Mr. Phelan, refused to concur in the
House amendment to the joint resolution fixing the compensation of the public printer, and asked a committee of conference.
Mr. Sparrow, from the
Committee of Military Affairs, reported a bill to organize forces to serve during the war. The bill provides that all white male residents shall be declared in the military service of the
Confederate States; all between the ages of 16 and 18 and between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five to constitute a reserved corps, and all between eighteen and forty-five the army in the field; the exemption law to be repealed and all persons who have furnished substitutes to be put into service.
Mr. Hill, of
Ga., from the
Committee on the Judiciary, reported back, with the recommendation that it pass, the bill providing that the next regular meeting of Congress be on the fourth Monday of February, 1864.--The consideration of the bill was postponed till the following
Wednesday.
Mr. Hill, from the same committee, reported back, with the recommendation that it do not pass, the bill to regulate the future sessions of Congress.
On motion of
Mr. Orr, the Senate resolved into secret session, and the doors being reopened, adjourned.
The
House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. Dr. Duncan.
Mr. Chilton, of
Ala., introduced a resolution to give authority to the
Committee on the Quartermaster's Department to send for persons and papers, and to employ a clerk to aid them in their labors.
Agreed to.
Mr. Foster, of
Ala., presented a bill to repeal certain clauses of an act entitled "An act to exempt certain persons from military service," which was referred to the Military Committee.
Messrs. Johnson, of Va, and
Pugh, of
Ala., were added to the
Committee on Currency.
Mr. Chilton offered a resolution that the Judiciary Committee be requested to inquire of, and report by bill, such measures as will enable committees of the
House to take proof by depositions in regard to matters referred to them for investigation.
Agreed to.
Mr. Foster offered a resolution that the Military Committee be requested to confer with the
Secretary of War upon the expediency of transferring the control and management of the provost and conscript duties to the
Governors of the respective States.--Also, a resolution that the Military Committee be requested to inquire into the expediency of so amending the exemption law as to place in the service all able-bodied men liable to military duty, and now engaged as conductors, guards, &c., upon the various railroads in the
Confederacy, and placing in their stead disabled soldiers and men over forty-five years of age.
Mr. Hilton, of Fla, introduced a resolution on the subject of finance, which, without reading, was referred to the special Committee on the Currency.
Mr. Swann, of
Tenn., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs in quire and report to this
House what are now, and what have been during the twelve months past, the geographical limits of the department of which
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston has been the
commanding General; that they further inquire and report whether by the orders and instructions given him while so commanding, he was invested with plenary powers, to direct the operations of the armies within that department.
Adopted.
Mr. Boteler, of
Va., offered a resolution that the Military Committee inquire into the expediency of amending the law establishing a military court for each army corps, so as to authorize a similar court to commands of cavalry composed of two or more divisions.
Also, a resolution that the same committee inquire into the expediency of so
amending the law abolishing regimental commissaries as to exempt the cavalry regiments from its operations.
Mr. Chambliss, of
Va., reported a resolution, embracing a scheme of finance, which was referred to the special Committee on the Currency.
A resolution was offered by
Mr. Lyons instructing the
Speaker to invite
Gen. Robt E. Lee, and
Hon. Isham G. Harris, of
Tennessee, to take seats within the bar of this House, which was agreed to.
Mr. Russell, of
Va., reported a bill to permit the funding of certain Treasury notes not now fundable.
Referred to the Special Committee on the Currency.
Also, a bill to imposes a tax on Treasury notes, which was referred to the same committee.
The Chair laid before the
House a message from the
President transmitting a communication from the
Secretary of the Treasury, covering estimates of sums needed for the public service among the
Indian tribes, which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
On motion, the
House adjourned.
