Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Wednesday, December 14, 1864.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Minnegerode, of the Episcopal Church.
By Mr. Walker: A bill to provide for the compensation of persons whose slaves have been lost while in the service of the Confederate States.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
By Mr. Walker: Also, a bill to guard against improper constructions of the tax laws by the officers charged with the execution of the same.
Referred to the same.
On motion, by Mr. Sparrow, the bill to regulate the impressment of slaves in the State of Virginia, reported adversely from the Military Committee, was indefinitely postponed.
Senate bill to increase the maximum rate of compensation allowed railroad companies for carrying the mails, reported favorably by the Postal Committee, was considered; and, after discussion, on motion, by Mr. Hill, laid over and ordered to be printed.
Senate joint resolution relating to the manufacture of railroad iron and new lines of railroad was considered and passed.
Mr. Brown, of Mississippi, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the Finance Committee to inquire into the expediency of allowing non-resident tax-payers in counties and districts of country in the recent occupation of the enemy a longer time than is now allowed for the payment of taxes, and allowing them to pay their taxes to the chief collector of the State.
House bill to punish conspiracy, reported with an amendment from the Judiciary Committee, was taken up. Pending the discussion on the motion of Mr. Graham to strike out the proviso to the bill and drop the amendment of the committee,
On motion, by Mr. Hunter, the Senate resolved into secret executive session.
