Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Tuesday, February 21, 1865.
Prayer by
the Rev. Mr. Jeter, of the Baptist Church.
The Chair laid before the Senate communications from the
Secretary of the Treasury, which were referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Semmes, of
Louisiana, offered the following, which was agreed to:
‘
"
Resolved, That the
President be requested to communicate to the Senate, if not incompatible with the public interests, the official report of
General John B. Hood of the operations of the Army of Tennessee while under his command."
’
House bill authorizing proof to be received of the destruction or loss of vouchers necessary in the settlement of accounts was considered and passed.
Also,
House bill to amend the thirteenth section of an act entitled "an act to reduce the currency and to authorize a new issue of notes and bonds."
Also, a Senate joint resolution construing the act of May 31, 1864, to provide for the appointment of a disbursing clerk in the War Department.
On motion of
Mr. Semmes, of
Louisiana, Senate resolved into secret session on the "inevitable nigger" bill.
House of Representatives.
The
House met at the usual hour, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. Dr. Peterkin.
Senate bills "to provide for the promotion of officers in certain cases," and "to amend the act to organize forces to serve during the war," as also Senate amendments to
House bill "to diminish the number of exempts and details," were referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Anderson, of
Georgia, from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported adversely upon various bills, petitions and memorials for relief from taxation, which were accordingly laid on the table.
Mr. Hilton, of
Florida, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill for the relief of bonded agriculturists who, by reason of having been in the militia, or elsewhere in the military service of the country, have been, or are, unable to fulfill their contracts.
An additional section, releasing from the conditions of the contract the estates of such bonded agriculturists as may have died while in such military service, was added, and the bill passed.
Mr. Hanly, of
Arkansas, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to require non- commissioned officers and privates to be paid upon their individual certificates, supported by oath.
The bill was passed.
Senate bill "to amend the act to organize a general staff" was reported back from the committee with an amendment increasing the number of aids allowed a general commanding an army in the field.
The amendment was agreed to and the bill passed.
Senate bill to abolish the offices of quartermasters and commissaries, assistant quartermasters and commissaries, engaged in the performance of post duty and in the collection of the tax in kind, and to fill their places with bonded officers, was reported back from the
Committee on Military Affairs with the recommendation that it do not pass.
The bill was amended by striking out the clause abolishing the offices of those officers engaged in the collection of the tax in kind, and passed — yeas, 38; nays, 29.
The
House then proceeded to the consideration of the tax bill; pending which,
Mr. Cluskey, of
Tennessee, presented resolutions (which he, however, subsequently withdrew,) declaring the seat of
the Hon. Henry S. Foote vacant.
The
House then took a recess until half-past 7 P. M.
