House of Representatives.
Thursday, March 13, 1862.
Very little business was transacted in the House of Representatives during its open session yesterday.
Most of the day was spent in secret session, and we have reason to hope that the great interests of the country were judiciously considered there.
The session of the House was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. H- after which the States were called alphabetically for memorials, resolutions, &c., when.
Mr. Garland, of Ark., offered the following resolution: ‘
Resolved, That the memorial of H. R. Austin, of Memphis, Tenn., relative to the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad, which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs in the Provisional Congress, and the bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to loan to such road a certain amount of the bonds of the Confederate States, &c., which was also referred to said committee, both of which were not reported back by said committee, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs of this House.
Agreed to. ’
Mr. Reid, of Kentucky, introduced a resolution authorizing the Doorkeeper to purchase for the use of each member a small desk, similar to those provided for the members of the Senate; also, three sofas, to be placed in the lobby, for the accommodation of the ladies attending the sittings of the House.
Mr. Smith, of Virginia, moved to lay the resolution on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Garnett, of Virginia, introduced a resolution with reference to the compensation of persons whose lands and growing crops have been damaged by the occupation of troops; which was appropriately referred.
Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, from the Committee on Rules and Officers of the House, moved to take up the consideration of the Senate bill regulating the compensation of officers of Congress.
The Committee recommended that the words ‘"quarterly in advance,"’ wherever it occurred in the Senate bill, be stricken out. This motion was disagreed to by a vote of ayes 30, noes 35.
Mr. Smith, of Virginia, then moved to amend by inserting the word "daily," instead of ‘"quarterly in advance."’ This motion was agreed to — ayes 35, noes 27.
The bill fixes the salary of the Clerk of the House at $-,000, and allows him three clerks, with a salary of $1,500 each; the salary of the Doorke per, $1,500; Assistant Doorkeeper, $1,200; and the pages $2 per day.
Mr. Crockett, of Ky., moved to amend by striking out $1,500 as the salary of the Doorkeeper, and inserting $2,000 instead thereof.
Amendment agreed to.
Mr. Machen, of Ky., moved to amend by striking out $1,500 as the compensation of the assistant clerks, and inserting in lieu there of $2,000.
Mr. Royston, of Ark., moved to lay the amendment on the table, and the motion was agreed to.
The bill was then read as amended, and being put upon its passage, was adopted.
The House then resumed the consideration of the unfinished business of yesterday, being the bill reported from the Committee on Military Affairs, declaring what persons shall be exempt from militia duty.
A number of amendments were proposed and severally discussed, when a constitutional question was raised by Mr. Smith, of Virginia, as to the power of the House to decide upon cases of exemption, expressing the opinion that the bill interfered with the rights which pertained to the States, and not to the General Government.
A motion was made to commit the bill, with its several amendments to the Judiclary Committee, which was agreed to, and the bill was so referred.
On motion of Mr. Foote, the House then went into secret session. 