House of representatives,
Thursday, March 20, 1862
House that at 13 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr Doggett.
Journal of yesterday read and approved.
Mr. Elliot, of Kentucky, announced the presence of his colleague, Hon. Mr. Bacon, of Kentucky, who appeared and took the oath.
A message was received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate insists upon its disagreement to the House amendment to the bill fixing the pay and mintage of members, asking a committee of conference between the two Houses, and informing the House that Messrs. Burnett, Barnwell, and Wigfall were appointed upon the part of the Senate.
Mr. Garland, of Arkansas, moved that a line committee be appointed on the part of the House.
Agreed to.
Mr. Pugh, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported back the following bill, which was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
An Act to provides for ascertaining and detailing
Arlizans and Mechanics from the Confederate States Army.
- Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and required forth with to establish regulations for ascertaining the names and occupations of all the Arlizans and mechanics in the army of the Confederate States.
- Sec 2. Be it further enacted, That when discovery is made of said artisans and mechanics, the Secretary of War shall provide for securing the services of such persons as he may select in their respective trades, to the Government of the Confederate States in such work and labor as may be deemed important in the military movements or operations of the army and navy, and also in other work and labor needed by the Government, in or out of the army and navy, in the prosecution of the existing war. And where such artisans and mechanics shall be detached from their commands and employed with their consent in the workshops, ship yards, or other places for the Government work, the Secretary shall allow them reasonable compensation, and when said artisans and mechanics shall cease to be employed as aforesaid, they shall be returned to their respective commands, and again enter on military duty. And when said artisans and mechanics shall be detailed on work and labor necessary to the operations or movements of the army to which they may be attached, they shall to paid a sum not exceeding fifty cents per day in addition to the pay and allowance now allowed by law for such time as they may be so detailed. Mr. Pugh also reported a bill to allow the President to increase his personal staff, which, after a third reading, was adopted. Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported back a bill for the organization of a corps for working nitre cases and establishing nitre beds. The bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed. The unfinished business of yesterday — the bill entitled an act to carry into effect of the sixth section of the first article of the Constitution, allowing Cabinet ministers seats upon the floor of Congress, with the privilege of discussing measures pertaining to the business of their respective Departments — was taken up, and the amendment of Mr. Kennes, of Louisiana, adding the words, ‘"during the continuance of the present war, "’ was adopted. The bill was then ordered to its engrossment, when Mr. Davis, of Miss., obtained the floor and opposed the measure in a speech of considerable length. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Dargan, of Ala, called the question, which Being put to the House, was negatived. Mr. Kenan, of Georgia, explained the reasons which influenced the Provisional Congress in incorporating the provision into the Constitution. The bill reported from the Judiciary Committee merely proposed to carry out the Constitution. Mr. Maghen, of Ky., and Mr. Russell, of Va., advocated the bill, and at the conclusion of Mr. Russell's remark. Mr. Foote of Tenn, moved that the House go into secret session, which being seconded, the Speaker ordered the floor to be cleared.
