The
Senate, yesterday, was called to order by
Mr. Hunter, of
Va.,
President Protem. Prayer by
Rev. Dr. Read, of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Wigfall, of
Texas, introduced a bill, which was referred to the Military Committee, to organize forces to serve during the war. The bill provides that after the passage of the act all white residents of the
Confederates States between the ages of sixteen and sixty shall be in the military service; those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, and between the ages of forty-five and sixty, to constitute a Reserve corps, and those between the ages of eighteen and forty-five to constitute the army in the field; the Reserve corps to be used for local defence, subject to the regulations of the army in the field, and not to be ordered beyond their States except in cases of great emergency, and then not for longer period than thirty days.
Mr. Sims, of
Ky., introduced a bill to amend the act passed 29th of January, 1862, for the "aid of
Kentucky and for other purposes." It provides that the act shall be so amended as to authorize the
Governor and Council of
Kentucky to appropriate as they shall think proper the sum of $1,000,000 of the sum authorized to be paid them by the said law. Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Oldham, of
Texas, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the
Committee on Commerce to inquire into the expediency of abolishing contraband trade between the people of the
Confederate States and the
United States of prohibiting the exportation of specie during the continuance of the blockade, and of prohibiting the introduction into the country of foreign goods, wares, and merchandize, except articles of prime necessity.
On motion of
Mr. Hill, from the Judiciary Committee, the Report of the
Attorney General was ordered to be printed.
On motion of
Mr. Clay, of Ala, it was resolved that when the Senate adjourn it be to meet on Monday.
On motion of
Mr. Clay, the Senate adjourned.
The
House was opened with prayer at 12 o'clock.
Mr. Chilton, of
Ala., submitted a resolution that the
President be requested to cause to be sent to this
House a complete list of all the disbursing agents in the
Quartermaster and Commissary Departments who, in the settlement of their accounts, have failed to make proper returns.
Agreed to.
Mr. Gartrell, of
Ga., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the expediency of putting into the field all able-bodied men now in the
Quartermaster and Commissary Departments, hospitals, Nitre Bureaus, and all other departments of the
Government. --Agreed to.
Mr. Perkins, of
La., introduced a bill to raise a tax for the support of the
Government, which was referred to the special Committee on the Currency.
Mr. Miles, of
S. C., submitted a bill for the regulation of tonnage duties, which was referred to the
Committee of Commerce.
Also, a bill regulating duties on imports, which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Mr. Swann, of
Tenn., offered a resolution that the
President be respectfully requested to furnish to this
House the number of exempts in the
Confederacy, and the reasons for such exemptions, as far as practicable.
Mr. Foote presented a preamble and resolutions defining the true meaning of the conscript act. Also, a resolution that the
President be requested to furnish to this
House what number of men liable to conscription have been discharged from the
Quartermaster and Commissary Departments, in accordance with the order of the
Adjutant General, and their places supplied with persons not subject to conscription.
Also, a resolution that a committee of four members be appointed to inquire into the alleged Ill-treatment of Yankee prisoners, and whether they have at any time been without an adequate supply of wholesome and nutritious food.
On motion of
Mr. Gray, of
Texas, this resolution was so amended as to make it the duty of said committee to inquire whether our own soldiers have been always supplied with adequate rations.
As thus amended the resolution was agreed to.
Mr. Foote also offered a resolution that a committee of five members be appointed, whose duty it shall be to inquire diligently into the causes of the late disaster to our arms at Chattanooga Rejected.
Also, a resolution that a similar committee be appointed to inquire into the causes which led to the surrender of
Vicksburg into the hands of the enemy.
Rejected.
Also, a resolution to raise a special committee to inquire into alleged abuses in the
Quartermaster's Departments.
The resolution was amended so as to refer the resolution to the
Committee on Quartermaster and Commissary Departments, and it was agreed to.
Mr. Chambliss, of
Va., offered a resolution requesting the
President to furnish the
House the number of men engaged in enforcing the conscript act in each Congressional District, which was agreed to.
Mr. Goode, of
Va., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the expediency of repealing the act exempting certain persons from military service.
Mr. Boyce, of
S. C., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire whether the condition of our soldiers now in Northern prisons can be improved by legislation.
Mr. Welch, of
Miss., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the expediency of conscribing 100,000 male slaves between the ages of 18 and 45 years, to be placed in the
Confederate States Army in the capacity of teamsters, cooks for our soldiers, waiters in hospitals, laborers on fortifications, and in such other capacity as they can be profitably employed.
Agreed to.
Also, a resolution that the
President be requested, if compatible with the public interest, to transmit to this
House the report of
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, covering his operations in
Mississippi during the months of May, June, and July, 1863. Agreed to.
Mr. Smith, of
N. C., introduced a bill to amend the act to levy taxes for the common defence and for the support of the
Government, which was referred to the
Committee on Currency.
The Speaker laid before the
House the bill passed by the Senate to repeal the act authorizing the reception of substitutes in the army.
After some discussion, the bill was referred to the Military Committee, and ordered to be printed.
On motion, the
House adjourned.
