The
Senate was opened with prayed by
the Rev. Mr. Minnigerode, of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Semmes from the Finance Committee, reported the following bill, which was passed:--
The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That according to the provisions of the 11th section of an act entitled "an act to levy taxes for the common defence and carry on the
Government of the
Confederate States," approved April 24th, 1863, the farmer or planter is not required to pay the
Government one-tenth of his straw of wheat, rye, oats, or barley, or of the shocks and stalks of his corn crop.
Mr. Sparrow, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported back, with the request to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, the resolution relative to the increase of compensation of certain Government employees.
Mr. Sparrow, from the same committee, reported back, with a request to be discharged from its further consideration, the memorial of the
Augusta Fire Brigade, asking to be organized into a corps for local defence.
Mr. Clay, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported, with the recommendation that they pass, the following joint resolutions:
Whereas, Major Heros Von Borck, of
Prussia, Adjutant and inspector- General of the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, having left his own country to assist in securing the independence of ours, and by his personal gallantry in the field having won the admiration of his comrades, as well as of his commanding General, all of whom deeply sympathize with him in his present sufferings from wounds received in battle: Therefore,
Resolved, by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the thanks of Congress are due, and the same are hereby tendered, to
Major Von Borck for his self- sacrificing devotion to our Confederacy, and for his distinguished services to our cause.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to
Major Von Borck by the
President of the
Confederate States.
The resolutions were passed unanimously.
Mr. Hill, from the
Committee on the Judiciary, reported back adversely the bill relative to speculators, hoarders, and extortioners.
On motion of
Mr. Maxwell, the bill was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Hill, from the same committee, also reported back, with the recommendation that it pass, the bill providing for auditing and authenticating claims against the
Confederate States.
On motion of
Mr. Johnson, of
Ark., the Finance Committee were instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing the clause of the Assessment act requiring assessors to be over 45 years of age.
Mr. Maxwell, of
Fla., introduced a bill to authorize the issue of certain bonds for the payment to the
Alabama and Florida railroad.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
On motion of
Mr. Orr, the Senate resolved itself into secret Executive session.
The doors being opened, on motion of
Mr. Sparrow, the bill to organize forces was taken up and made the special order for 12½ o'clock P. M. on the following day.
On motion of
Mr. Johnson, of
Ga., the Senate, at 3 o'clock P. M., adjourned.
The
House was called to order at 11 o'clock by the
Speaker.
The
House took up the unfinished business of Saturday, being the bill to provide for placing in the military service persons claiming to be citizens of the
United States.
The question was upon the passage of the substitute of
Mr. Chilton, requiring all persons between the ages of 18 and 45 who may be resident in the
Confederate States after the 1st day of February next, to be subject to enrollment in the military service of the
Confederate States, regardless of any claim of non-residence or alienage which they may set up; but leaving it discretionary with the
President, upon considerations of equity and justice, or of public necessity, to exempt such persons.
The call for the question upon the passage of the bill was not sustained, and
Mr. Clapp, of
Miss., offered an amendment to the substitute of
Mr. Chilton, extending the time allowed to the class of persons alluded to, to sixty days from the passage of the bill, and moved that the whole subject be recommitted.
The bill was continued under discussion until the expiration of the morning hour, when
Mr. Wright, of
Texas, moved that the
House go into secret session, with a view to renew the consideration of the special order — the bill reported from the special Committee on Currency.
On this motion
Mr. Lyons, of
Va., called the ayes and noes, which were ordered, and resulted — ayes 50, noes 23.
Before going into secret session the
Speaker announced the appointment of the following select committee, to whom was referred the joint resolution of
Mr. Goode in relation to the war, viz:
Messrs. Clapp of
Miss.,
Goode of
Va.,
Curry of
Ala.,
Hartridge of
Ga., and
Smith of
North Carolina.
The
House then went into secret session on the Currency bill, and the doors were closed.
