Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Thursday, December 22, 1864.
Mr. Baker, of Florida, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, that the Judiciary Committee inquire into the expediency of amending the Judiciary Act by authorizing the judges of the district courts to issue writs of mandamus to persons holding office under the Confederate States.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Military Committee, reported a bill, which was passed, making it the duty of the Quartermaster-General to provide fuel and light necessary for the Executive Mansion, and forage for six horses, for the use of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the Confederate States; and making it the duty of the Commissary-General to furnish the same officer commissary supplies allowed to commissioned officers in the field, the quantity allowed to be drawn and purchased by him being double what is allowed a general in the field: Provided, that if hereafter the salary allowed him be paid in par funds, the value of the forage and subsistence furnished him during the period in which such payment is made in par funds shall be deducted from said salary in the settlement of his accounts.
The act is to continue in force during the war.
Mr. Sparrow, from the same committee to whom was referred the President's message, in response to a resolution of the Senate asking information relative to the number of officers of the army tried for drunkenness during the war, reported the same back, and asked to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.
From a letter from the Adjutant-General, transmitted in this message, it appears that the total number of officers of the army tried for drunkenness since the beginning of the war is two hundred and twenty-two.
Of this number, one hundred and fifty-one were convicted and seventy-one acquitted.
On motion, it was ordered that when the Senate adjourn, it be to Monday next.
On motion, the Senate resolved into secret executive session.
