Confederate Congress.
first session.
Senate.
Friday, March 7.
In the Senate,
Mr. Maxwell, of
Florida, offered a resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee to prepare and report a bill to carry into effect the latter clause of the 2d part of section 6th of the
Constitution.
This relates to the authority given to the Senate to admit members of the
Cabinet to seats on the floor.
Mr. Johnson, of
Ark., opposed the resolution, and said it was a matter of doubt, until the present Cabinet changes were disposed of, whether the clause of the
Constitution should be carried out at all.
Mr. Maxwell did not suppose the resolution would bring on debate, or that it would be made the subject of argument.
If he had so supposed, the resolution should have been one of inquiry of the committee whether the clause should be carried out or not, and instructing them to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Maxwell thus modified his resolution, and it was adopted.
Mr. Haynes, of
Tennessee, moved to reconsider the vote of yesterday whereby the two writing clerks were allowed only $1,600 per annum.
Their duties were arduous; more so indeed than those of the reading clerk.
They seldom got through their work before midnight.
Mr. Barnwell, of
S. C., opposed the resolution, and thought the way to relieve these over-worked men was to employ an additional clerk.
While he would not advocate any unnecessary increase, he still wished a sufficient number of clerks to do the work.
He did not think that if these men did have to work until midnight, an increase of salary would shorten their labors.
That did not seem to him the way to accomplish the object.
Mr. Haynes thought that additional salary would at least be a matter of right, and would at least sweeten their severe labors, and it should be given.
Mr. Clark, of
Alabama, (interrupting,) on the principle the ‘"laborer is worthy of his hire."’ The bill did not meet general approval and failed to pass.
House of Representatives.
Friday, March 7, 1862.
In the House of Representatives,
Mr. Crilton, of
Ala., asked the
Chairman of the Military Committee what action had been taken with reference to a resolution he had submitted, several days ago, instructing that committee to inquire into the expediency of raising an additional force of two hundred thousand men.
Mr. Miles, on the part of the committee, replied that the committee were about to report a bill on the subject.
Mr. Hanley, of
Ark., submitted a resolution instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency of constructing fortifications forth with on the
Mississippi river at certain points.
The resolution was referred.
Mr. Rovston, of
Arkansas, introduced a bill repealing all laws imposing a duty upon goods imported into the
Confederate States from foreign States, excepting the
United States, which was referred to the
Committee on Commerce.
A message from the Senate was received concurring in the following, viz: a resolution declaring the sense of Congress respecting a reunion with the
Northern States; a bill creating the office of
Commanding General; a bill regulating the destruction of cotton, tobacco, and other property, and compensation therefore.
Mr. Villere, of
Louisiana, submitted a resolution instructing the
Naval Committees to inquire what would be the cost of 10 small screw steamers, and where they could be built.
Mr. Miles introduced a bill to purge the military service of ignorant and inefficient officers.
Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Foote introduced a bill to support public credit, and to purchase the cotton crop at a price not exceeding — cents; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, a bill to impose an export duty on cotton and tobacco, the growth of the present year, unless the blockade be sooner terminated.
Also, a bill prohibiting the export of cotton and tobacco in certain cases.
Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
The following bill from the Senate was read:
A Bill to Regulate the Destruction of Property under Military Necessity, and to provide for the indemnity thereof
Sect. 1.
The Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That the military authorities of the Confederate Army are hereby authorized and directed to destroy cotton, tobacco, military and naval stores, or other property of any kind whatever, which may aid the enemy in the prosecution of the war, when necessary to prevent the same or any part thereof from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Sect. 2.
Be it further enacted, That the owners of property destroyed under the operation of this act, as well as those persons who shall voluntarily destroy their property to prevent the same from falling into the hands of the enemy, are hereby authorized to perpetuate the testimony of such destruction in the manner prescribed by an act of the Provisional Congress, entitled an act to perpetuate testimony in cases of slaves abducted or harbored by the enemy, and of other property seized, wasted or destroyed by them, approved 30th August, 1861, and such owners and persons shall be entitled to indemnity out of the proceeds of property sequestered and confiscated under the laws of the
Confederate States, in such manner as Congress may hereafter provide.
Upon which ensued a lengthy debate, participated in by
Messrs. Curry,
Garland,
Smith of
Virginia,
Foote,
Crockett, Miles,
Royce,
Gray,
Dupre,
Russell,
Wright of
Georgia, and
Lyons of
Virginia.
The bill was finally adopted.
