Congressional Summary.
In the
Senate, Wednesday, the
House bill prescribing the rates of postage on newspapers, periodicals, etc., was passed.
A similar bill had previously passed the Senate concurrently with similar action in the
House.
Mr. Semmer, of
La., from the
Joint Committee on Flag and Seal, reported a bill to establish the flag of the
Confederate States, which was passed.
It provides that.
The flag of the
Confederate States shall consist of a white field, with the battle flag for a union, which shall be square and occupy two-thirds of the width of the flag, and a blue bar, one-third of the flag in its width, dividing the field lengthwise.
A House bill to allow hospital accommodations to sick and wounded officers was passed.
Also, a Senate bill allowing $3 per day to soldiers detailed in certain cases, in lion of all other compensation.
A bill introduced yesterday by
Mr. Wigfall, to amend the Impressment act, was taken up and passed.
It provides that when the impressing officer disapproves of the appraisement the claim shall be referred to the proper accounting officer of the
Government, to be noticed according to the principles of equity and justice.
Before the passage of the bill
Mr.Wigfall passed to be read a letter from N. C.
Mosby Agent, to
Capt. E. P. Archor,
A. Q. M. Richmond stating that 73 bales of hay, impressed by him in
Powhatan county, belonging to
M. W. Kishaus, had been appraised by
Gen. P. Bradley and
John N. Wooddin at $20 per hundred.
Dr. Kishaus declining to serve,
Mr. Bradley was selected as appraiser on behalf of the
Government,
Mr. Mosby expresses the opinion that if this price is to be repassed in future appraisements the debt incurred by the
Government to sustain the army will reach to such an enormous figure as may endanger Be ultimate payment.
In the
House the consideration of the bill reported by
Mr. Gray, of
Texas, amendatory of the sequestration law, was regiment.
A substitute for the first section of the bill was offered by
Mr. Hedge, of
Ky., providing that all enactments authorizing, directing, or permitting the sale of
real estate or slaves are hereby repealed, but the courts provided for by the original art and amendments may make such orders and decrees for the custody and management of real property or slaves as shall preserve the same from waste and damage.
This substitute was adopted be a vote of 34 to 35.
A motion to postpone the bill definitely was rejected — ayes 26, noes 42.
The vote was then taken upon the bill reported from the committee, as amended, in of the Senate bill, and it was agreed to. The vote upon the final passage of the bill was then taken, and resulted — ayes 3, noes 39.
Mr. Genrad, of
La., from the special committee of one from each States, to whom was referred a resolution with reference to providing a homestead for discharged either, and bill on the subject, which was postpone, and placed upon the calendar.
The bill continuing in pay all discharged wounded and disabled soldiers was reported back with an amendment, and was also placed upon the calendar.
