House of Representatives.
Thursday, April 10, 1862.
The House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Stewart. Journal of yesterday read.
Mr. Jones, of Tenn., moved to suspend the rules so as to proceed with the call of the committees.
Mr. Wright, of Texas, asked leave of absence for his colleague, Mr. Herber; which was granted.
Mr. Welch, of Miss., asked leave of absence for his colleague, Mr. Clapp; which was also granted.
Mr. Foster, of Ala., submitted a paper in relation to a Government directory; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Mr. Gartrell, of Ga., introduced a bill to confer the rights of citizenship upon Barnett Phillips, of Georgia.
Referred.
Mr. Conrad, of La., offered a resolution in relation to the appointment of an additional number of cadets.
Referred to Military Committee.
Also, a resolution requiring the Military Committee to inquire into the expediency of conferring some badge of distinction upon officers of the army and navy for distinguished services.
Referred.
Also, a resolution to authorize the suspension of sales of property of alien enemies under the sequestration act. Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Mr. Boteler, of Va., offered the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act entitled "an act to authorize payment to be made for certain horses purchased for the army by Col. A. W. McDonald," approved August 21st, 1861, so as to insert after the word "horses," wherever it occurs in said act, the words "saddles, bridles, &c., necessary for their suitable equipment,"
Mr. Smith, of N. C. offered the following resolution, which was referred to the Military Committee: Whereas, it is declared by the 14th clause of the 9th section of the Constitution of the Confederate States that "no soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law:" Therefore, be it.
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire what legislation, if any, is necessary to carry into effect the letter clause, and to regulate and restrain the exercise of the power to be conferred by such legislation, and prevent abuses thereof.
Mr. Russell, of Va., introduced a bill to provide for calling forth the militia during the present war; which was referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Wilcox, of Texas, submitted a resolution tendering the thanks of the House and the country to Brig. Gen Sibley, for brilliant services in New Mexico.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. Chambliss, of Va., introduced a bill to provide for the appointment of Chaplains in the naval hospitals; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Boyoe, of S. C., introduced a bill entitled an act to provide pensions for officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, disabled in service, and in case of their deaths to continue the same to their widows, or orphan children.
Mr. Farrow, of S. C., submitted two petitions in reference to post- routes; which were referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Roads.
Mr. Chilton, of Ala., offered a design for a flag; which was referred to the Committee on Flag and Seal.
Mr. McQueen, of S. C., offered a memorial, which without reading, was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Miles, of S. C., introduced a bill to organize the Supreme Court of the Confederate States and asked that it be printed; which was agreed to.
Mr. Macken, of Ky., introduced the following resolution; which, on his motion, was laid on the table:
Resolved, That by the adoption of the report from the Committee on Claims on the subject of pensions, reported to this House on yesterday, it is not intended to be understood that the Congress of the Confederate States repudiate the policy of paying pensioners who were such under the Government of the United States, nor the policy of granting pensions to such persons hereafter as may be proper objects of Government cars on account of military services rendered the country.
Mr. Kenner, of La., called up the bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to suspend the collection of the war tax in certain States invaded by the enemy.
The bill was considered and passed.
Mr. Gartrell, of Georgia, called up the bill, heretofore reported from the Judiciary Committee, to regulate the compensation and fees of district marshals; which, after consideration, was passed.
Also, the bill to regulate the compensation and fees of clerks of Confederate Courts; which, after some discussion, and the introduction of various amendments, was agreed to.
Also, the bill to amend the laws relative to the compensation of attorneys of Confederate States.
Bill agreed to
The Speaker laid before the House the official report of Captain Franklin Buchanan of the naval engagement in Hampton Roads, on the 8th and 9th of March, 1862.
Mr. Miles, of S. C., moved that 2,500 copies of the report be printed; which was agreed to.
Mr. Chambliss, of Va., offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered, to the officers and men of the Patrick Henry, Jamestown, and Teazer, and other vessels engaged, for their gallant conduct and bearing in the naval combat and brilliant victory on the waters of James river on the 8th and 9th of March, 1862.
Mr. Kenner, of La., presented a bill to authorize the Secretary of War to divide the contingent expenses of the War Department and the army.
Bill was read a third time and passed.
A bill from the Senate was read, entitled an act to authorize the issuance of Treasury notes under the denomination of five dollars. Referred to Committee of Ways and Means.
The report of the joint committee as to what matters shall be considered in secret session, was called up by Mr. Curry, of Ala. The report provides that all matters relating to military, naval, financial, and foreign affairs, shall be considered in secret session.
On this the ayes and noes were called, and the vote resulted — ayes 42, noes 3d.
The decision of the Chair was that two-thirds were necessary to the adoption of this rule, and therefore the rule was not adopted.
Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, introduced a resolution to provide for the payment of the clerk of the Military Committee; which was read and agreed to
Mr. Kenner, of Louisiana, introduced a similar resolution with reference to the clerk of the Committee of Ways and Means; which was also agreed to.
A message was received from the Senate asking a secret session of the two Houses; and, on motion of Mr. Holt, of Georgia, the House went into secret session. Thursday, April 10, 1862.
