Tuesday, March 3, 1863.
Senate--The Senate met at 12 o'clock, and was called to order by
Mr. Hunter, of Va.
Mr. Davis, of
N. C., introduced a bill to increase the efficiency of the Army, which was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
It provides that the privates of the Provisional Army shall be divided into a first and second class — the first shall receive $14 per month pay and wear a distinctive mark or badge of their class, and any private of the second class presuming to wear the distinctive mark or badge of the first class shall be punished by sentence of a Court Martial.
Mr. Wigfall introduced a bill to provide a staff for the commander of an army in the field; also, a bill authorizing the appointment by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of as many
Assistant Inspector General;
Assistant Quartermaster-Generals, and Commissaries, as the service may require, with rank not above that of
Colonel, who shall receive pay and allowances according to their respective grades; and, also, authorize the appointment of as many additional Surgeons for the war as the service may require. --Referred to the
Committee Military Affairs.
Mr. Wigfall introduced an act to provide for the appointment for each General commanding a separate army one.
Aid de-Camp with the rank of a Colonel of cavalry, one with the rank of a Major of cavalry, and one with the rank of a Captain of cavalry, and one with the rank of a 1st
Lieutenant of cavalry, with the pay and allowance of their respective grades.
Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Barnwell, from the
Committee on Finance, reported a bill to declare the mode of paying the salaries of officers in foreign parts.
Recommitted.
Mr. Semmet, of
Louisiana, submitted the following resolution, which was agreed to:
Resolved, That the
Committee on Foreign Affairs be instructed to inquire into the propriety and expediency of repealing so much of certain resolutions touching certain points of maritime law and defining the position of the
Confederate States in respect thereto, as declares "that a central flag covers enemies goods, with the exception of contraband of war;" and report by bill or otherwise.
The Senate resolved itself into secret session.
House of Representatives--The
House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr. Read.
Mr. Kennu, of
Ga., moved to suspend the rules with a view to allow the following resolution to be considered:
Resolved, That the further consideration of all questions; reports, bills, and resolutions be suspended until the currency and tax bills are acted upon; and that immediately upon the reading of the journal each morning the
House will proceed to the consideration of those questions.
The motion to suspend the rules was agreed to, and the question recurring upon the resolution, the ayes and noes were ordered, and resulted — ayes 67, noes 10.
So the resolution was adopted.
Mr. Foster, of
Ala., moved to reconsider the vote, with a view to offering an amendment that one hour be allowed to submit resolutions, &c.
Mr. Boyston, of Ark, moved that the motion be laid upon the table, and the motion was agreed to.
On motion of
Mr. Jones, of Tenn, the
House went into secret session.
