Congressional Summary.
In the
Senate, Thursday, the bill increasing the pay of non-commissioned officers and privates of the army was, after further debate, postponed until the next session — yeas 9, naye 8.
The amendment of the
House to the substitute of the Senate for the
House bill ascending the Exemption act was concurred in. The act, as thus finally passed, repeals the clauses of the Exemption relating to overseers, and provider that "for the police and management of slaves one person shall be exempted on each farm or plantation, the sole property of a minor, a person of unsound mind, a
feme gale or a person absent from home, in the military or naval service of the
Confederacy, on which there are twenty or more slaves."--There are several
parvises, to guard against the of this exemption, one of which is, that "during the period of such exemption there shall be paid annually into the public treasury by the owner of such slaves the sum of $500." The act further exempts such other persons as the
President shall be satisfied ought to be exempted to secure the support of the population remaining at home; and also all State officers whom the
Governor of any State may claim to have exempted for the due administration of the
Government and laws thereof.
In all other respects the act of last session remains in force.
The
House amendments to the bill to provide and organize a
general staff for armise in the field were concurred in.
The following
House bills were passed without amendment:
A bill to establish a Provisional Navy — ayes 14, ness 4.
A bill to provide for the appointment of military storekeepers.
Bills in relation to the Congressional elections in
Tennessee and
Louisiana.
The Senate took a recess until 7 o' clock P. M.
In the
House joint resolutions of thanks to
Maj. J
T. Brent and the officers and men under his command, for gallant conduct to capturing the
Federal gunboat
Indianola, was passed.
Also, joint resolution of thanks to
Maj. Oscar M. Walk and command, for the signal victory over the naval forces of the
United States at Subine Pass, resulting in the dispersing of the enemy's fleet and the capture of two gunboats.
Also, joint resolution of thanks to
Gen. G. T. Beauregard and command, for the signal repulse of the enemy's iron-clad fleet before
Charleston, on the 7th of April, 1863.
The
House passed a bill to prevent the sale, exchange, or other disposition of notes, bonds, &c., under the authority of the
United States.--The bill imposes a fine of not less than $1,000, or six months imprisonment, as the Jury or
Judge may determine.
A bill to facilitate the direction of frauds in the
Quartermaster and Commissary Departments was also passed.
