The
Senate met at 12 o'clock M., and was called to order by
Mr. Hunter, of
Virginia,
President pro tempors. The proceedings were opened with prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Burrows, of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Clay presented joint resolutions of the Legislature of the State of
Alabama in relation to taxation and Confederate currency; in relation to the enforcement of the conscript laws of the
Confederate States; in relation to the exemption of certain persons from the payment of the
Confederate tax in kind; and in relation to the exemption of families of soldiers whose support is derived from white labor alone, from the payment of the tax in kind.
The resolutions were read, laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Maxwell, of
Fla., introduced a bill to be entitled an act to amend "An act to provide a mode of authenticating claims for money against the
Confederate States not otherwise provided for," approved 30th August, 1861. Read and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Semmes, of
La., from the Committee of Finance, reported a bill to be entitled "An act to provide for a new issue of Treasury notes, and for funding all such notes now outstanding." Ordered to be placed upon the calendar and printed.
Mr. Semmes, from the same committee reported a bill to be entitled "A bill to repeal an act entitled an act supplementary to an act to provide for the funding and further issue of Treasury notes," approved 30th April, 1863. Transferred to the secret legislative calendar.
The Senate then resumed, as the next business in order, the consideration of the
House bill to put an end to the exemption from military service of those who have furnished substitutes.
Mr. Orr addressed the Senate in opposition to the bill, and offered a substitute therefore.
Mr. Johnson, of
Ga., moved to postpone the consideration of the bill until Wednesday.
Several amendments were offered.
Mr. Johnson, of
Ga., moved to print the bill and amendments.
Agreed to.
Pending the discussion of the question to postpone the consideration of the bill, the Senate resolved into secret executive session.
The doors being reopened,
Messrs. Mitchell of
Ark., and
Burnett of
Ky., were severally granted leaves of absence.
The Senate then adjourned.
The
House was called to order at 12 o'clock.
Mr. Dargan, of Ala, presented a bill entitled an act to receive into the service of the
Confederate States that portion of the population of the States of
Alabama,
Mississippi,
Louisiana, and
Florida, known as and called Creoles.
Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Smith, of
Ala., offered a resolution that the Judiciary Committee inquire whether or not the copyright law extended to telegraphic dispatches and to newspapers containing ordinary news paragraphs; and if so, to report a bill to repeal so much of said law. Agreed to.
Mr. Clopton, of
Ala., presented several resolutions adopted by the Legislature of his State, also, a bill to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of slaves.
Mr. Foster, of Ala, offered a resolution that the Military Committee inquire into the expediency of instructing
Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler and
Brig.-Gen. Stephen D. Lee to require their Quartermasters to adjust the claims of citizens of the Northern District of
Alabama for supplies furnished their commands.
Referred to the
Committee on Quartermaster and Commissary Departments.
Mr. Curry, of
Ala., offered several resolutions adopted by the Legislature of his State; which were appropriately referred.
Mr. Chilton, of
Ala., offered a resolution declaring it expedient to exempt from the tax in kind all produce raised by white labor, and also defining other matters which should be exempted from the operations of the tax law.
Mr. Hanley, of
Ark., introduced a bill to provide for ascertaining and settling accounts against the
Government in the Trans. Mississippi Department.
Referred.
Mr. Garland, of
Ark., introduced a bill to suppress abuses in the
Quartermaster and Commissary Departments.
Mr. Clark, of
Ga., offered a resolution that the Military Committee Inquire into alleged abuses in commutation in the Department of War in this city, to.
Mr. Singleton, of introduced a memorial from the legislature of his State, which, without reading, was referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Clapp, of
Miss., introduced a bill to provide for wounded and disabled officers and soldiers an seylum--to be called the
Veteran Soldiers' Home, which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Miles, of
S. C., introduced a communication from the
Governor of his State, with a report of a committee of the Legislature, on the subject of abuses in impressments.
Mr. Foote, of
Tenn., offered a resolution that the Military Committee inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill to provide for mounting soldiers in the cavalry service at the expense of the
Government.
Mr. Heiskell, of
Tenn., presented a bill to restore the efficiency of the army; also a bill for the benefit of citizens and non-combatants seized by the enemy.
Referred.
Mr. Atkins, of
Tenn., offered a resolution, that the Military Committee inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill providing for the appointment of a Quartermaster and Commissary, with the rank of
Lieut. Colonel, for each division of cavalry.
Mr. Sexton introduced a resolution of inquiry, whether there is any law authorizing
Brigadier-Generals to detail companies of cavalry as body guards; also a resolution tendering the courtesies of the
House to
Major Gen. John B. Hood.
The call of the roll of the States having been completed, the calendar was called, when the
House was found without a quorum, and on motion adjourned.
