The
Senate yesterday was called to order at 11 o'clock A. M.
The Chair laid before the Senate a communication from
Col. Gorgas,
Chief of Ordnance, calling the attention of Congress to the fact that an appropriation was necessary for the use of his Bureau, it being now some $20,000,000 in arrears.
Some House bills were taken up and appropriately referred, and, on motion, the Senate resolved itself into secret session on the currency bill.
The
House convened at 11 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr. Ryland.
A series of resolutions on the subject of secret sessions, and proposing to consider all questions relating to the increase of the army in open session hereafter, was offered by
Mr. Barksdale, of
Miss.
On motion of
Mr. Jones, of Tenn, these resolutions were laid on the table.
Mr. Smith, of
N. C., introduced a bill to increase the compensation of non-commissioned officers and privates in the army 100 per cent., and moved to suspend the rule, with a view to take up the bill for consideration.
The rules were suspended by a vote of 56 to 15.
On motion of
Mr. Boyce, of
S. C., the bill was then committed to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
A motion of
Mr. Gray, of
Texas, to reconsider the vote by which the bill fixing the time of the meeting of the next Congress was passed, was lost by the following vote-- ayes 30, noes 43.
Mr. Boyce. of
S. C., offered a resolution that the
President be respectfully requested to inform the
House whether any officers of the regular or provisional army, or navy, appointed during the existence of the
Provisional Government, and confirmed by the Provisional Congress, and whose appointments have not been confirmed by the
Congress of the
Permanent Government in accordance with the
Constitution, are still in office; and if so, to furnish a list of such officers.
On motion of
Mr. Swann, of Tenn, this resolution was laid on the table by a vote of ayes 50, noes 20.
Mr. Miles, of
S. C., introduced a bill to provide uniform rates of compensation to mechanics and laborers in the employment of the Executive Department of the
Government, which was referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Miles also introduced a bill in response to a resolution on the subject, to establish a Bureau of Inspection and Censorship, which was placed on the calendar.
Mr. Foote, of
Tenn., offered a resolution that the Military Committee be instructed to bring in a bill doubling the pay of soldiers in the field.
Mr. Garland, of
Ark., moved to amend the resolution by adding the following:--"And that said committee inquire into the expediency of paying our soldiers for the next six months in
gold and
silver." The amendment was agreed to.
The question then recurred upon the adoption of the resolution as amended, when it was defeated by a decisive vote.
Mr. Foote also offered a resolution on the subject of secret sessions, which, under the rules, lies over; and one in relation to the reorganization of the army, which was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Baldwin, of
Va., offered a resolution, which was agreed to, requesting the
President to furnish the
House with copies of the orders, correspondence, &c., in relation to the trial of
Wm. E. Coffman, arrested by order of
Brig. Gen. J. D. Imboden.
Mr. Arrington, of
N. C., submitted a resolution to instruct the Military Committee to inquire into the expediency of increasing the pay of soldiers to $30 per month, which was adopted by a vote of ayes 51, noes 8.
Mr. Clopton, of Ala, offered a joint resolution of thanks to the
Alabama troops who have re enlisted for the war. The rules were suspended and the resolutions passed.
On motion of
Mr. Gartrell, of
Ga., the
House went into secret session.
