Proceedings of Congress.
Senate.--The Senate met at 12 o'clock yesterday, in the Virginia Senate Chamber,
Mr. Hunter, of
Virginia, in the chair.
The proceedings were opened with prayer by
the Rev. Dr. J. L. Burrows, of the Baptist Church.
The Senate proceeded to the election of the standing committees, with the following result:
Foreign Affairs--
Messrs Jas L. Orr, chairman;
Waldo P. Johnson,
Louis T. Wigfall,
Wm. E. Simms, and
Allen T. Caperton.
Finance--
Messrs Robt W. Barnwell, chairman;
R. M. T. Hunter,
Thos. J. Semmes,
Wm. A. Graham, and
Robert Jemison, Jr.
Commerce--
Messrs. Wm. S. Oldham, chairman;
Augustus.
E. Maxwell,
Wm. T. Dortch,
Landon C. Haynes, and
Richard W. Walker.
Military Affairs--
Messrs Edward C. Sparrow, chairman;
Louis T. Wigfall,
Henry.
C. Burnett,
Gustavus A. Henry, and
Robert W. Johnson.
Naval Affairs--
Messrs Albert G. Brown, chairman;
Jas M. Baker,
Wm. E. Simms,
Herschel V. Johnson, and
Wm. A. Graham.
Judiciary--
Messrs Benjamin H. Hill, chairman;
Landon C. Haynes,
R. W. Walker,
John W. C. Watson, and
Thos J. Semmes.
Indian Affairs--
Messrs Robert W. Johnson, chairman;
Wm. S. Oldham,
Waldo P. Johnson,
Augustus E. Maxwell, and
Allen T. Caperton.
Post-Offices and Post Roads--
Messrs Chas B. Mitchell, chairman;
Robert Jemison, Jr.,
James M. Baker,
Landon C. Haynes, and
Wm. S. Oldham.
Public Lands--
Messrs James M. Baker, chairman;
G. A. Henry, and
Robert W. Johnson.
Patents--
Messrs Augustus E. Maxwell, chairman;
Benjamin H. Hill, and
Landon C. Haynes.
Claims--
Messrs Henry C. Burnett, chairman;
James M. Baker, and
Waldo P. Johnson.
Territories--
Messrs Louis T. Wigfall, chairman;
Chas B. Mitchell, and
Robert W. Barnwell.
Accounts--
Messrs A. T. Caperton, chairman;
Wm. T. Dortch, and
Wm. E. Simms.
Printing--
Messrs J. W. C. Watson,
James L. Orr, and
Landon C. Haynes.
Engrossment and Enrollment--
Messrs Wm. T. Dortch, chairman;
A. T. Caperton, and
Augustus E. Maxwell.
On motion of
Mr Orr the documents accompanying the
President's message were referred to appropriate committees, and two hundred extra copies of the message were ordered to be printed.
On motion of
Mr. Sparrow the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.--Prayer was offered by
Rev. Dr. Duncan, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Chilton, of
Alabama, submitted a resolution affecting the reported disloyalty of
the Hon. Williamson R. W. Cobb, of that State, and called for an investigation as to the truth of the charges which had been alleged against him through the public prints, &c. The resolution was adopted — yeas 69, nays 6--and a committee of five appointed to apprise Mr. C. of the charges, if possible, and to investigate the case.
Mr. Cruiksbank, of
Alabama, offered a bill providing for the repeal of the act suspending the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus, which was appropriately referred.
Mr. Pugh submitted a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the propriety of allowing officers of the army and navy to purchase one ration and draw another from the
Government, which was adopted.
Mr. Garland, of Ark, introduced a bill to provide for the redemption of old issues of Treasury notes held by certain Indian tribes.
Also, a bill and memorial relating to rations for officers.
Referred.
Mr. Hartridge, of
Ga., introduced a bill amendatory of the act to levy additional taxes for the common defence and support of Government.
Referred.
Mr. Hartridge also submitted a resolution as to whether the provisions of the act regulating the exportation of cotton, tobacco, and other products, apply to vessels running the blockade which belong to the Confed-States.
Adopted.
Mr. Echols, of
Ga., introduced a bill to increase the salaries of the
civil officers of the
Government fifty per cent., and of the officers and soldiers in the army 100 per cent., both to take effect from the 1st day of May, 1864. Referred.
Mr. Perkins introduced a bill to organize a corps of scouts and signal guards, to facilitate communication with the Trans-Mississippi Department.
Referred.
Mr. Welsh, of
Miss., submitted a resolution to prevent frauds by buying Treasury notes east of the
Mississippi, and selling them west of that river.
Agreed to.
Mr. Ramsey, of
N. C., introduced resolutions of thanks to the 38th and 34th regiments North Carolina troops for their promptness and unanimity in re-enlisting for the war.
Mr. J. M. Leach, of
N. C., offered a bill amendatory of the currency bill passed 17th February, 1864, to place the five-dollar notes on the same basis as the new issue.
Mr. E. M. Bruce submitted an amendment, offered as a substitute, that it was inexpedient to relieve the notes of the tax provided by law. Both were referred.
Mr. Murray, of Tenn, made a motion that a joint resolution of thanks be tendered
Gen. Forrest and the brave officers and men of his command for their successful campaign in
West Tennessee and
Kentucky; which was adopted.
Mr. Foote introduced a bill to provide against the enjoyment of the rights of citizenship of foreigners who have taken no part in the present struggle.
Mr. Baldwin offered a resolution inquiring into the expediency of providing for the enrollment of invalid officers and privates, permanently disabled, in the reserve forces.
Referred.
Also, a bill amendatory of the act imposing tax on wool.
Referred.
Mr. McWillis, delegate from
Arizona, presented a memorial of certain claims, &c. --Referred.
Mr. R. C. Bondinot introduced a bill for the relief of the
Cherokee nation.
Congress then adjourned to meet again at 12 o'clock to-day.
