| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journal of the Confederate Congress --WEDNESDAY, September 10, 1862.
OPEN SESSION.
On motion by Mr. Mitchel,
Ordered, That when the Senate adjourn it be to meet at 12 o'clock m., to-morrow, in the Chamber heretofore occupied by them, in the northeastern part of the Capitol building.
Page 271 | Page image
Mr. Lewis submitted a resolution declaring the objects of the present war; which was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
On motion by Mr. Simms,
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the joint resolution (S. 13) providing for the presentation of medals or badges to such officers and soldiers in the Confederate States Army as have, or may hereafter, distinguish themselves by deeds of personal gallantry on the battlefield; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate.
Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
Ordered, That the vote on ordering the joint resolution (S. 13) last mentioned to its engrossment and third reading be reconsidered.
The said resolution being again under consideration,
On motion by Mr. Semmes, to amend the resolution by inserting in line 32, after the word "soldiers," the words "including officers of the staff and line,"
It was determined in the affirmative.
No further amendment being made, the resolution was reported to the Senate and the amendment was concurred in.
Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.
The said resolution was read the third time.
Resolved, That it pass, and that the title thereof be as aforesaid.
Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (S. 77) to authorize medals to be given to the officers, noncommissioned officers, and men for gallantry on the field.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
Ordered, That it be postponed indefinitely.
Mr. Haynes submitted the following resolution for consideration:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law, under proper sanctions, that no military commander, within his department or elsewhere, within the Confederate States, shall suspend or abridge the freedom of speech or of the press, and fixing suitable penalties for the abuse of such freedom when exercised to disturb the public peace, or incite to domestic violence or rebellion against the Confederate States.
Resolved, That said committee further inquire into the propriety of declaring by law, that during the time the writ of habeas corpus shall be suspended by Congress, no citizen of the Confederate States, who has been, or may hereafter be, arrested and imprisoned, and who is not part of the land or naval forces, or of the militia in actual service, shall be tried or punished otherwise than upon presentment or indictment by a grand jury; and requiring such commander, or other person making arrests, to set forth in the order of the arrest the cause and nature of the accusation against such citizen, with reasonable certainty, and report the same to the President, with the names of all citizens arrested, [and] the places of their confinement, to be laid by him before the two Houses of Congress at the commencement of each session.
Resolved, That martial law is unknown to the Constitution of the Confederate States, and that the declaration thereof, in any department, suspending the civil jurisdiction of the State and Confederate courts, can find apology only on the ground of paramount necessity for the public safety; and that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the propriety of reporting a bill to the Senate to abolish it; and further to inquire whether Congress has power by law to protect those persons against actions in damages for alleged wrongs who have, bona fide, and in the exercise of a sound discretion, proclaimed and exercised martial law within the Confederate States.
Page 272 | Page image
After debate,
On motion by Mr. Haynes,
Ordered, That it lie on the table.
On motion by Mr. Preston,
The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill (S. 62) to amend an act entitled "An act to exempt certain persons from enrollment for service in the Army of the Confederate States," approved 21st April, 1862.
The question being on agreeing to the amendment proposed to the bill by Mr. Dortch, viz: After the word "post-office," in line 7, to insert the words "and justices of the peace."
After debate,
On motion by Mr. Henry,
The Senate adjourned until to-morrow morning at 12 o'clock.
SECRET SESSION.
On motion by Mr. Simms,
Ordered, That the message of the President of the Confederate States, transmitting a communication from the Secretary of the Navy showing the number of officers in the naval service, the number appointed from civil life, etc., be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
On motion by Mr. Simms,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |