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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journal of the Confederate Congress --FIFTY-FIFTH DAY--THURSDAY, March 19, 1863.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Langdon.
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill (S. 87) to regulate the supplies of clothing to enlisted men of the Navy during the war; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
The Chair laid before the House a bill of the Senate to be entitled "An act to regulate the supplies of clothing to enlisted men of the Navy during the war;" which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., March 18, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
Herewith is transmitted a communication from the Postmaster-General, calling attention to the serious embarrassments in which the postal service is becoming involved under the operation of the act of 11th of October last, which rendered all postmasters, except those appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and all contractors for carrying the mails, their riders and drivers, between the ages of 18 and 45, liable to military duty. In the opinion of the Postmaster-General it will be impracticable to continue the postal service in large districts of our country without some modification of this legislation.
Under present military necessities I am very reluctant to increase the list of exemptions, and were this a case which did not involve a great public interest, would decline to communicate the recommendation to you. In view of the vital importance of maintaining mail communications throughout our country, and the small
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number of persons who appear to be necessary to the continuance of the postal service, I present the communication of the Postmaster-General and commend it to your attention.
Should you concur with me in the propriety of allowing some exemptions for the purpose proposed, I would suggest that it be confined to contractors, to the exclusion of subcontractors, and that the number of drivers be limited so as not to exceed one for (say) every twenty-five miles of service in coaches, and that the whole number of exemptions shall not exceed (say) fifteen hundred.
With these, or similar restrictions, I am of opinion that the rule of subjecting all citizens alike to the performance of their duty in defense of the country might be relaxed in the present case, as being for the interest both of the people at large and their defenders in the field.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion of Mr. Royston,
The House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, again resolved itself into open session.
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have receded from their amendment to the eighteenth amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 11) to provide for the further issue of Treasury notes, and for other purposes.
The Senate have passed a bill (S. 3) to organize the Supreme Court of the Confederate States;
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
Mr. Foote moved that the House take a recess until half past 7 o'clock.
The motion was lost.
Mr. Sexton moved that the House reconsider the vote by which the communication from the President in relation to the exemption of certain post-office officials was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs; which was agreed to, and on motion of Mr. Sexton, the same was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. Foote moved that the rules be suspended to enable him to introduce a bill.
The motion was lost.
Mr. Garnett moved that the House adjourn.
Mr. Foote demanded the yeas and nays.
The demand was not sustained.
The motion was agreed to, and
The House adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow.
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session, went into Committee of the Whole, Mr. Chilton in the Chair, on a bill to lay taxes for the common defense and to carry on the Government of the Confederate States; and having spent some time therein, the committee rose and, through their Chairman, reported that they had had under consideration the matter referred to them and had come to no conclusion thereon.
And on motion of Mr. Foote,
The House went into open session.
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