| 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 --NINETEENTH DAY--MONDAY, May 23, 1864.
OPEN SESSION.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to appropriations to meet the expenditures of the Government; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Garland, so much of the communication as relates to the impressment law was referred to the Special Committee on Impressments.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed bills of the following titles, viz:
Page 84 | Page image
rations and the privilege of purchasing clothing from the Quartermaster's Department, approved February 17, 1864; and
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 39) "to amend the several acts in regard to chaplains;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 14) "to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide an invalid corps,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 9) for the relief of Green T. Hill; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Claims.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 32) "to authorize the appointment of general officers with temporary rank and command, and to define and limit the power of assigning officers to commands;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 40) "to amend the act to allow commissioned officers of the Army rations and the privilege of purchasing clothing from the Quartermaster's Department, approved seventeenth February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 41) "to provide for the appointment of a disbursing clerk in the War Department;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Barksdale introduced
A bill "to amend an act entitled 'An act to organize forces to serve during the war,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Singleton presented a communication from Wm. H. Cody relative to telegraphic operations throughout the Confederacy; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Orr introduced
A bill "to repeal the acts granting exemptions from military service:"
which was read a first, and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. J. T. Leach introduced
A joint resolution "in relation to the war and in favor of peace by negotiation."
Mr. Foote moved to refer the joint resolution to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Heiskell moved to lay the joint resolution on the table.
Mr. J. T. Leach demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered.
Yeas: Anderson, Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Blandford,
Page 85 | Page image
Boyce, Bradley, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clopton, Colyar, Conrad, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Dupré, Farrow, Foster, Funsten, Gaither, Gholson, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Lyon, Machen, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Miller, Montague, Morgan, Murray, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Rives, Rogers, Russell, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, Singleton, J: M. Smith, Staples, Swan, Villeré, Welsh, Whitfield, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Akin, Bell, Cruikshank, Echols, Foote, Fuller, A. H. Garland, R. K. Garland, Gilmer, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, Marshall, Ramsay, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Smith of Alabama, Triplett, and Turner.
So the motion to lay on the table prevailed.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from Hon. Charles F. Collier. announcing his purpose to withdraw from the contest for the representation of the Fourth Congressional district of Virginia in the present Congress; which was laid upon the table.
Mr. J. M. Leach submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the justice and expediency of exempting from the tithe tax all persons who cultivate rented lands, and also all persons who do not employ slave labor: Provided, That such persons produce no surplus, but only a support; and report by bill or otherwise;
which was adopted.
Mr. Gilmer presented the petition of N. E. Scales, major and quartermaster, Wilcox's division, asking relief from liabilities incurred by loss of papers; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Ramsay submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the propriety of increasing the pay of marshals, and report by bill or otherwise;
which was adopted.
Mr. J. T. Leach introduced.
A bill "to provide for State defense during the war;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Logan presented the memorial of sundry citizens, asking the establishment of a mail route from Rutherford, N. C., to Spartanburg, S. C.; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. Logan introduced
A bill "to amend the forty-eighth chapter of an act passed at the fourth session of the First Congress, regulating the granting of furloughs;"
which was read a first and second time.
Mr. Logan moved to suspend the rule requiring the bill to be referred to a committee; which motion was lost, and, on motion of Mr. Miles, the bill was referred to the Committee on the Medical Department.
Mr. Logan introduced
A bill "to increase the pay of the private soldiers in the service of the Confederate States of America;"
Page 86 | Page image
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Witherspoon introduced
A joint resolution, "of thanks to the officers and men of the Twenty-first, Twenty-fifth, and Twenty-seventh regiments of South Carolina Volunteers;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Menees introduced
A bill "to amend an act entitled 'An act to organize forces to serve during the war,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Atkins submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to report a bill amending the act approved seventeenth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, "to organize forces to serve during the war," so as to repeal that feature exempting the owners of farms having thereon fifteen able-bodied working hands.
Mr. Pugh moved to refer the bill to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Upon which motion Mr. Atkins demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Baldwin, Blandford, Eli M. Bruce, Chilton, Chrisman, Clopton, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Dupré, Echols, Farrow, Foster, Funsten, Gaither, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Hartridge, Holliday, Johnston, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, Miles, Montague, Morgan, Perkins, Pugh, Ramsay, Read, Rogers, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, W. E. Smith, Smith of Alabama, Staples, Swan, Triplett, Villeré, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Atkins, Barksdale, Bell, Bradley, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers Colyar Foote, A. H. Garland, R. K. Garland, Hanly, Heiskell, Hilton, Holder, Keeble, J. M. Leach, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miller, Murray, Russell, Singleton, J. M. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Turner, Welsh, and Whitfield.
So the motion to refer prevailed.
On motion of Mr. Sexton, leave of absence was granted his colleague, Mr. Branch (detained from his seat by indisposition).
Mr. Heiskell presented the memorial of J. F. McClure, quartermaster, asking relief from liabilities incurred by loss of papers belonging to his office; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Foote presented a communication from Z. McDaniel, touching the defenses around Richmond with torpedoes; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Also, the claim of Wyatt H. Cardwell for compensation for services as clerk to the Committee on Illegal Seizures. etc.
Mr. Russell presented the account of Henry Exall, architect, for making plans and drawings for flags and seals; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Page 87 | Page image
Mr. De Jarnette introduced
A bill "to suspend the collection of the tax in kind in certain cases;"
which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. De Jarnette submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending, by bill or otherwise, an act approved the seventeenth day of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, entitled "An act to levy additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government," as to relieve from taxation stocks or bonds held by feme soles, widows, and orphans whose only support is the interest or income on said stocks or bonds: Provided, That the amount so exempted from taxation shall not exceed ten thousand dollars to each individual;
which was adopted.
Mr. Baldwin presented the petition of Thos. L. Pleasants, asking a modification of the mode of assessing lands purchased since 1861; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Baldwin submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads inquire into the expediency of authorizing the settlement on principles of equity of the accounts of mail contractors who have been prevented by the public enemy or the casualties of war from performing their contracts;
which was adopted.
Mr. Baldwin submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Rules and Officers of the House report a rule for adoption by this House providing substantially as follows:
On a motion made and seconded to go into secret session the vote shall be taken without debate, and if a majority be found in favor of the secret session, the House shall be cleared and the doors be closed. The matter for which a secret session is desired shall then be discussed, and thereupon the question shall be put, "Shall this matter be considered in secret session?" If upon the vote two-thirds be found for a secret session it shall be held, but otherwise the doors shall again be opened.
Mr. Swan moved to refer the resolution to the Committee on Rules and Officers of the House; which motion prevailed.
Mr. McMullin presented the petition of sundry citizens of Scott County, Va., asking to be relieved from the payment of the tax in kind and in money; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Miller presented the memorial of employees of the Government, asking the privilege of purchasing the necessaries of life from the Government at Government prices; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate has passed a bill (S. 20) to establish a bureau of foreign supplies; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
Mr. Cruikshank, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as correctly enrolled
Page 88 | Page image
And the Speaker signed the same.
Mr. Read moved to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution "in relation to the war and in favor of peace by negotiation" was laid upon the table, and demanded the yeas and nays thereon; which were not ordered, and the motion was lost.
Mr. Hilton, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom had been referred a bill "to increase the pay of the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Confederate States," and a bill "to increase the pay of the noncommissioned officers and privates of the Army of the Confederate States," under a suspension of the rules, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from their further consideration, and that they do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Hilton, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to increase the compensation of the noncommissioned officers and privates of the Army of the Confederate States;" which was read a first and second time.
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the negative.
Mr. Murray moved to amend the bill by striking out after the words "seven dollars per month" the following:
in lieu of the temporary bounty provided by the third section of an act entitled "An act to organize forces to serve during the war," approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four: and the said third section of said act is hereby repealed as to all noncommissioned officers, privates, and musicians who are now living, but shall remain in force as to the representatives of such as have died since the passage of said act.
Mr. Welsh moved the previous question; which was ordered.
The question being on the amendment of Mr. Murray,
Mr. McMullin demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Bell, Boyce, Bradley, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W Bruce, Chilton, Clopton, Colyar, Conrad, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Dupré, Echols, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Fuller Funsten, Gaither, A. H. Garland, R. K. Garland, Gilmer, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton,
Page 89 | Page image
Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, Lyon, Machen, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miller, Montague, Morgan, Murray, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Ramsay, Read, Rives, Rogers, Russell, Sexton, Simpson, Singleton, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Smith of Alabama, Swan, Triplett, Villeré, Welsh, Whitfield, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Blandford, Chambers, Gholson, Miles, and Shewmake.
So the amendment was agreed to.
The bill was then engrossed and read a third time, and the question recurring on its passage,
Mr. Chambers demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Bell, Boyce, Bradley, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clopton, Colyar, Conrad, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Echols, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Fuller, Funsten, A. H. Garland, R. K. Garland, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Miller, Montague, Morgan, Murray, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Ramsay, Read, Rives, Rogers, Russell, Sexton, Simpson, Singleton, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Smith of Alabama, Swan, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Welsh, Whitfield, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Blandford, Dupré, and Shewmake.
So the bill was passed.
Mr. Marshall moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
Mr. Foote moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table; which latter motion prevailed.
And the title was read and agreed to.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, the Secretary of that body; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill (S. 30) to amend an act to impose regulations upon the foreign commerce of the Confederate States to provide for the public defense, approved February 6, 1864; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
Mr. Hilton submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to report to the House a bill which shall provide by taxation a revenue sufficient to pay each noncommissioned officer, private, and musician in the military service the additional compensation of seven dollars per month.
The question being on the adoption of the resolution,
Mr. Hilton demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Boyce, Bradley, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Colyar, Conrad, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Echols,
Page 90 | Page image
Farrow, Foote, Foster, Fuller, Funsten, Gaither, A. H. Garland, R. K. Garland, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Holliday, Keeble, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Miller, Montague, Morgan, Murray, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Ramsay, Read, Rives, Russell, Simpson, Singleton, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Smith of Alabama, Staples, Swan, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Welsh, Whitfield, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Bell, Blandford, Clopton, Dupré, Johnston, and Shewmake.
So the resolution was adopted.
Mr. Lyon, from the Committee on Ways and Means, under a suspension of the rules, reported
A bill "to amend the tax laws;"
which was read a first and second time, postponed, made the special order for Wednesday next, 12 o'clock, and from day to day, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Colyar, from the same committee, submitted a minority report; which, on motion of Mr. Atkins, was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Lyon, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to amend an act approved seventeenth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, entitled 'An act to amend an act entitled "An act to lay taxes for the common defense and carry on the Government of the Confederate States," approved twenty-fourth of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three;'"
which was read a first and second time, postponed, made the special order for Wednesday next immediately after the bill "to amend the tax laws," and from day to day, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Lyon, from the same committee, to whom had been referred
A bill "to amend the law levying a tax in kind,"
reported back the same with the recommendation that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, under a suspension of the rules, submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the thanks of the House of Representatives of the Confederate States are hereby unanimously tendered to the cadets of the Virginia Military Institute and the officers who commanded them for their gallant conduct in the battle of the fifteenth instant, near New Market, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Resolved further, That the Speaker of the House communicate this resolution to the cadets in such form and at such time as may seem to him proper.
Mr. Swan called the question; which was ordered, and the resolution was adopted.
Mr. Heiskell moved that the House resolve itself into secret session.
Pending which,
On motion of Mr. J. M. Leach,
The House adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |