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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 --SEVENTEENTH DAY--MONDAY, November 28, 1864.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Burrows.
Mr. Logan introduced
A bill "to facilitate the collection of claims due deceased officers and soldiers;"
which was read a first and second time and laid upon the table.
On motion of Mr. Ramsay, leave of absence was granted his colleague, Mr. J. T. Leach (called home by sickness in his family).
Mr. Witherspoon offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the propriety of permitting soldiers in active service who have attained the age of forty-five years to be transferred to the reserve forces of their respective States; that they report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Miles offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting by law free transportation home and back to all officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates of the Army when traveling on furloughs of indulgence.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill "for the appointment of a judge-advocate-general for the armies of the Confederate States, and for the more speedy disposition of causes arising before military courts and courts-martial:"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Miles offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so framing a tax law as to exempt from taxation all persons whose property does not exceed one thousand dollars; of exempting from taxation all persons in the military and naval service whose property does not exceed two thousand dollars, and of imposing upon the property of all persons in the military and naval service, when such property does not exceed four thousand dollars, a rate of taxation fifty per cent less than that imposed upon similar property of the same amount owned by persons not in said service.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill "to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide for local defense and special service,' approved August twenty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and an act entitled 'An act to authorize the formation companies for local defense.' approved October thirteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Miles offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of giving by law rations to naval storekeepers.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill "to consolidate and amend the laws relative to impressments:"
which was read a first and second time.
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Mr. Miles moved that the bill be referred to a select committee of one from each State and printed.
Mr. E. M. Bruce moved to amend the motion of Mr. Miles by striking out "a select committee of one from each State" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "the Committee on Ways and Means."
The amendment was lost, and the motion of Mr. Miles prevailed.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill "more effectually to prevent and punish absenteeism and desertion in the Army;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill "to increase the number of ordnance sergeants in the Provisional Army;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Ayer offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Claims to inquire and report by bill or otherwise on the expediency and necessity of remodeling, reorganizing, and establishing by law the Army Intelligence Office, with a view to promote and enlarge its efficiency and usefulness.
Mr. Ayer introduced
A joint resolution "to cancel and return the meat bonds given for exemption of overseers for whose, exemption five hundred dollars had previously been paid to the Government;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Boyce offered the following resolution; which lies over two days under the rule:
Resolved, That during the remainder of the present session no member shall speak more than once nor longer than twenty minutes on any question that may arise in the progress of the proceedings of this House.
Mr. Simpson presented the memorial of sundry citizens of Abbeville district, S.C., asking relief from the system of impressments; which was referred to the Select Committee on Impressments.
Mr. Farrow presented a communication from Dr. John H. Davis, on the subject of "exemptions from military service;" which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Colyar offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Quartermaster's and [Commissary Departments and Military] Transportation inquire into and report all the facts in connection with that portion of the late message of the governor of Georgia which says:
"The Confederate Government owes the road (Western and Atlantic Railroad), as will be seen by the superintendent's report, the sum of $975,774.60. I have made every effort in my power to collect this, but have not been successful. I trust the Government will not much longer delay payment, which has been witheld from time to time under various pretexts,"
And that the committee specially report the pretexts and the remedy, if the Government is in default.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill (S. 98) to amend an act to establish the judicial courts of the Confederate States of America, approved March 16, 1861; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
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Mr. Foote offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Government and people of the Confederate States have as deep an interest in the firm and inflexible maintenance of what is known as the Monroe doctrine as the Government and people of the United States can possibly have; that their right to assert and maintain that doctrine if they choose to do so is unquestionable; but that whilst in consideration of the early recognition of their independence on the part of the Government of the United States and ample justice being done them in other respects they would doubtless recognize it as their true policy to unite in support of said doctrine, yet it is equally true that if recognition by the United States shall be much longer delayed it might become the true policy of said Government and people of the Confederate States to consent to the yielding up of the great principle embodied in the Monroe doctrine in consideration of other essential advantages connected with their own welfare and safety being effectually guaranteed to them.
Pending which,
The morning hour expired.
The Chair laid before the House a bill of the Senate (S. 98) "to amend an act to establish the judicial courts of the Confederate States of America, approved March sixteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
On motion of Mr. Russell, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, resolved itself into open session.
On motion of Mr. Holliday,
The House adjourned.
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
Resumed consideration of the unfinished business; which was the bill "to Suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in certain cases for a limited period."
Pending which,
On motion of Mr. Holliday,
The House resolved itself into open session.
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