| 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 --TWENTY-FIRST DAY--FRIDAY, December 2, 1864.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Burrows.
The House resumed the consideration of the unfinished business; which was the resolution of Mr. Foote on the subject of a convention of the States.
The Chair decided that the point of order raised by Mr. Foote, viz, "that the amendment of Mr. Clark was not germane to the resolution," was well taken.
Mr. Blandford moved to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. Foote demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Batson, Baylor, Blandford, Bradley, Branch, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Cluskey, Darden, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Gaither, Garland, Gholson, Hanly, Hartridge, Hatcher, Herbert, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Kenner, Lyon, Machen, McCallum, Menees, Miller, Montague, Moore, Orr, Perkins, Read, Rogers Russell, Sexton, W. E. Smith, Snead, Staples, Triplett, Vest, Villeré, Welsh, Whitfield, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Bell, Boyce, Colyar, Cruikshank, Foote, Fuller, Gilmer, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, Logan, McMullin, Ramsay, and Smith of North Carolina.
So the motion to lay on the table prevailed.
Mr. Foote introduced
A bill "to regulate the pay and mileage of members and the compensation of officers of the Senate and House of Representatives;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Pay and Mileage.
Mr. Colyar introduced
A bill "to more effectually protect the Confederate States in the payment of claims;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments and Military Transportation.
Mr. Colyar presented the memorial of E. A. Freeman relative to the pay of clerks; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Page 318 | Page image
Mr. Atkins offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That it be referred to the Special Committee on Conscription to inquire into the expediency of restricting the term of service of an enrolling officer in any county, parish, or district to not longer than six months, and that they report by bill or otherwise; and that the committee further institute such investigations respecting the manner in which those officers have discharged their duties, and that to this end the committee are authorized to send for persons and papers.
Mr. Sexton introduced
A bill "regulating the compensation of postmasters, special agents, and route agents;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. Herbert offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Whereas a quantity of cotton has been purchased in the Trans-Mississippi Department by the authority of General E. Kirby Smith from the citizens of Texas and other States, under the direction and supervision of an institution known as the "Cotton Bureau" or "Office," for which the said citizens have never received any remuneration: Therefore.
Be it resolved, That the Committee on Claims be instructed to inquire into the transactions of said "bureau or office" and report by bill or otherwise for the relief of the said citizens.
Mr. Herbert introduced
A bill "to authorize the .agent of the Treasury in the Trans-Mississippi Department to receive money on deposit, and to draft upon the Treasurer in Richmond for the same;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, a bill "to regulate prizes in the case of captures of vessels;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Branch introduced
A bill "to provide for the settlement of certain matters of account growing out of purchases of property, as alleged by the purchasers, for the use of the Government, by Payne and Company, in the State of Texas;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Staples offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill so amending the act "providing for the establishment and payment of claims for property taken or informally impressed," approved June fourteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, as to extend the provisions of said act to claims for property taken or impressed subsequent to the passage of said act. and prior to the first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five.
Also, the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill allowing transportation to all officers and soldiers to whom furloughs shall be granted from the Army.
Also, the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire and report whether any and what additional legislation is necessary to protect from arrest and conscription persons who have been discharged from the military service by medical examining boards in consequence of permanent disability.
Page 319 | Page image
The Chair appointed Mr. Herbert of Texas a member of the Committee on Claims and Mr. Baylor of Texas a member of the Committee on Patents.
Mr. De Jarnette presented the memorial of the mayor and common council of the town of Fredericksburg, asking that the town be relieved from taxation; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. De Jarnette introduced
A joint resolution "to relieve the town of Fredericksburg, Virginia, from taxation;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Johnston offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means inquire into the expediency of extending the period within which holders of the "old issue of Treasury notes" are allowed to exchange the same for the "new issue of Treasury notes," and consequently the propriety of postponing the incidence of or of repealing the tax proposed by existing laws to be imposed upon the said old issue on the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five.
Also, the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce inquire into the expediency of providing by law that all mechanics and other skilled laborers who shall come Into this Confederacy during the present war shall be exempt, during its continuance, or for a limited time, from all military service.
Mr. Wickham offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Claims inquire into the expediency of authorizing the payment of the claim of Mary Weaver for damages sustained by her by reason of the burning of her house and property by order of the military authorities of the Confederate States.
Also, the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the committee on Claims inquire into the expediency of authorizing the payment of the claim of John Hughes for damage sustained by him by reason of the burning of his house and other property by order of the military authorities of the Confederate States.
Mr. Wickham presented certain papers in support of the claims of Mary Weaver and John Hughes; which were referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Wickham presented the memorial of the James River Canal Packet Company, asking increased compensation for transporting the mail; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. Wickham offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the President be requested to inform this House whether at this time there are in the employment of the Confederate States slaves impressed exceeding one in five of the male slaves between the ages of eighteen and forty-five of one owner, and whether any slaves have been impressed and are now in service, on a basis of calculation including female slaves, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and if such impressments have been made by what authority it has been done, and whether the credit directed to be allowed in the impressment of slaves by the provisions of the act of February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, has been allowed.
Mr. Gholson introduced
A bill "to regulate the business of conscription;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Special Committee on Conscription.
Page 320 | Page image
Mr. Gholson presented the memorial of James H. Cox and Augustus H. Drewry, praying increase of the rent of certain property; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Also, the memorial of John T. Robertson, praying relief from taxation on certain property; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Gholson offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary make the following inquiries and report:
Mr. Holliday presented the petition of professors in the Naval School, asking increase of compensation; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Also, the petition of Lieut. Col. W. Allan, chief ordnance, Virginia, asking to be relieved from responsibility for money stolen from him under certain conditions; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Holliday offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means inquire into the expediency of amending the act "to provide for the compensation of noncommissioned officers, soldiers, sailors, and marines On detailed service," so as to embrace employees in the several Departments of the Government.
Mr. Baldwin presented the memorial of Joseph A. Waddell, asking renewal of bonds destroyed by the enemy; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. McMullin offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That a joint committee of the two Houses be appointed to inquire into the expediency of memorializing the governors and legislatures of the different States to fix a maximum upon all agricultural, manufacturing, and mechanical articles, and report the result of their action to this House.
Mr. Baldwin demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Atkins, Batson, De Jarnette, Ewing, Keeble, Lester, Machen, McCallum, McMullin, Montague, Staples, Vest, Welsh, and Wilkes.
Nays: Akin, Anderson, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Baylor, Bell, Blandford, Boyce, Bradley, Branch, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Clark, Clopton, Cluskey, Colyar, Conrow, Cruikshank, Darden, Dickinson, Dupré Elliott, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Gaither, Garland, Gholson, Gilmer, Hanly, Hartridge, Hatcher, Herbert, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Kenner, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, Menees, Miles, Moore, Orr, Perkins, Ramsay, Read, Russell, Sexton, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith
Page 321 | Page image
of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Swan, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Whitfield, Wickham, and Witherspoon.
So the resolution was not adopted.
Mr. Montague presented a communication from Maj. J. B. Cary relative to the pay of officers on duty in Richmond; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Miller offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Whereas it is known to many members of this House that just and well-founded complaints exist in our Army among both the officers and soldiers in the field and in hospitals that payment for their services is long delayed, irregular, and uncertain, and that the supply of clothing, especially of blankets, is inadequate for their wants: Therefore,
Be it resolved, That it is the imperative duty of this House to inquire into the cause of these evils and remedy the same by further legislation, if necessary, or by such other action as may be efficient.
That this subject-matter be referred to a special committee of five members to make thorough examination thereof and to promptly report what action ought to be taken therein.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary, as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed, without amendment, a joint resolution of this House (H. R. 19) of thanks to Gen. N. B. Forrest and the officers and men of his command.
They have passed bills of the following titles, viz:
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
The President of the Confederate States has notified the Senate that he did, on the 28th ultimo, approve and sign acts of the following titles, viz:
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 85) "declaring four per cent bonds and certificates therefor receivable in payment of taxes on incomes and profits and salaries for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four;" which was read a first and seconal time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 84) "to regulate, for a limited period, the compensation of the officers, clerks, and employees of the civil departments of the Government in the city of Richmond;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
On motion of Mr. Russell, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, resolved itself into open session.
Mr. Foote moved that when the House adjourn it adjourn to meet again at 7.30 o'clock to-night.
Mr. Kenner moved that the House do now adjourn; which latter motion prevailed, and
The Chair announced that the House stood adjourned until 12 o'clock to-morrow.
Page 322 | Page image
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
Resumed the consideration of the unfinished business, viz:
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. Kenner,
The House resolved itself into open session.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |