| 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 --FORTY-SECOND DAY--THURSDAY, December 29, 1864.
OPEN SESSION.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 143) "to authorize the employment of instructors for the acting midshipmen of the Navy, and to regulate their pay;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 144) "making an appropriation for the erection of additional buildings at Drewry's Bluff for the accommodation of acting midshipmen;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 145) "to authorize the appointment of naval constructors in the Provisional Navy., and to fix their pay;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Page 395 | Page image
Also, a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
To the House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America:
When the act to regulate the pay and mileage of members and the compensation of officers of the Senate and House of Representatives was transmitted to me I found, upon examination of its provisions, some features inconsistent with the law for the organization of the Treasury Department and the general policy of protecting the Treasury by checks and balances, so as to restrain officials by the records of the Department itself.
I did not, however, feel constrained to return the bill with objections, believing that every desirable end could be obtained by bringing the matter to your attention and recommending amendatory legislation. It was therefore signed on the 24th instant.
I invite you to a special examination of the clause by which the depositaries of the Treasury are directed to honor and pay drafts on the Treasury made by members of Congress.
For a fuller exposition of the departure which that provision makes from the wise rules and regulations established by law for the protection of the Treasury, I refer you to the annexed letter of the Secretary of the Treasury.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Richmond, Va., December 28, 1864.
The communication and accompanying letter were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The House resumed the consideration of the unfinished business, viz:
The report from the Committee on Rules.
On motion of Mr. Kenner, the report was postponed, in order to proceed with the call of other committees.
On motion of Mr. J. M. Smith, leave of absence was granted his colleague, Mr. Blandford (detained from his seat by indisposition).
On motion of Mr. J. M. Smith, leave of absence was granted his colleague, Mr. Hartridge (called from his seat to look after his family, now in the city of Savannah, which is occupied by the public enemy).
Mr. Dupré, from the Committee on Printing, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 93) "to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide for the safe custody, printing, publication, and distribution of the laws, and to provide for the appointment of an additional clerk in the Department of Justice,' approved August fifth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause, which reads as follows, viz:
"That the sixth section of the above-recited act be so amended as to increase the number of copies of the laws allowed to the War Department, and that one hundred additional copies of all the laws heretofore published, or which may hereafter be published, shall be furnished to the officer charged with the distribution of the laws in the War Department, to be by him distributed, under the direction of the Secretary of War,"
and insert in lieu thereof the following, viz:
"That in addition to the acts of Congress directed to be distributed by the act of the fifth of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, above recited, one hundred copies of all the acts heretofore published and hereafter to be published shall be delivered to the War Department; and also one copy of said acts shall be furnished by the Department of Justice to each of the following officers: The judges and judge advocates of the military courts of the Confederate States, the commissioners of the district courts of the Confederate States, and the judges of the supreme and inferior or circuit (or district) courts of the several States."
Page 396 | Page image
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the negative.
The amendment of the committee was agreed to.
The bill as amended was read a third time and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Read, from the Committee on the Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments, reported
A bill "to increase the pay of matrons of hospitals;"
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.
The bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Read, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the memorial of L. H. Prosser, assistant surgeon, Provisional Army Confederate States of America, relative to the supply of clothing and provisions for officers of the Army, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it be referred to the Special Committee on Soldiers' Pay; which was agreed to.
Mr. Lyon, from the Committee on Ways and Means, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 147) "to provide for the transfer of certain appropriations," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do pass.
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the negative.
The bill was read a third time.
The question recurring and being put,
Shall the bill pass?
Mr. Clark demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Baldwin, Barksdale, Batson, Baylor, Bell, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Cluskey, Colyar, Conrow, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Dupré, Echols, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Garland, Gholson, Hanly, Hatcher, Herbert, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Keeble, Kenner, Lester, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, Menees, Miles, Murray, Norton, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Sexton, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of Alabama, Snead, Triplett, Villeré, Wickham, Wilkes, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Shewmake.
So the bill was passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Lyon, from the Same committee, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 148) "in relation to the accounts to be kept at the Treasury of sequestrated estates," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do pass.
The question on postponing was decided in the negative.
The bill was read a third time and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Page 397 | Page image
Mr. Lyon, from the same committee reported
A bill "to provide for the canceling of four per cent bonds and certificates received in payment of taxes and other public dues;" 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.
The bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Lyon, from the same committee, reported
A joint resolution "for the relief of John Darling;"
which was read a first and second time.
The question on postponing was decided in the affirmative.
Mr. Lyon moved to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution was postponed.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
Mr. Lyon, from the same committee, reported
A bill "authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow specie, to be applied to the redemption and reduction of the currency;" 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.
On motion of Mr. Marshall, the bill was postponed until the 5th January, made the special order of the day, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Colyar, from the same committee, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 121) "declaring the mode of ascertaining the value of the tithe deliverable to the Government under the true construction of existing laws," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause, which reads as follows, viz:
"That according to the true construction of existing laws, in case of disagreement between the assessor and taxpayer as to the value of the tithe deliverable to the Government under existing laws, said value is to be assessed and ascertained by disinterested freeholders of the vicinage in the same manner as is estimated the amount of the crops or articles subject to the tax in kind, and said estimate of value thus ascertained is conclusive and final,"
and insert in lieu thereof the following, viz:
"That in order to ascertain in an equitable manner the value of the one-tenth or tithe of the agricultural products levied by the act 'to lay taxes for the common defense and to carry on the Government of the Confederate States,' approved April twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, there shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury three commissioners for each Congressional district in the several States, of persons not liable to military duty and at least forty years of age, who shall constitute a board to ascertain and determine the value in such currency as other taxes are paid in, of the various products for which credits on tax accounts are claimed; and the decision of said board shall be final and binding upon the tax collectors of the Confederate States as the amounts for which said credits shall be allowed on the tax accounts of the producers of the tithe."
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the affirmative.
Mr. Hilton moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was postponed and placed on the Calendar.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
Page 398 | Page image
On motion of Mr. Lester, the bill and amendment were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to grant free transportation to officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates of the Army traveling on leave of indulgence;" which was read a first and second time.
The question on postponing was decided in the negative.
Mr. Clark submitted the following amendment:
Add at the end of the bill the following: "unless the officer or soldier lives beyond the termination of the lines of public travel ever which the Government can furnish transportation in kind, in which case he shall be entitled to commutation for the rest of the distance to be traveled."
The morning hour having expired,
On motion of Mr. Miles, the Calendar was postponed to enable the Committee on Military Affairs to proceed with reports.
The amendment of Mr. Clark was agreed to.
The bill as amended was read a third time and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to provide commissioned officers of the Army and Navy and Marine Corps with clothing and equipments;" 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. Marshall moved to amend the bill by striking out, in section 1, line 4, the words "in the field."
Mr. Anderson called the question; which was ordered, and the amendment of Mr. Marshall was lost.
A message was received from the President, by Mr. Harrison, his Private Secretary, informing the House that the President, on the 22d instant, approved and signed
Mr. Holliday submitted the following amendment to the first section of the bill:
After the words "in the service," in seventh line, insert the words "and officers of the Invalid Corps on duty."
Mr. Machen demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Batson, Baylor, Bell, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chilton, Clopton, Cluskey, Conrad, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Dupré, Echols, Farrow, Foster, Garland, Gholson, Hanly, Hatcher, Herbert, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, Miles, Norton, Orr, Pugh, Read, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of Alabama, Snead, Triplett, Vest, Villeré, Welsh, Wickham, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Chrisman, Clark, Colyar, Conrow, Ewing, and Wilkes.
So the amendment was agreed to.
Page 399 | Page image
Mr. Holliday submitted the following amendment:
Add the following proviso to the end of the first section: "Provided, That after the officers above named are furnished, the provisions of this act shall be extended to officers, other than those named, on post duty."
Mr. McCallum demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Atkins, Ayer, Baldwin, Barksdale, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chilton, Cluskey, Conrad, Dupré, Gray, Hanly, Herbert, Hilton, Holliday, Keeble, Marshall, McCallum, Menees, Miles, Read, Rives, Simpson, W. E. Smith, Smith of Alabama, Snead, Triplett, Vest, Villeré, and Wickham.
Nays: Akin, Anderson, Batson, Baylor, Bell, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Colyar, Conrow, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Echols, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Garland, Gholson, Hatcher, Holder, Kenner, Lester, Lyon, Machen, Norton, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Sexton, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, Welsh, Wilkes, and Witherspoon.
So the amendment was lost.
Mr. Miles moved to amend the first section by inserting after the word "ranks," in line 13, the words "and when necessary and proper."
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Wickham submitted the following amendment to the first section:
After the word "arms" insert the words "which arms and equipments shall be accounted for in like manner with other public arms and equipments;"
which was agreed to.
Mr. Holder submitted the following amendment:
Strike out all in section 1 after word "clothing," in line 11; which reads as follows, viz: "with the badges and insignia appropriate to their respective ranks, and when necessary and proper, with such arms, equipments, and accouterments as may be necessary for the proper discharge of their duties;"
which was agreed to.
Mr. Marshall submitted the following amendment:
Add at the end of the first section the following proviso: "Provided, Nothing in this act shall he construed to extend to quartermasters and commissaries or their assistants engaged only in the collection and transportation of the tax in kind, unless they have been previously disabled by service in the field;"
which was agreed to.
Mr. E. M. Bruce submitted the following amendment:
Add at the end of the bill the following proviso: "Provided, Said officers elect to receive commutation in money in lieu of clothing, as herein provided;"
which was not agreed to.
Mr. Clark called the question; which was ordered, and the bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Miles moved to amend the title by striking out the words "and equipments."
The amendment was agreed to, and the title as amended was read and agreed to.
Mr. Miles moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
Page 400 | Page image
Mr. Miles moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill "to grant free transportation to officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates of the Army traveling on leave of indulgence" was passed.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
Mr. Gholson offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That after to-day the hour of meeting of this House shall be eleven o'clock antemeridian and the hour of adjournment shall be four o'clock post-meridian.
Mr. Wickham, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported
A bill "to increase the efficiency of the cavalry 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. Snead moved that the bill be postponed until to-morrow and made the special order.
Mr. Holliday moved that the bill be postponed until Monday next and made the special order for the morning hour: which latter motion prevailed.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
A bill "for the further organization of the field artillery 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.
On motion of Mr. Miles, the bill was postponed until Monday, made the continuing special order after the pending special orders are disposed of, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Miles from the same committee, reported
A bill "to amend an act approved August twenty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, entitled 'An act to provide for local defense and special service,' and an act approved October thirteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, entitled 'An act to authorize the formation of volunteer companies for local defense;'"
which was read a first and second time.
The question on [postponing] was decided in the negative.
The bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Clark, from the same committee, reported
A bill "supplementary to an act to authorize the formation of new commands, to be composed of supernumerary officers who may resign to join such: commands, and to limit and restrict the appointment of officers in certain cases, approved June fourteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time.
The question being on postponing the bill,
It was decided in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, resolved itself into open session.
Page 401 | Page image
Mr. Hilton moved to amend the bill by striking out the proviso; which reads as follows, viz:
Provided, The number in the company which he wishes to join has not reached its maximum number.
No quorum having voted,
Mr. Akin moved a call of the House.
Mr. Machen demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Batson, Bell, Clopton, Colyar, Conrow, Dickinson, Dupré, Echols, Farrow, Garland, Hanly, Hatcher, Hilton, Holder, Machen, Menees, Rives, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Snead, Welsh, and Wickham.
Nays: Anderson, Atkins, Barksdale, Baylor, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chilton, Clark, Conrad, Cruikshank, Ewing, Foster, Gholson, Herbert, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Marshall, McCallum, Miles, Norton, Orr, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, Triplett, Vest, Villeré, Wilkes, and Witherspoon.
So the call of the House was refused.
On motion of Mr. Johnston,
The House adjourned until 11 o'clock a. m. to-morrow.
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Sash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have concurred in the resolution of the House of Representatives providing for the appointment of a joint committee of the two Houses of Congress to inquire into our present and future means of public defense, with amendments, in which they request the concurrence of this House.
The amendments having been read as follows, viz:
"There being reason to apprehend that a crisis in our public affairs is impending, for which no adequate provision may have been made: Therefore."
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, they were concurred in.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin,
The House resolved itself into open session.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |