Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-08-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr. Blair, from the committee on military Affairs
ported bill TO increase the efficiency Of the phi
iosl corps, which was passed.
Mr.. Din, from the committee on military Affairs 70.
ported back the Senate bill promote the efficiency Of
the volunteer forces by authorizing the President to
discharge from the service any commissioned volunteer
Officers for incspacity, inc ency, misconduc. or ne-
eject Of duty.
The committee reported substitute to apply the prin
cpes Of the bill TO the officers of the regular army as
well 10 those OF tho volunteer force-he dsmssas 70
take place without usttung board Of inquiry court
martial
bot 10 the present emergency be willing to trust its
execution 10 the commarder-ln-chet.
Mr. VallanGighsm suggested that much Of the sub
sute proposed affect volunteer officers be stricken
Is extraordinary, considering that such OH
Gers appointed by State authority, under consitu
toaal warrant and, besides IL Was arbitrary to dsds
officers without inquiry.
Mr. Burnett commended that the power be conferred
the President contemplated by the BILL was ole
ly unconstitutional aud that the In keep
ing With oil the former legislation Of this Congress He
denounced the bill Where precedent 10 be foundy
Was there ever sush legislation To be the consu
tuition has become rather obsolete in this House. but
gentlemen would pardon him, Mr.. B. would venture
casonay aude 10 that sacred but unfortunate nsru
ment. Me-. u. excuse for this bill it
simply astounded him.
Mr.. Oln asked if, as Mr. Burnett admitted officers
appointed under State authority might bs removed ~
martial, why might not another mode be adopted
effect the why not the President be SUBJ
stuted for the martial, and delaysy Mr. DIN
tired Of these eternal harangues about the c0nsu
tion-es ciay from the gentleman from Kentucky who
Ia ingenious not to expose continually his mpa,by
for the rebels the record unavOrabe to the gentle
mans loyalty.
Mr.. Burnett said gentleman were ever too ready to
evade manly argument by recourse to personalities -
Such attacks upon his loyalty had became a favorite
refuge for those who had better for their
their votes. As for his loyalty, Mr.. Bur.
nett held himself accountable here. He should
do his duty, very boldly, very independently. An n-
partial posterty will Idge between him and the gentle
from Now York-au impartial posterity will deci.e
which gut 10 avert end which TO- preoptate the
aud the horrors Of country. Ii his voice
could have reached tho heart Of the gentleman from New
York, the record would stand different between them
As long his native State chung the constitution to
which, member Of this House, he bound by an
oath he should recognize, his allegiance TO the Federal
Government but whenever he heard the voice of that
State calling him to her. hs shall respond promptly and
with all his heart As for sympathy with the rebels"
If TO sympathze with the people OF his soil, the
people Of his blood, whose institutions are ais own
institutions whose rights bis rights and who wagcd
upon them-if that be sympathy with rebels"
then gentlemen might make the most of il.
Ga motion Of ". Hutchus the bill was laid on the
table.
Mr. Allen moved to take up the Senate resolution pro-
vding that ont committee OF both branches Of Con-
sres shall cali on the the President and request him TO
apart day for public humiliation thanksgiving aud
prayer be observed with solemn religious ceremoni
and iervent supcAons for the Of and
the restoration Of peace.
Mr.. Lovejoy moved to amend the bill by adding, "and
by reading the SSH chapter Of Isaiah"
Mr.. Valandigbam suggested the Sermon on the
Mount.
The original resolution adopted.
Mr.. Stevens, from the committee on ways and means,
reported back Senate amendments to the bill making
appropriations for the organization oil the volunteer
force. Concurred in.
Mr.. Bingham, from the judiciary consi,tee reported
back with bis Amendment the bill to seizs and confs-
cate all property employed for nsurrecopary purposes
Mr. Holman moved to lay the bill on the table, aud de-
manded the yeas and nays on bis motion. Yeas Al,
nays sc. So the House refused TO lay the bill on the
table,
The House here concurred in the Senate joint resou
ton to adj ourn on Tuesday next.
Mr.. MALLORY then moved that the House adjourn. Re-
fused-yeas 80, nays rs 1-r--'15
Mr.. B,nsha,n,s amendment was then coneuued in.
The question coming up the passage OF the bill, Mr..
Burnett demanded the yeas and nays. Agreed to-yeas
6, nays As.
So the bill was passed
The Speaker here laid before the House message from
the President in to resolution adopted by the
House Wednesday, calling him for information in
reference to The capture Of the Hoa. Alfred Ely sThe
President replies that he is in possession vi facts
telegpphic dispatch announcing ir. Ely capture aud
confinement.
Mr.. Conkling offered resolution calling on the Pre-
sident for all correspondence between the Hon. J. L
Harvey and any OF the heads OF Departments in relation
10 the charges agaDs: bim Mr. Conkug said he had
such information from Mr. Harvey and OF such char
acter that the House ought not 10 refuse to adopt tho
resolution.
Mr.. vallAndgham moved that the gentleman be allow
cd to lay the information before the House. Agreed TO.
Mr.. Conkln therefore sent TO the clerks desk letter
from Mr. Harvey TO the Secretary Of War; dated Lisbon
July H. 1861, in which he sought to vindcate hims.l;
from the charges against him. of corresponding with the
rebels. This letter has already boen published.
Mr.. Coukling's resolution calling upon the President
for the correspondence in the then adopted.
Adjourned