Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-03-04
CONFEDERATE STATES CONGRESS.
FIRST DAY.
RICHMOND, February 1s, 1862.
SENATE !;

FIRST DAY. ~
RICHMOND, February 1s, 1862. y
SENATE. e ~
| The Senate convened at noon. The Vice
President elect of the Conefederase States,
Hon. A. II. Stephens, in the Chair
The Vice President, under the authority of
the Constitution, formally opened the session
of the Senate. He called attention TO the
published acts passed by the Provisional Con
gress, and caused the temporary clerk to read
the last clause Of the pc manent Constitution;
also the act OF the Provisional Congress putting
in operation tie permanent government of the
Confederate States, and the act supplemental to
/ the same.
Nineteen Senators being present "a quorum)
the oath was administered. The Senators taking
the oath in parties of four at time -
The Vice President announced that the first
business before the Senate was the election of q
President Of tie Senste pro fempore.
Mr.. Davis, of North Carolina, moved that the
Hon. r. M. I. Hunter of Virginia, be unani-
mously chosen President of the Senate pro tenn
pore. Carried. -
Mr.. Hunter was conducted to the Chsir by
Messrs Hill OF Georgia, johnson of Arkansas,
and Simms OF kentucky, and the Vics Pre- siden
I f|retired. y ea 1'sr sas sasss ees ss8 Z
Mr. Hnnter said that all his thauks were due
for this high honor, and the best lie could pro-
mise in return was that he would strive to dis
! charge his duties with energy and npartiality.
i James Il. Nas'i OF South Carolina, having a
majority OF all the votes cast, wss declared the
/ Secetary of the Senate, and came forward and
I was duly qualified.
Mr.. James Page, of North Carolina was elec-
ted Door keeper.
u House of Representatives.
| otx d. u Z ~. ~
Representatives were called to order by Hon
Howell Cobb, Of Georgia, President of the late
1 Provisional Congress.
The presiding officer cansed to be read an act
OF the Provisional Congress, whereby it was
mace his duty to preside at the organization of
the Hose OF Representatives of the permanent
j Congress Ia virtue of the authority, be ap-
pointed a. clerk pro tenn, William F Gordon.
!, Esq, OF Virginia.
{ The call Of the roll Of the members was then
8 commenced, and at its conclusion the presiding
officer announced that quorum was present,
after which he proceeded to administer the fol
lowing oath, which was done by calling up the
delegations from the several States 0. the Con-
tederacy.
'sYou and each OF you do solemnly swear that
you will support the Constitution of the Con-
federateiStates So help you Goda"
}, Mr.. Cobb announced that the next daty de-
!, volving upon them was the election ola Speaker
to preside over tteir future deliberations. 81
] Mr.. II Foote, of Tennessee, nomina ed Thos-
| mas Bocock, OF Virginia, for that office. he
paid high tribute TO his qualifications.
Mr.. Bocock was elected without opposition.
Mr.. Boyce, of South Carolina, moved that q
committee OF two be appointed 10 conduct the
Speaker to the Chair. ADOPTED.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Royce and Foote
said commit 90.
fl Mr;Bocock on taking the Chair, addressed the
| House in an eloquent and patriotic manner.
}, Mr. Emmett Dixon of Georgia was elected
! Clerk of the House of Representatives.
, Mr.. +. Il. Wynn OF Alabama was elected Door
keeper.
Il SECOND DAY
RI Feb. 16th.-In Senate, Messrs Clay of Alsbalna
] Smms of Louisiana, and Phean OF Mississippi
} appeared and took their seats.
Ia the House to-day, Mr.. Foote, of Mississippi
introduced resolution ofenauiry INTO he causes
: OF the recent disasters in North Carolina, keu-
tucky, and Tennessee, proposing the appoint
nent OF 8 committee To send for persons aDC
+ papers Laid on tie ta le. Mr., Smith, of Vir-
4 gnis, introduced resolution declaring that II
case any officer of the army or navy shall be
found in stale of intoxice ton, whether OFF OF
on duty, shall be deprived of his commission, ani
| tDbt d Ike pcudlty 10 vi diy
ot6cer who knows Of such intoxication AMI t.ils
to report it.
THIRD DAY.
Il Feb 2oth.--In the Senate, nothing of impor
: | lance traDspired. 3,
/ In the House, Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, intro
/ duced the following resolution:
Resolued, That whatever propriety there may
have been in the original adoption of what ii
: known as the defensive policy in coDnectiol
. with the prosecution OF the pending war for
!, Southern indepenl lencs, recent events have al
ready demonstrated the ez zpediency of abandon
ing that policy hecceforth and forever and tba
: it be the duty of Government to lmpart all pos
: sibe activity to our military forces, and to as
: sail the forces of the enemy wheresoever they
r De found, on land or water, with the view o
+, obtaining the most complete security fsf tht
t fature.
The resolution was opposed by Mr.. Jenkins
of Virginia, and advocated in a powerful speecs
r by MIR. Foote-the discussion consuming all tht
p session.
) Mr.. Foote moved that the resolution be lai(
/ on the table.
Feb 2I-SENATE Proceeding unimportant
HoUsE-A resolution was adopted transfer
!, ring the papers and documents of the Provision
: al Congress to the possession of the Ole K of th
? House.
Mr.. Foote'S resolution, favoring an aggressive
war, was taken up.
3 Mr.. Trippe, of Georgia, offered the following
amendment; .'-tS
ResoIoed, That, in the Judgment OF this House,
the war should be prosecuted with enc gy, ant
with policy, offensive and defensive, commen
t surate with the great interests involved in it
|, issue, and that the same general confidence
which great and chiyalrous people have here
t,fore reposed, and do now repose, in their eivi
authorities, will be continued and strengthened
b by the adoption, in the further progress of th,
= war, of the most active and thorough measures
r which the late reverses an. menacng advances
of the enemy make imperatively necessary,
Resoloed, I'd, That the earliest practicable mo
ment be sought to supply all means, whether o
: means, money or arms, necessary to sustain thu
, policy above declared.
Me-. Foote mace speech iavorins tha adop
ton of bis amendment.
Mr. Foote said that be bad no election ts
Mr.. Trippe's amendment, except that it conta o
3 ed an implied spprobae:s.n of the conduct of ,hs
, Navy and War Departments, which be CON
: demHs
On motion of Mr. Gartrell the resolution wa.
laid on the table, when the House adjourned.
i Feb 22.-Beth Houses of Congress took a re-
cess this norning, to attend the inauguration.
In the House, previous to the recess, Mr.,
Fooe introduced a resolation appointing com.
,nittee of one from eacu State to reonest the
; Secretary of War to furnish the fullest and mi
~, rafra 81