Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-28


made, and he therefore proposed the resolution
There was bill now pending before the House which
was made the special order for to-day, and another
which made the special order for Saturday, and was
With q view to methodzs the debate upon these bills
that be of fsred the resolution.
Mr. HOLT though the best disposition TO make OF the
resolution TO refer it to the Committee on Rules.
The SPEAKER observed that the quirement Of por-
ton Of the resolution was already the rule OF the House
No member under the existing rule, was authorised TO
speak tbsn twcs the same subject, excep. BY
| the unanimous consent OF the HorsL
Mr.. CROCKETT stated that be had moi the pleasure
as yet OF seeing the rules Of the House. BE endeavor
ed to get copy but failed. II that the rule, OF
course the cau in the resolution referred to by the
Speaker was superauous and should be stricken ou.
II was done, and the resolution as amended was O.
dopted.
Mr.. B0NHAN rose to personal explanation.
He observed, 10 the "Euqlire" Of yesterday, notice
Of the debate the resou OF the gentleman from
Virginia (Nr Smitb suppressing inoIication In the ar
nv which placed himself and his honorable frie nd from
TeIss (Mr WilcoI) in false position he was satisfied
that the entirely unintentional on the part Of
| the reporter
Toe repor. in the "Eaqlre states that "Mr Smith
cf Virginia introduced Dill which declares that upon
information given q general commanding in the held
of any officer Of the army berg under the influence OF
Intoxicating liquor he shall appoint Court OF lnqui-
~ consisting OF three officers TO inquire into the facts
and IL the fact of drunkenness DO asoerained II shall be
the duty OF the President TO order that the name OF the
officer so o.ndng shall be stricken from the rolls OF the
| army.
"Ncs r. Bonhsm of s. @, and Wilcox, of Texas, OPP
| DO ,cd the bill, e."
Me- BONHAM said as /. was reported it would appear
as he and the gentleman from Texas opposed to
the suppression Of ntoxcaon In the army He desired
to say this connection, that the report placed them In
false position before the county, and be would take
occasion bris to explain that the ground upon which
they opposed the bill was that the articles of war had,
perhaps already accomplished all that could be accom-
pshed in respect intoIicltion that the 80. article
Of seemed TO them to cover the particular evil Pro-
| posed to DO removed by the bill. These were the
ouuds upon which they opposed the bill introduced by
| the gentlema1 from Virginia
Tne SPEAKER observed that the gentleman had the
unanimous consent Of the House TO make bis personal
EXPLANATION; but he would call the attention OF the
House TO the fact that corrections Of newspaper reports
we're not matters OF personal privilege, aud that mem
b only be INDUCED in making them by unanimous
| consent.
Mr. GARLAND, of Ark, by unanimous consent, sub
med resolu ion inst irg the Committee on Pub &c
Buildings 10 procure as soon as possible rooms tor the
| several committees Of the House.
| The res solution was adopted.
| Mr. CONRAD, of La, by unanimous consent, intro
duced resolution iusructing the Committee on Military
Ire 10 Quire into the e1pediepcy Of establishing
au additional department Of war, at the head Of which
should be placed officer Of high rank, and who should
b. charged with tbs military, contradistnguishsd
from the administrative branch OF the Department
| Mr. CONRAD Of La said, that some little familiarity
with the business of this department had brought him
TO the conviction for time past that no one ind
vidual whatever bis talents might be- whatever his ap
ttude for business and however ind fag his indus
try might be, IL adequate TO the performance OF the
complicated aud muusrious duties which are imposed
upon him 10 the War Department. He believed that
the personal observation OF every member Of the House
who had business with this depsr men must
have impressed the conviction upon bis mind Of the IL
ability OF any man to discharge all the duties Of
that department. He Me- Conrad believed that it
would b. difficult to find moro industrious, a1o
Who had more aptitude for business than the gentleman
who now filed that department-he mr. O.. was speak
ing of the administrative deparment-and yet he be
isved that there scarcely gentleman present who
would cay that be had been seeking in some instances
for days. with the head OF that department.
busiuels of very important character before he could
succeed owing TO the press of business which devolved
upon the Secretary.
After conierring great deal Of reflection upon the
subject Two modes Of expecting the labor Of the de-
psrInent had occurred TO him. He would say that
time ago. the Provisional Congress provided for the ap
| pontment Of Assistant Secretary Of War, bat he
M. o. had no. found that that fJrdsd much relief
the Secretary. Toe business Of the Assistant Scrc
is ned to the preparation Of business, but as he
| said that arrangement Is not sufficient
The only way to meet the difficulty 1t seemed to
him. wac 70 equal, ordinate branches in
this department. with the President as the common head
assigning the defence OF tho eastern sea5oad
to divide the srlctly business department from the sd
illustrative brarcb putting at the head OF the Military
Department an ofhser OF high rank and Urge military
experience and leaving the Secretary proper a. the head
Of the administrative branch Of the department..
| Mr.. NILES Of 8. c., said he had Just come from .
meeting Of the military Committee, aud desired to say
that the Committee had to day nstruc cd him TO repo
bill with recommendation to the House, that IL .hoOld
| PISA covering precisely this ground. He would a.
Leave to r port that bill.
| and hv sha0 iarr
aies the oic, OF Commanding General Of the Confed
a,e scs during the present 1t gives to the Pr
sdent the appointment OF that officer, BY and with TIC
advice OF the Senate and gives this commanding ofc
the general control Of military operations the movement
AID discipline Of troops and the distribution Of supplies
g..
Il also provides that II the officer appointed shall be
an officer OF the permanent army, his rank SHALL not be
eff .ced bv reason Of bis appointment to this cihce
The S'ah Of the Commanding General shall consist Of
Secretary wi the rank Of Colonel and Assistant Sc.
ceRry With the rank Of Major, the psy OF the Secret
res to be the that received by Colonies and H.
jors Of c,valry, H.
The SPEAKER stated that the bill could not be re.
csived gnIess the gentleman from La Mr. Conrad will
drew bic r,so!utioS
Mr. CONRAD said Il seemed to hial that the bill &C..
compsh,d almo5t oil that be desired. he would wiki
draw his resolution for the present.
Mr. MILES stated tina, this subject had been regular
~ referred the Military Committee and the Committee
reported toe bill read IN lieu OF the referred.
NJ. SNIrH, of Va desired to know whether this
lioa was called for by the 7. es;dsnt.
Mr. BILES thought he was authorized to say that It
meets entirely With the appreciation Of The President
The SPEAKER said That the bill could only be con.
sdered by unanimous consent, and asked II there
auy OF Acon 10 It's consideration a. this time.
Mr. CROCKETT objected, ard moved that 1t be print.
cd.
The SPEAKER said that a motion to print could not
be submitted, tho bill not being before the House.
Mr.. MILES said hs Gid not wish 10 bury the Houss TO