Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-31

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House met at IL o'clock. Prayer by the Rev. Mr..
Peterkin.
| COMMITTEE OF coNTERKKcK.
The SPEAKER announced the following Committee Of
Conference TO &C. with similar Committee on the part
of the Senate to consider the sui OF difference DO.
tween the two Houses the joint resolution in regard
TO the payment CT the aearages due TO members OF the
Provis;ona Congress who are members OF this Congress
Messrs Curry Of Ala, Chambers, Of hiss., and HoiL
| Of Ga.
| THE rattle OF LEEsBURe, H.
The SPEAKER laid before the House Communication
from the Secretary Of War in response 10 resolution
Son,d Inv the House few days ago. calling for copies
Of the reports of Coils Huntop, Griffin and featherson
of the battles of esburg and BAPs Bluff The Sscre-
tary stated Upon the authority OF bis that
the reports referred to sent In to the Provisional
Congress- aud were now file among TIE papers OF that
| Congress.
The communication was laid On the table.
| THx WAR TAX.
The SPEAKER laid before the House communication
from the Secretary Of the Treasury relative to 'uspen
sion of the war In districts now in possession OF the
| enemy
where the enemy held possession, and showed thgt
general law on the subsc. Of suspension OF the coec
ton of the tax in regard districts In the hands OF the
enemy would probably operate ur lsy. The Secretary
asked the direction Of Congress in regard to the follow
ing points: 81
ectors in relation to the collection Of taxes In States
| portions of which are in possession Of the enemy!
| What allowance should be made in the collection OF
| taxes In South Carolina, in view OF portion oil that
State being held by the enemy!
Also what should be pursued with reference TO
the collection Of this in Tennessee where s colec-
ton hes been suspended until some action should be
taken by Congress upon the subject
Alec the allowance, proper 10 be made In regard to
/ l.. -L1aaN Il In
sion OF the enemy.
In reference to Kentucky and Missouri the Secretary
stated that It appeared to tim not 10 be advisable to
take any action for the collection Of taxes In those States
aud accordingly no collectors have been appointed Tor
| them.
He also stated that circumstances differing In charac
ter all beyond the control of the Collectors prevent
ed them from making returns within the period required
BY the Act of Congress and suggested that congress
would confer on the Treasury .rtment the power to
vary the time prescribed for the payment Of the taxes a.
| the circumstances of each case may require.
On motion Of Mr.. KESNER, Of La, the communica-
ton referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
States were then called for resolutions, memorials j.,
| Mr. HOLT of Ga, sid that the Hou'e would observe
that the call Of States had occupied almost every day
during the pas. week. to the exclusion Of reports from
committees.
He therefore, moved to suspend the rule requiring this
call TO b, made.
The motion was los
| ACCOUNTS.
Mr.. CURRY; of Ala, presented an account which was
| referred to the Committee on Claims
Mr.. PUGH, Of Ala presented q similar account,
| which was referred TO the same committee.
RAISING ToRcEs CONCEPTION, &c.
Mr.. Chiffon, of Ala, cG,red the folloWiag Joint
Resolutions:
lat Resolved That with the concurrence Of the Sen
ate JOINT Committee Of tie Houses consisting Of
CSC members On the part Of this House. and sucb num-
Der OF Senators that body may appoint whose duty
snail be to prepare and report bill or bills for the action
OF Congress, Substantially providing for carrying into
practical operation, the. systom Of conschpion as TO
commended in the late message Of the President Of the
Confederate States to both Rouses Ct Congress- and also
providing simple aud expeditions mode for obtaining
for public quantity may be deemed necessary,
of the private Of the country, and OF eugmsntng
tse facilities for the manufacture Of arms and ordinance
of every description and the procurement and manufIc'
lure of gun powder and munitions oil war.
2ad RecIssi That said Committee also consider and
report by bill or Otherwise What legislation Is requird
to develope the mineral Of the Confederate
States 90 as TO make them eciSRt In the prosecution OF
this war especially in the production and manufacture oil
iron aud in the erection OF furnaces, rolling mills and
other appliances required for such production and maui
fcture and that spd committee have leave 10 sit while
the Congress is in session that they may report at tic
| earliest practicable moment.
Mr. Chiffon said, that in Offering that resolution he
wished il dsiit oily understood that he did not dere
that committee 10 be raised In order that be might be
BIT upon it. He was au 1icus waive that privilege be-
| ewing tia; there other members Who were much
more familiar with the duties imposed by the resolutions
than be wa
While Offering these resolutions he desired further to
say that they not to be construed meaning the
least dhrespsot 70 the Committee on kitSry Afls He
knew the amount of business which tina. committee had
10 charge sad the vast amount Of Dor which IL was
performing; aud he therefore unWiiog to impose
upon il the add ioDA duty Of considering subj ct Of
the scope and extent OF that embraced in the resolutions
The main oil eot he had in view was TO obtain from
Joint Committee OF both Houses in anticipation Of the
short session which they expected u have report on
the important SUI let's embraced in the resou ions In re-
ference 10 which The most perfect unsumiy the part
of both branches Of Congress might exist This result
a. be conceived peculiarly important at the present
TIM, and demanded by every consideration OF security
ss well Of the ultimate success Of the struggle IN which
we are row engaged Ia view OF the great necessity
for unanimy and dtspa ch in maturing measures look'
ing to the accomplishment Of the oil which the re
solutions refer TO- seemed to him that the proper course
10 pursus would te TO appoint Jin Committee for
their consideration This, in his orinicn would best
tend to secure tho APPRECIATION Of both Houses for what
| ever measures tsey might deem proper TO mature,
He moved to suspend the rule With view to putting
the resolutions pPon their passage.
| Mr. KEENAN,, Of Ga. sid that As q member OF the
Ntiry COMMITTEE be could the mover of these
resolution that they had biz hearty concurrence. lie
hid long believed that the Mill Ary Committee should DO
a hin. one He for so making It, ard If tho House
would not agree to make It. no was in favor Of the
proposition Of the gentleman from Alabama, (Ar chill
| Toni
Nj. RUSSELL, of Va, moved Is substitute fer tie
resolutous that tie Presidents message sent TO the
House yesterday be referred to Sci ct Committee Of
| one from each State.
IL NUT b, very obvious to the House that II any com
mttse b. rsiiei charged with the du,s that rected
| in the r'solu ions juIt tf,red-
| Me- Chiffon rose 10 point Of order.
he said tk>t the m tsge Of the President was referred
Yesterday lie Understood The gentlsn to have made
on stcrday motion 10 recousidsf the vote By which
IL was ref rred Unlil tha. VOL reconsdered, his
| notion would. not be in orisr
The SPEAKER said Tho point Of order was well taken,
aud decijed that the moion Of Mr.. RUssKLL would not
b. in order until the vote referring the Presidents mes
sag 70 the N II ary Committee IVES rsconsidefed.
Mr.. RUSSELL said the point Of order wRb well taken,
aud therefore his motion cou1 not be submitted In
l Il. La na.ll hnznrnr ha snnnnacd MI q