Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-03-25
coNFRDERATE CONGRESS.
SENATE.

TUrsDAY, March "a, 1863
The Senate met at IL o'clock N. PRAYER by the Rev.
Mr.. Solomon, Of the Baptist Church. =
Mr.. OLDHAM, from the Committee on Posts, Affair.
reported back the resolution relative to FOREIGN mail
by Matamoras and Havana, with resolution declaring
that it nexpedient 70 egsate upon the subject AZ
this time
POSTAGE ON SEwsPAPERs ETC.
Mr. OLDHAM also reported bill to prescribe tba
rates of postage newspapers periodicals. transient
and other matter. Placed on The calendar. The bill
provides that the postage on newspapers sent regular
subscribers shall be the rate Of cent for each pa
per weighing more than three ounces: for each ad
donal ounce fraction thereof hall cent. PERIOD
Gals published oftener than sem-monthly shall be
charged newspapers. The postage other perod-
calls, not exceeding one and half ounces, shall be one
cent each number, and one cent additional each
additional ounce or fraction. The postage on said news
papers and periodicals shall be paid in advance. The
postage on every other newspaper circular periodical
etc. shall be at the rate Of one cent for every ounce
fraction Of an ounce on books, weighing four
pounds at the rate Of two cents to be prepaid in all
cases. except when sent bv officers musicians or pri-
Yates of the army. Upon all newspapers etc. published
beyond the limits Of che Confederate States the
shall be double the foregoing rates On all newspapers,
etc placed in any post Office for delivery and not for
transmission the postage shall be cent EACH The
act is 10 take effect on LIST July, 1863.
TOBACCO FOR ARMY.
Mr. WIGFALL introduced bill to provide tobacco .
for the army, which taken up and passed The bull
enacs that there shall be furnished each enlisted man
in the army of the Confederate Sates, one ration OF
tobacco under such regulations as theSecfeary Of War
may establish.
THE IMPRRssNEsT BILL.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the bin
ported from the Committee Of Conference TO rek-
ulate the impressment Of private property.
Mr.SEMNtS, of La, said that theebill gave up all
that the Senate had conended for Ii processes 10 make
discrimination between produce and specuatoes but
n each benefit a ueiohhorhaoi
appraisement, 10 which the Senate was opposed To
show that this the effect of the BILL he read the 4,h
sectou the Last clause OF which declares that the
OF property impressed in pursuance of that section,
whether producer not, snail be compensated In
cordaI ce with the first and second sections which pro-
vide Tor neighborhoOd appraiser en-
Mr. HILL, of Ca. argued TO show that the bill was
not susceptible Of this construction for whilst it was
true that the owner sLoud be compensated according
10 the first and second sections, the make
an affidavit that he is the producer otherwise he
only receive compens aon under the sixth section OF
the BILL which provides for schedule OF prices TO be
fixed by commissioners in each State.
Mr. SIMAS Of KY, argued. that the bill was uncon-
stituonal and would be productive of injury to the
public interests.
Mr. BROWN, Of Miss, called the question, which
was then put and the bill was passed by the following
vote:
Yeas-Messrs. Baker, Barnwel, Brown, Caperton,
Davis, Dortch, Haynes Henry, HILL Hunter Johnson
Of Ga, Maxwell, MITCHELL Oldham, Orr, Peyton, and
Pnelan-li.
Nays-Messrs Clay, Semmes, Simms, and Spar
row..
THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the bill to
establish court for the investigation Of claims against
the Government of the United States.
The 18th section provides that every claim decided in
favor Of claimant shall be paid at the Treasury upon
present tn of copy Of the final judgment, out Of
any money approx rated by Congress for the payment of
| G a ms against the Confederate States etc.
The question presented by amendments the man.
ner and extent the reservation by Congress of revi
~ power over the decisions Of the court, and gave
| rise to much discussion.
Tie following amendment, submitted by Mr.. DAVIS,
TO be added the 10th section, was adopted-ayes H.
nays 9:
"Provided, that no judgment for greater amount
than ten thousand dollars shall be paid until Congrsss
shall make a special appropriation therefor"
Finally the following substitute tor the section, as
amended proposed by Mr.. PHELAS, of Mississippi, was
adopted:
10 The said court shall report to Congress- at each
session. catalogue of all finally decided in favor
of the eliminates together with the judgment and the
opinion of the Court in each decided during the
preceding recess which may be so decided during the
continuance of said session. and all appropriations If
any, made for payment OF the said Judgments shall
specify the amount appropriated in each case
After the consideration OF other amendments, the bill
was read third time and passed.
The Senate then into EXECUTIVE session. ard soon
after adj burned.