Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-10
NO. XII.

its further considerations and that the bill be laid
upon the table.
Mr.. Kenner, of La, called for the question,
which was trdere and the question being first
taken on the motion to discharge the committee
from the further consideration of the bill,
decided in the affirmative The bill was th' II
laid upon the tab'e-yeas 46, nays 81.
Mr.. Read moved that the vote be reconsidered.
and the motion was recorded.
SENATE, March 3.-Nothing of Importance was
done in the Senate, in open session. Various
bill were introduced and referred, and resoln-
ton adopted, instructing the Committee OF For
egn Affairs to inquire into the expediency OF re-
sciDding the agreement of the Confederate Gov
ernment to the declaration of the Paris sConyeu-
'ion, that .stbe neutral flag covers epemy's goods
with the exception of contrab nd of war;"
HousE.--The House adopted resolution to
suspend all other business until alter the curren-
cy and tax bills shall have been acted on, and
then went into secret session.
1t is understood that the Currency bill was
passed but its details have not been made public
THE TELEGRAPH LINES.
Mr.. Oldham, of Texas, from the Committee of
Postal Affairs, to whom was referred the question
of confiscating the interest of aliens in the tee
graph lines, ETC., reported bills
For the confscation of the leasehold interest
and shares of. stock owned by the American Tel
egraph Co., and other aliens in the telegraph
lines Of the Confederate States;
Declaring the telegraph part of the postal
system OF the Confederate States, and providing
for working the same. -
THE IMPREssNENT BILL.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
bill to regulate the impressment of private prop
erty for the use of the army. v
Messrs. Yancey, Wigfal, Semmes, and others,
presented their views at some length, after which,
On metion,- the Senate adjourned.
| HOUSE, March A. L
THE TAX BILL.
The Speaker announced the regular order of
business the bill reported from the Committee
| of Ways and Means, ssto lay taxes for the COM
mon defence, and to carry on the Government of
the Confederate States.''
! Mr.. Jones, of Tenn. said that the measure was
very intimately connected with the one that had
Ijust passed, and he moved that the House go.in-
to secret session.
/ r Mr.. Foote demanded the yeas and nays, which
were ordered, and the vote resulted ayes 145,
| nays 60
| SENATE, March 5th.--The Senste was occupied
/ in the furtherdscus.iono of the lmpressment bill.
An amendment Was adopted providing for the
appointment by the President of three Commits
soners in each Sta 10 fix .he value tn be paid
just compensation to owners of articles iEn-
lpsessed for the use of the army. The bill was
still pending when the Senate adjourned
/ HOUSE. The House resumed, IN secret session,
the consideration of the Tax bill.
/ SENATE March 6.-The Senate, after parlia
meltary tournament, adopted the substitute for
the House impresSmeat bill su! mitted By Mr..
Wigfal. This bill provides
| l. That when any officer in command of troops,
or charged with the duty of supplying an army,
shall impress property, he shall before appropri
ating the same TO the public use, cause the value
thereof to be ascertained by three or more disin-
terested citizens if IT can be done without I'M ju-
| rious Geiay ard if the.appraisement shall seem
just and fair. shall endorse his approval, IT not,
ii. Ton, d1Irxr
tcr the same to owner, and send copy to the head
of the department., Where an al praisement can
not be conveniently made, he shall deliver re
i eipt to the owner, and forward copy as above
directed.
! e. The appraisers are required to take an oath
to ascertain, near as they can, the s'falf Ssus
of the impressed property.
/ 8. Relates to property returned TO owner, altes
Temporary use or service.
4. On the production of the receipt for prop
impressed, approved by said officer, the
.l-tf- 7hursing officer shall pay the amoIn'
erty IA. owner. Where there has been Gsc
proper dis there such appraisement is noi
thereof to the - the claim shall be refer
apprasement. ors ng officer of the gov
by the office. to the pfi1clple:
red TO The proper account.
ernment, to be settled accordnz al OF an!
Of equity and justice. I'M
D. Provides or the trial and dismiss
ofhcer who shall wantonly or oppressiveiS
press OF take any property Of citizen of al.
OF tie Confederate States, except when neces-
sary 10 do so to avert impending danger, etc.
o. Frohiolts the impressment of property nee
essary for the support of the owner, etc.
q. Previous to lst October next, no slave Ia
boring on farm or plantation exclusively de-
Soted TO the production of grain and provisions
shall be taken for the pubic use.
Ihe senate, before going into secret session.
agreed to adjourn over until Monday.
HousE.-The House was engaged, in secret
session, in the further consideration of the tax
bill.