Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-05-01
,sss shin in the naturalization legislation OF Con
lothinp for enlisted men Of the navy.
MASTERS slATY.

ed.
MASTERS MATE.
Mr.. OossIp, from the ssue committee, re-
ported Senate bill, without amendment IN
creasing the pay Of masters mates OF inc
navy to forty dollars pei month. The Dill
wss passed.
Also Senate bill to increase the mileage
of cficsrs and agents travelling for the navy.
The bill was not passed.
PAY OF MIDsHlrMsH.
Also bill to increase thu psy Of m'dship-
mon in TIE navy. go,
Mr.. WEIGH, Of Miss, moved to lsy the bll
on thu table.
Mr.. HlRrRlDGg, Of Ga, asked for the yeas
aad NAYS, which were ordered sni Tesu!tso
yeas 50, nays %.
s, the bill ives laid on the tae!e.
sir. CIopTos, Of Ala, reported from tha
Nsv.l Committee SENATE bill to ansnd al
act to regulate impressnsnts. PasStd'
CHIEF NAVAL CONSTRUCTOR.
Mr.. CoNaAD, from the ssme committee, re
ported Senate bill, without amsodment, en-
tits an act to authorize the appointment OF
Chief Constructor CT Tho Navy, AMI to ti1 the
pay. Passed.
TuIRD AssIgTAEr LEGldEERs.
Also an act to incl saie the pay OF "thlrd
assistant engineers" Of the navy.
Mr.. OFAFP, Of Miss, Cf,red a ProV!so, which
was adopted, that The act should cease III its
eff ct at the end of The Wat.
The House refused to order the bill to its
third reading.
NAVAL COURTS MARTIAL.
Mr.. OOsKlD, Of Louisiana, reported from
the Naval Committee bill to regulate the
action Of the Secretary OF the Navy Upon the
sittings CT general courts martial.
The committee asked TO be discharged
from the further consideration Of the subject,
and that the bill lie on the table: which was
agreed to.
PROVISIONAL NAVY.
Ar. HoDuE, of Kentucky, from the same
commi:tce, reported bill to provide for o
a "Provisiousl Navy of The Confederate
States"
The bill was passed.
Also, House bill to pfc7idr for the equal
iZation Of the grade q! uflioera of the Navy
and for other purposes
The Senate proposed to stridc out the Sec
lion of the bill which proposes IN elevate
off :ers for galantry in ast!on.
MIR. PsurIss advocated tho striking ont OF
the section, on the ground that 1t would de-
stroy the spirit Of tie nsvy, and give room to
fsvortism. 1t changes radically the prlnci-
pie that has hitherto prevailed in the naval
service, and will work grea! injustice to many
gallant officers, who left the service Of the
United States TO enter ours. Merit ahoul be
rewarded: but net at the expense Of equal
merit. Honor gallant SCI vices with medals
and with additional pay, if you please 9,
but do not degrade, by reducing in rank,
some officers, because others have had
opportunities Of distinction. Ii matters
not what may be the experience or
past aeryices of officers. They are not 10
DO regarded, whllo one no moro gallant, not
IS cxperienced nor having az much the con
Rdence of his brother Ctiicers, may, by tho
accident Of command, be appointed psrma
nentiy his superior. All thuse gallant men
who, like Forrest Ind BnTon and Maury,
now in most iIopoz!.nt service, arc to BIO OK
cnded fr ON this advance because the govern
ment req uires their service somewhere eee
than on the field Of action. The hill is OBJ
jeotionable in many particulars, sud shall
deeply regret il It becomes \ law.
The House concurred III the reco nIHsnda-
ton Of tho committee to digsgs=e TO the Ssn
alto amendments.
APPROPRIATION BILL,
The House took up the appropriation bill,
and proceeded to vote on the bena!e amend
ment 10 the bill, atfiking out The appropria-
ton relating TO tho iucgoaso OF thv pay OF
the holdisra az may b. hereafter provided by
law.
The House reflleed to concur in the Senate
am ndment-yeai Is, nays y.
TIE vote was then taken on Senate
Amendment appropriation Of $4,000, 900 for
stationery and contingent expenses in taking
the war tax. This was agreed 70.
Also an amendment to refnrd to the State
Of Louisiana her excess OF the war tax.
FORGERY Ard CouSrEkrEITINu.
I'll, House also concurrsd in Senate
amendment to bill to punish forgery and
coun torteitiug.
GOVERNMENT LIND PGRrHAsr5.
The House took up Sena;: bill to author
lie the Secretary OF War t. purchase and
lease real estate.
The Senate refused to concur il The House
amendment 10 the bill, which provides that
the assent of tie State within whose limits
the estate may lie which j, 10 be purchased
or leased, shall be obtained.
Pending the discussion upon the Senate
smerdnent, tho H;uss took recess until
eight o'clock.