Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-14

II
hesotred, That special committee of three be an.
pointed by the CHAR, with leave sit during vacation
whose duty It shall be to investigate and report to the
Senate at the next session of Congress upon me expe
dency Of providing for regular and perfect reports of
the debates Of the Senate and of embracing in the re-
ports the secret well the Open legislative sessions
Of the Senate and that they prepare proper system
govern this service and that they report with it the
terms upon which first class reporters may be employed
together with the expenses necessarily incident thereto
PARrIsAN RANGERS ETC.
Mr. SPARROW, from the Committee of Military AT.
fairs reported back adversely, the House bill explana
tory of the authorize the President to accept and
place in the service ain regiments and battalions
heretofore rai:ed Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. SPARROW, from the same Committee, reported
back adversely the House II for the relief OF officers
and soldiers who have been irreguarly introduced into
the military service. Placed on the calendar.
MrRE BUREAU.
Mr.. SPARROW also reported back the House bill to
establish nitro and mining bureau. The bill was
placed on the calendar and ordered to be printed
REdMFSrAL cOMMssARIEs
The Senate bill to abolish the Office of Regmental
Cemmissary and devOlving the duties thereof upon the
lartermaster was taken up and its Obie Is having
been explained by Dir. CLAY, Of Aabams, the bin was
passed.
coSscRIrIION OF ALIENS
The Senate bill to provide for the CONSUMPTION Of
aliens residents in the Confederate States of America
taken up and read
Mr. BARN W ELL, vi y ", thought That the measure
very iuexpedent and would be productive OF harm
rather than good. 1t was subject OF grave doubt
whether have the right to require aliens to patorm
military service. The measure could but be regard
ed as unfriendy and its effect would be to drive the
foreigners OF the country If il is not desirable
they should be here let them be expelled by direct
law.
Mr.. CLAY Of Ala, said he may be wrong as to d.
policy OF the measure, but right as to the principle
All aliens domciled IN any country are liable to mill airy
duty This doctrine is maintained by Vate Philmorc
Wheadon and other pubcists. In many of our towns
foreigners have monOpozed the business and supplant
ed the old merchants. These men, enjoying the pro-
lection of our Government and laws and reaping all
the profits OF this war, claim exemption He had rea
son to know, without stating when where that the
British Government had acknowledged the Obligation of
its subjects dom:ced in other countries 10 perform
military service. The bill, if passed. may drive these
people from the Conledcracy IL it does So there will
be fewer mouths to fed lie was in favor Of driving
them away whilst they claim exemption from military
service aud vet enjoy the rights OF citizenship
Mr. CLARK, of Mo, believed that few Senators would
dissent from the principle of the bill The question Ct
policy was worthy Of serious reflection lie believed
that the true policy adopt the measure ia this
bill. 1t not only duty in military point {
view to subject aliens to military duty but it was duty
we owed 10 our felow-ctzens TO do We cOnscI.t
natites and leave foreigners to play Shylock and swim
die the families OF citizens who are absent ON home in
the military service The example was bad and weak
ems our
Mr. ORR of s c.. thought it would be difficult to cite
any precedent within the last fifty years wherein foreign
ers resident in any civilized unry required
render military service He desired time to examine
the question: and moved that the further consideration
of the bill be postponed until tomorrow.
Mr. CLAY remarked that he could not adduce at this
time any instance in which tie power to require nsitary
duty from aliens had been exercised but the principe
was clearly laid down by the authorities whom had
referred and he would cite them Tomorrow.
The motion to postpone was thea egreed TO-
CHAMPIONSHIPS AND coMNIssARIEs.
The House bul to prevent fraud in the Quartermas-
ters and Commisssry's Departments and the obtaining
under false pretence transportation for private property
was amended by the adoption of substitute. The bill
as thus amended passed. 1t prohibits all officers,
charged with the safe keeping, transfer disbursement
of the pubic moneys, or purchasing supplies ior the gov
ernment from buying specuating in directly ind
rectly any article OF food clothing, material of
Which same is made.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
The Senate bill in relation TO public printing was Ia
Ken up amended and passed IL provides for the cleo.
ton OF public printer by each House of Congress and
regulates the mode Of executing the public printing.
MESSAGES FROM THE !. EsIDEST.
Several messages from the President laid before
the Senate, and the communications appropriately
ferred, viz:
4 Communication from the Secretary of War; cogcr-
ing reports OF various battles, by Gen. Braxton Bragg.
nv covering estimates for the support of for
the six months ending Slst Dec, 1868.
The Senate then went into secret legislative session.