Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On motion of Mr. SPARROW, of La, the Senate re-
solved into secret session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House was called to order at 70 o'clock Prayer
by the Rev. DR.. DoGGETr Of the NJ. z. Church.
MLRoY's OUrBA0Es IN WESTERN VIRGINIA
The SPEAKER laid before the House comminjca-
ton from the President covering tho report Of Colonel
Imboden of Mlroy's outrages in Western Virginia
On motion of Mr.. B0TELER the report was read, laid
upon the table and ordered to be printed
RESIGNATION OF MEMBER
The SPEAKER laid before the House a telegraphic
despatch from Gov. NJ L. BOnham, of South Car DINA,
stating that he no longer member Of the House,
having accepted the Executive Office of his State.
PUBLISHING THE DEBATES.
The resolution offered by Mr.. LYONS on Saturday,
nquring into the eXpedency of arranging with the edi-
tors in Richmond to publish full reports Of the proceed,
ings of Congress- was taken up and rejected.
Mr.. COLLIER, Of Va, said he was absent when the
resolution under consideration on Saturday having
been called home " the sickness of member of his
family
The EXEMPTION LAW.
Mr.. STAPLES Of Va, offered resolution inquiring
into the expediency Of amending the exemption laws
exempt cashiers and teers of bln sfrom militia ~
service Rejected IDS
Mr.. MILES, offs. c.. stated that the Military Commit
tee would repota bill covering desirable amendments to
the exemption law at early day.
SPECIALIZING OFFICIALS.
Mr. DARGAN f-Ala., introduced bill to prohibit
Quartermasters and others from specializing.
Mr.. DARGAN stated that the object OF the bill was
punish Quartermasters, Commssares and Transpor.
tatOn Agents for abuses in their Departmental He
moved that the bill be referred TO the Committee on the
Quartermasters Department and printed. Agreed to.
COUNTERFEIT NOTES.
Mr. DARGAN also introduced a bill for the relief of
I.l,- II.
Government The chief object of the bill is relieve
said officers from the consequences of default when
that default is caused by the reception of counterfeit
notes prior 10 the Is OF September last Referred %
the Committee OF Ways and Means.
ARKANSAS CONTESTED ELECTION CASE
The SPEAKER laid before the House a letter frsm
Mr. Johnson of Ark, stating that he desisted from fur
Their contest for the in the House now occupied BY
Mr. Garland. Though convinced that he was fully euti-
tied to the he conscientious in the belief that
the time of the House had already been sufficiently
cupied with the subject
On motion Of Mr.. JONES, Of Tenn, II was ordered
that the letter be spread upon the Journal and that the
Committee elections be discharged from the further
consideration Of the subject.
THE PEOPLE AND THE RlILRoAD5
On motion of Mr.. CLOPTON, of Ala the Committee on
the Quartermaser's and Commissary Departments was
instructed to confer with the Secretary of War and pro,
cure II practicable such regulations as will secure 10
the people the privileges of transportation railroads
AIuON offered a series Of joint resolutions
relating the conduct OF the existing aud the late
proclamation OF the President of the United States
The resolutions contemplate the delivery OF captured
Federal officers to the State Governments for trial.
Mr. FOOTE preferred, in lieu of rstaliatsry measures
as suggested by the resolutions that attempt should
be made 10 stop The shedding OF blood BY movement
10 bring about peace Il would strengthen the friends
q peace the North, and perhaps have the effect OF
producing state OF things much desired, notwilh
standing the opposition OF the Abolition party He sig
nifed his intention TO Oder resolutions hereaiter-not
for the purpose CT Welding inch of ground to the
North-but to throw the entire responsibility upon the
Lincoln Government il these Of blood are 10
tinue.
Mr. DARGAN, Of Ala, took the ground that powers
at war must retaliate. The resolutions contemplated
the turning over of captured officers TO the State Gov
ernmeuts and to let them be punished according to
their laws lie did not think that correct but
pesed that tae Government should take the RESPONSE
b;y itself
Mr. LYONS of Va, suggested that the Government
had no power TO turn these captured officers tue
States Nor there any necessity for the reso.u
tops since the President has said ia his Message he
will do il unless prevented by Congress. He favored
the passage of a law prohibiting such course, and to
repose the power Of retaliation entirely in the hands of
| the Government.
when
Mr.. PERKINS, of La, moved that the House go into
secret session. The motion was lOSt-yeas %, nays 80
| Mr.. LYONS reganed the floor. When officer was
captured il there cause for retaliation We might
retaate upon him; il not were bound to exchange
him. They cOud not, by any law Of nations, when
captured by Government be turned over TO another
Government for trial He would prefer that any officer
captured in any State otter the PRONUNCIATION of that
proclamation, should be instantly hung not subject
linn 10 the uncertainties Of trial by jury.
Mr.. KENNER, of La, called the attention Of the
House TO the fact that this portion of the Presidents
Message was referred the Committee Of Ways and
Means That Committee was prepared 10 report
lie moved, instructed by the Committee, that the
House now 20 secret session for the purpose of
ceiving thai report.
The motion was agreed to, and the House went into
secret session
TNorE-In the House proceedings on Saturday it
should have been stated that the Speaker appointed Mr.
RoYsroS of Ark upon the Committee on the Quarter
masters Department. in place of Mr. DANKTNs, resigned
and Mr. BoYcE, OF S. c., upon the Committee OF Ways
and Means, in place of Mr.. BoNHAN, resigned.