Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-14
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
SATURDAY, April Ilth, 1868,
The Senate met at IL o'clock, A. H.
Mr. HUNTER, of Va, in the Chair.
The TRANS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT.

Mr. HUNTER of Va, in the Chair.
THE TRANS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT.
On motion of Mr. OLDHAM il was
Resoiy,d That the President be requested to
ncate 10 the Senate at as early day practicable,
pies of all orders or letters from the War Department
10 any officer officers Of the Trans Mississippi Military
Department. regarding the military restrictions imposed
upon the commerce across the Rio Grande river, and
particularly upon the expectation of cotton to be re-
voked and annuled.
Mr. OLDHAM after submitting the resolution, ex.
pressed his regret at the necessity Of invoking the aid
oil the Senate TO obtain the desired information. The
bill prohibiting the exploration of cotton, except
through the seapors of the Confederate States con-
tanned provision authorizing the export OF that article
across the Rio Grande-a privilege which has been
rcted by the military authorizes to the prejudice Of
the interests OF the peope'of pexas.
Mr.. OLDHAM said that he had called the attention of
the President 10 these of gross usurpaOn and that
he expressed bis unqualified disapprobaton OF them {;
that subsequently hes Mr. o. had called upon the Sc
cretary of War upon the same subject and inform
ed that he had issued order to General Holmes, re-
curing him to revoke all restrictions. Mr.. OLDHAM
said he bad requested by letter. copy Of the said
der which the Secretary declined TO give IL was in
the shape of letter TO Gen. Holmes which a standing
rule precuded hin from furnishing He subsequently
wrote again to the Secretary, and had received
ply. He would call upon the Secretary, in person, but
could not submit to the rules which he has prescribed
regulating his official intercourse with Senator's without
saCfucng hlS sell respect ana degrading tee dignity Ui
his State. Mr.. D. commenced upon these rules a. some
length and remarked that il was duty Senators owed
only 10 themselves but to their States to raise
committee AMI demand what is due to them by the
other departments Of the Government if il Is not con-
! ceded 10 them.
THE MILITIA
Mr.. SPARROW, from the Committee of Military AZ
fairs, reported back, with amendment the HOu'e bill
allow Communication for clothing to militia in the active
service of the Confederate States. The bill placed
upon the calendar.
PUBLIcST on or THE LAWS.
The amendment Of the House TO the Senate bill au.
thorzng the publication of the public laws and resou.
tols Of Congress eoncurred in.
ABsENlEEs FloM THE ARMY
The amendment OF the House to the Senate bill to
prevent the absence OF officers and solters from the
army also cOncurrcd in.
THE AMERICAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
The Senate bill for the conscaou Of the leasehold
Telegraph Company and other alien enemies on the
lines Of telegraph in the Confederate States was taken
up and read
On motion of Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Ark, the bill was
postponed until Monday.
IMPORTATION OF COTTON
The Senate bill amend the act to prohibit the ex.
portaton of cotton from the Confederate States etc.
was on motion Of Mr.. BARNWELL transferred to the
secret CALENDAR
ARRlsr OF ABSENT SOLDIERS.
The Senate bill to provide for the arrest Of soldiers
absent from their commands without leave ana provd
ing compensation to their capors, was motion Of
Mir. BURNETT, transferred t9 tie secret calendar
THE GENERAL STAFF.
The Senate bill to amend the act for the establish
mcnt and organization of general staff for the army
of the Confederate States, approved February Goth,
1861 The il organizes the Ordnance Department
POSTAGE oN NEWSPAPERS, KTc.
The Senate bill TO prescribe the rates Of postage on
brief explanation of its provisions by Mr. OLDHAM,
| was passed.
MEDICAL PURvEYoRS.
! The Senate bill % increase the efficiency OF the
Medical d. partment," was taken up and discussed
The object of the bill is to organize the Medical Pur-
ve ors Department under the control OF the Surgeon
! General.
| Mr. SPARROW moved to amend the bill by striking
out the clause designating the frank" of the Puryeyors
Mr. PHELAN expressed the opinion that that clause
should be retained as the rank proposed to be confer
! red was only complimenary-the PuryeyOrs would
| have command
Mr. CLAY said that the objection to retaining it was
that rank was conferred upon surgeons Of the Pro-
visional Army and to confer il upon Purveyors would
| be to make an iuvidious distinction
Mr. ORR inquired why it was, then, that many Of
tie surgeons dpaye ed 'stars" upon their coat collars
| and other insignia of rank
Mr. CLAY replied that they held what was called an
"assimated rank" which he briefly explained.
The motion to strike out the word frank" then
agreed to. Other amendments were adopted, anS the
bill was then passed
On motion Of Mr.. CLAY, the Senate went into Sc
cret legislative session.