Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-31
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Congress

SENATE, March Gath ! n the Senate Mr.. Old
ham, from the Committee on Postal Affairs, re
ported bill increasing the rates OF postage OH
newspapers, periodicals, etc. The Impressment
Bill was passed, and having previously passed
the House, only awaits the approval OF the Pres
dent to become law. The Senate spent the
remainder of the days session, in the further
consideration of the Senate bill establishing
Court of Claims, which wss finally passed. The
bill provides
1. That the Court shall consist Of chief jus
tice and two chief justices, to be appointed by
the President, two OF whom shall be quorum,
and shall hold annually at the seat of Govern
ment two sessions, commencing in May and No
vember
3. The said court shall have jurisdiction of all
claims in Law and Equity against the Confeder
ate States, and shall have power to regulate the
whole practice of the court, to appoint commits
sioners to take testimony, etc.
8. The court shall have power to issue attach
ments, etc.
4. Regulates the taking of testimony before
Commissioner, etc.
5. The chief justice and each associate justice
shall receive salary of $5 900 per annum, and
shall be sworn to administer justice, etc.
6. The court shall appoint clerk, an assistant
clerk, M srShal and master, who shall per-
form such duties as the said court shall direct
The clerk shall receive salary of So 500, the
assistant $2,000 the marshal ST 200; and the
master So, 500.
Z. The clerk of the court shall, under it's di-
rection disburse the contingent fund.
8. solicitor and junior solicitor to represent
the Confed, rate States before said court shall be
appointed by the President. The solicitor shall
receive 81 900 per annum, the junior solicitor
/ So, 900.
9. Claimants may plead and manage their own
cases personally. or by assistance OF counsel ad-
mtted by the court.
10. The court shall have power to call upon
any of the Departments Of the Government for
information, ETC.
Il. In any case where the matter in dispute
exceeds 700 appeal may be taken to the
Supreme Court.
II. Regulates the manner Of taking an appeal
TO the Supreme court.
13. Authoriz $ The Supreme court to inspect
the record, etc.
IA. Requires the court of claims to report to
Congress at each session catalogue of all ca
seS finally decided in favor of the claimants, etc
10. All claims originating during the war shah
be barred unless suit be instituted within two
years atter the date Of the ratification of treats
OF peace All other claims shall be barred u1-
less suit be Instituted within four years after the
establishment of the court, or after the same shat
have originated.
10 The court shall have power to procure
rooms. etc., at the seat Of government
IL. No Senator or Representative in Congress
shall be allowed 10 practice in said court as al,
lattorney or agent.
| 18 The Department Of Justice shall provide q
seal for the said court.
HoUsE.-The House of Representatives was
engaged in the further consideration of the As
Sessment Bill
/ SENATE, March 25th.-Bi.ls originating in the
Senate, were passed, providing for the payment
in coin, at government expense, Of the salaries
OF our commissioners and other agents in foreign
ports; continuing in force the provisions OF the
act Of May, 1861, relative to ten year bonds and
two year Treasury notes and providing for tie
publication of the laws and resolutions of Con
gress. The tax bill. from the House, was re-
ceved and the Senate then went into secret ses-
sion.
| tloUsE.-In the House, Mr.. Martin, the new
member from Florida, appeared and took hi
seat. The consideration of the bill for the as
sessment and collection of direct taxes and in
ternA duties, occupied the entire session. An
important amendment, offered by Mr.. Holcomhe.
was adopted. 1t provides that when the holder
Of any credits, whose duty it is to give in the
same fer valuation, sha;l have refused to accept
Confederate Treasury notes in discharge thereof,
then alfsuch credits shall be valued as payable
in gold and assessed at the market value of gold.
IN Confederate notes, at the time cf assessment
AT the time of ad djournment the House had the
9th section under consideration,
| SENATE, March 26.-In the Senate, several
bills Of an important character were passed -
The session was chiefly held with closed doors.
When the doors were opened the Senate adjourn
ed until Monday.
HousE.-The House receded from its amend
ment to the Senate resolution urging the agricul.
turists to raise large prov sion crops. The As
SesSment bill was luther considered until ad
ljournment, and is still pending The House ad
.journed until tomorrow.