Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-02-24


SENATE, Feb. I6.-In the Senate various bills
and resolutions were introduced, among them
bill making Columbia port of entry, and bill
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to employ
pilots. The latter was passed. The sscotton I'M
pressment billl' was postponed, and tho consid-
Grafton OF the exemption question resumed. AT
ter lengthy arguments presented by Mr.. Yancey,
OF Ala, and Mr.. Phelan, of Miss, the vote was
taken on the pending motion to lay aside the
Senate Bill, with the view of acting upon the
House bill, which repeats those clauses OF the
exemption Act relating to owners of twenty me-
groes. The question was decided in the negative
The Senate bill was then considered, by clauses,
until adjournment.
HoUsE.--The House passed Senate bill to au-
thorize the issue of bonds for funding Treasury
notes, with amendments also, bills for the re-
lief OF certain officers and soldiers from Missouri;
to refund to Alabama the amount overpald by
her on account of the war tax of 1867; to allow
minors TO hold commissions in the army anu
resolutions OF thanks to Gen'ls Magruder, " ak
er and Wheeler, and the officers and men OF tnelr
commands, for coed conduct in battle The
House spent most of the day in secret session,
considering the bill to fund the currency.
SENATE. Feb. 1.-THE Senate was chiefly oc-
cupied in the further consideration Of the new
exemption bill. An amendment was adopted
excluding from exemption department. CLERKS
who have been appointed since 10th April last.
Before the bill was finally disposed OF, the Sen
ate went into Executive session.
HousE.-In the House, Mr.. Gather OF N. u,
submitted the JOINT resolutions OF the GeneIal
Assembly, OF North Carolina, vind,catipg Inc
loyalty of the State, which were laid on the ia
bic and ordered to be printed. Among the Dlils
introduced was by Mr.. Miles, to res uiate the
navigation of the Confederate States and to eS.
tablish direct trade with foreign nations MT.
Foote offered a resolution, which was agreed TO,
IrnI int
| the of Quarterma ster Wood, a. set forth IN
a letter from II. P. Taylor, which be presented.
Most Of the day was spent in secret session on
the currency.
| SENATE, Feb. 18.-The Senate concurred in
the House amendments to the bill thorizlng
the issue of bonds for funding Treasury notes.
By the provisions of this bill all bonds issued
after the hundred million loan is flied up, shall
be made redeemable at the pleasure of the Gov
eminent at the expiration Of five years from the
date thereof. The Exemption Act was further
considered by clauses, aud various amendments
adopted.
HoUsE.-In the House, the Committee on the
Quartermaster's and Commits Departments
made report, indicating Major F. G. Ruffin
from any alleged connection with the -four con-
tract. bill comforting upon the QuarrermaSter
General the rank, pay and allowances of Brig
adler General, was passed. EOtDing else of inl-
pOrtance was done In open session.
SENATE, Feb I9.-In the Senate the Joint res
olutions from the House rendering the thanks of
Congress to General J. B. Magruder and the Off
GERS and men of his command, for TIE victory
achieved at Galveston, on the Ist January, were
| concurred in. The House ball refunding to Ala
bama the amount OF the war tax of 1862, over
paid by said State, was pass ID. The residue Of
the day session was occupied in the fu Their con-
sideration CT the Exemption Act. The vexed
question of exempting overseers was disposed of
by the adoption of an amendment submitted by
Mr.. Henry, OF Tennessee, exempting one person
on each farm or plantation owned by minor,
person of unsound mind, femme sole, or per-
| son absent from home in the military or naval
service, on which there are twenty or more
slaves, etc. The act of last session, to which
serious objection has been urged, exempted one
person on each plantation with twenty negroes
| tn ,reon, without the discrimination now deter
mined upon.
| HoUsE.-The House passed bill to prevent
fraud in the Quartermasters and Commissary's
| Department, and the obtaining, under false pre-
! tence, trar spotation for private property. The
Military Committee reported another Exemption
Bill which without being read, was laid upon
the table and ordered to be printed. The con-
sderation OF the Currency bill was resumed in
secret session.
SENATE, Feb. 20.-Tte Senate was chiefly
cupied in the further consideration of the Ex-
eupti0n Bill. An amendment was adopted ex-
empting one person on any farm OF which resides
a family of ten women and children dependent
tor support and protection on the labor and pres
ence of white man. The bill was sti pending,
when the Senate went into Executive session.
A motion to adjourn over until Monday was
agreed to.
| HOUSE Among the bills introduced in the
House was one by Mr.. Staples of Virginia, to
provide payment for private property impressed
for public use before the passage Of the act to
authorize and regulate impresSments. The bill
to provide for the arrest OF soldiers absent from
their commands without leave, occupied most Of
the morning hour; and, pending motion to
postpone indefinitely, the House went into secret
session on the currency bill.