Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-02-10
Congress.
SENATE, Feb. g.
EXEMPTION.

Affairs, to which was referred the House Dill Oh
Exemptions, reported the same back together
with the original bill from the Committee, which
was put on the calendar and ordered to be print
ed. It is entitled
ga bill to define who shall be exempt from
military service in the Confederate States.''
THG SUPREME COURT BILL.
was taken up and the debate upon it resumed.
Mr.. Henry, of Tenn, having the floor, pro-
ceeded to address the Senate in favor Of the bill
and in opposition to the pending amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Clay, of Alabama.
Mr.. Haynes, of Tennessee, replied in answer
to his colleague, and in defence Of the amend
ment. as
After Mr.. H. concluded his argument, the SEN
ate went into secret session.
HOUSE, Feb o.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION FOR THE SOLDIERS.
Mr.. Conrad, of Louisiana, introduced the fol-
lowing resolution:
ssResolution to provide homestead for the
officers and privates of the army of the Confed-
crate States.o
ssResolved, That the President be requested
to ascertain, as soon practicable, what terms
and conditions such of the Confederate States as
may own public domain, would agree to grant to
each commissioned and non-commissioned Off
GER, private and musician of the army Of the
Confederate States who may serve during the
war, and who may not already be possessed IN
his own right Of a homestead, one quarter sec
tion of land'
CLAIMS FOR IpEMNITY.
Mr.. Perkins, of Louisiana, introduced the fol-
lowing - as- M
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and
Means be instructed to report on that portion OF
the Presidents Message which recommend that
indemnity be provided for those whose property
has been destroyed by order the Government
Mr. Perkins sent up to the CLERKS desk and
had read a letter from a constituent, impioring
Congress to save the planters from starvation
and ruin, andrepresenting the losses they have
sustained in having their cotton burnt, their
plantations s.ravaged,o &c. Z,
The resolution was adopted.
THE EXEMPTION BILL.
The special order for the day was the exemp-
tion bill.
Mr.. Clopton, of Alabama, offered the follow
ing amendment, which was adopted. Ayes 81,
noes 20
ssInsert after the word ssStates'' in the 9th
line. the words ssand except those ministers Of
religion who are authorized to preach in accor
dance with the rules of their sects and are in the
regular discharge of ministerial duties.''
SENATE, Feb. 81
@ THE SUPREME COURT. 4
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
bill to organize the Supreme Court. The debate
ham, and Barnwell.
Mr.. Hill, of Georgia, then obtained the floor,
when the further consideration of the subject was
postponed until tomorrow.
HOUSE, Feb. a.
By Mr.. Clapp, of Miss, a resolution that the
Military Committee be instructed to inquire into
the propriety and necessity of legislation to sup
press gambling in the army. Agreed to.
Also, resolution that the Committee on
Quartermaster and Commissary Departments be
instructed to inquire whether officers and en-
ployees connected with these Departments are
not in the habit of obtaining supplies for their
families from these Departments are not in the
habit of obtaining supplies for their families from
these Departments at Government prices and If
SO, by what authority this privilege is allowed
them. Agreed to.
Mr.. Gray, of Texas, submitted sesolutons of
thanks to Major Gen'I J. Bankhead Magruder,
and the officers and men of his command, at Gal
weston, Texas. .Ae
BILL INTRODUCED.
By Mr.. Davis, of Miss, bill s.authorizing
transportation to troops who have volunteered
for the war; The bill was taken up and passed
The following is copy of the bill as it was
passed
Be it enacted by the Congress of the Confed
crate States of America, That the provisions of
the act of the 10Th April, 1862, known as an act
to ssfurther provide for the public defence,o
granting furloughs and transportation home and
back to all those retained in the service beyond
the time Of their enlistment, be extended to those
who volunteered for the war. A
EXEMPTION BILL.
The House then resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole, (Mr. Curry, of Ala, in the Chair,
and took up the consideration of the bill ssto de-
clare what persons shall be exempt from militia
rv serYice - The question was upon the substi-
tute OF Mr.. Collier, which was rejected.
Mr.. Dargan, of Ala, moved to recommit the
bill and its amendments to the Committee on
Military Affairs Without coming to vote, the
House went into secret session.
Previous to going into secret session, Mr.. Ly-
ons, of Virginia, offered resolution expressing
services of Major General Sterling Price, and
authorizing the Speaker to invite him to seat
in the Hall during his sojourn IN the city. The
resolution was agreed to.
SENATE, Feb. 4.-Mr. Sparrow, from the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, to which was referred
the resolutions of the State of Georgia, asking
an investigation Of the conduct of Quartermas-
ters, Commissaries, and Surgeons of the army,
reported the same back, and asked to be relieved
from their further consideration.
Mr.. Sparrow said that i. was directed in the
resolutions that they should be referred to the
Secretary Of War, and. therefore, it was not
proper for the committee he represented to take
action upon them. a1
Mr.. Hill, of Georgia, said he had only intro.
duced tie resolutions in obedience to the re-
quest contained in them, and he did not expect
the committee to act on them. The occasion for
the resolutions, he would repeat, as he did on
yesterday, were patent to erybody. isUtA
He did not think the commiSsaries or quarter
masters in the field were delinquents; but it was
well known that all along the lines Of our rail-
roads these officers We're taking advantage of
their positions to swindle the Government and
the pu5 bic and that numerous agents of the Gov
ernment were known to purchase stores at one
price and charge the Government another, pock
citing the proceeds, and retiring from business
after few months to some magnificent farm or
princely residence purchased with the results OF
their villiany. He hoped The attention of the
Executive Department would be turned to this
huge and growing evil, and remedies taken for
its immediate suppression.
THE SUPREME COURT BILL.
Came up again in the form of unfinished busi-
ness, and the debate on it proceeded.
Mr.. Hill, of Georgia, made an argument in IA
vor Of the bill, and in opposition to the pending
amendment,
Mr.. Phelan, of Miss, obtained the floor. but
gave way for motion, which prevailed, to 90
into secret session.
House, Feb. A.
APPROPRIATION BILL.
y Mr.. Kenner, of La, called for the order of the
day, the Appropriation Bill, and the House be-
ing resolved into Committee of the Whole, the
bill was read by sections for amendment.
The Committee having risen, and the bill hav-
ing been reported to the l. onse, was PISSED. and
sent to the Senate for immediate action.