Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-20
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
SENATE.

SATURDAY, April is, 1868.
The Senate met at IL o'clock, A. N. Prayer by the
Rev. Dr. Burrows, of the Baptist Church.
A joint resolution from the House, authorizing the
payment of rent for the building occupied by the Quar-
termasters Department, was read and passed.
On motion OF Mr.. HILL, the motion to reconsider
the bill To establish additional military courts was taken
up and the question the said motion being put was
decided in the negative-yeas 10, nays IA.
The resolution from the House fixing the day of ad-
iournment of Congress, taken up.
Mr.. CLAY moved to amend the resolution by strik-
ing out '2Oth April" and inserting 9th April
Mr. BURNETT suggested that LIST May be substituted
for the day fixed in the resolution.
Mr.. SEMMES expressed the opinion that Congress
could not complete the business before it prior to the
LIST Of May.
Mr.. JOHNSON said the better course would be to
postpone action upon the resolution for the present.
On his motion the resolution was laid upon the table,
The Senate then went into executive session.
When the doors were opened, Mr.. CLARK an
nounced the death of Hon. WM NJ. Cook, of Missouri,
and submitted a series of resolutions, which were
adopted
Euogies of the deceased we're pronounced by Messrs.
CLARK PEYIoN and JOHNSON, of Ark, after which, on
notion the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House met at II o'clock, and was opened with
prayer by the Rev DR.. Seeley.
THE EXEMPTION BILL.
Messrs. GRAHAM, LYON COLLIER and MCLEAN asked
leave to record their votes the Exemption Bill they
having been unavoidaby absent at the time of its pas
sage ON Thursday; when
On motion of Mr.. G00DE the rule suspended to
enable members thus situated record their votes
-MessIs. GRAHAM LYoY WRIGHT, Of Tenn, CHAM RRs,
JOHNSON and TRIPPE, voted in the affirmative, and
Messrs. COLLIER, MCCLEAN GAiNErT, GooDg, HoL-
coMBE and AsHE in the negative The total vote on
the bill-yeas 49, nays 3S.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DEATH or HON. WIN. Al. COOK
Mr. VEST Of Mo-. said it was his painful duty to an
nounce the death of bis colleague, the Hon. WIN N.
COOKE which occurred III the city of Petersburg the
morning of the l4th inst Mr. VEST went ON to give
sketch Of the early history Of the deceased commenc
ing with his nativity in Portsmouth, Virginia and fol-
lowing on through his subsequent brilliant in
the West His public services TO the Conederacy were
alluded to- and the speaker dwet with emphasis upon
his private virtues, while his faults only Of no.
bic and generous nature, which endeared him to bis
friends and associates Towards the close of his
marks he drew a touching picture of the widow and
orphans, standing upon the bank of distant river,
vainly awaiting the coming Of loved husband and
father ignorant of the fact that lie had sowy and qui
ly ebbed his life away in ar-off land. In conclusion,
Mr.. NEsr moved the adoption of the following resolu
| tons
Resolced, That we have heard with deep regret of
the DEATH in the city of Petersburg Va the 18th
inst of the Hon. WILLIAM Al. Cook, member Of this
House. from the State Of Missouri and that tender
his family our earnest sympathy in their affective be-
reavement.
Resolved That copy of these resolutions be trans
mtted to the family of the deceased, and that COM
munication be sent to the Serate informing that body
| of the action of this House.
Resolved That as further mark of respect to the
| memory of the deceased this House do now adjourn.
Mr.. BELL, of Mo, seconded the resolutions and
proceeded TO pronounce an appropriate eulogy.
He was followed by Messrs. ii. w. BRUCE, oil Ky,
| GARLAND, of Ark. CURRIN of Tenn, CHAMBLIss and
BALDWIN, of Va after which the House adjourned to
| Monday,