Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-22
BoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Inc uLu lSleu COuel5IHB VI buo Ohl VI
CLARK of Ca to repeal the potatoe clause of the tax
Act, was taken up.
Mr. HILTON, of Fla, moved TO amend so az TO su-
thozs the producer TO commute the value Of the pOta
toes in money. Agreed to.
TIE bill as amended was then real third lime ard
pissed.
On motion of Mr.. CURRY, the rule was suspended.
and the bill 10 thWth sent 10 the Senate.
Mr. II. w. BRUCE, of KY, submitted resolution
requesting the speaker to invite to privileged sests on
the Dor Gents $. B. BUCKsER PgEs1oS, and j. S.
WILLIAMS
Nj. FOOTE moved to include Gen. McCowl. Agreed
to.
Mr. BRUCE presented joint resolution to correct
the record Of the War Department. wherever the 9th
regiment Of Kentucky infantry is mentioned az the Sh
Kentucky Referred.
Mr.. BRUCE presented some written suggestions of
fin lncisl relief. Referred.
Mr.. EILES of c., introduced bill entitled act
to continue in service all troops in the service Of
the Confederate States:
Sec lst The Congress of the Confederate States Of
America DO enact That all musicians privates end
commissioned officers now 10 the armies Of the Coned
crate States, by virtue of volunteering enlistment
consCrpio into the military service of the Confederate
States be and the hereby retained 10 said
vice for and during the existing war with tie United
States and no longer.
Sec "a. Be It further enacted, That all troops re-
tanned in service shall continue to serve in the comps
MES ba.tal0as, squadrons, batteries and regiments in
which they now are until transferred detasd exempted
and discharged, 10 accordance with existing laws and
regulations such laws and regulations may befeaf
ter be passed and adopted in reference 20 transfers. de-
tails exemptions or discharges IN the armies OF tie Cons
iedeate States.
Mr. Miles said that when the CONSUMPTION Act was
passed the cond ion of the country demanded is as a
IN easure Of imperative necessity That law exp red
by its own limitation the 18th Of April next when
the troops would 20 of service He presumed there
IN fba uhO unnl1 tbap
prie of this measure under tue circumstances The
dissolution of the army at this time would ruin the
country. He had never heard any expression from the
army ltat indicated unwingness TO continue in SER
vice until our independence established. He 'tOOk
the bull by the horns and wished his opinion 20 out
TO the c:unty that no opp Ised to re0rgaozl
ton OF the army. lie sympAth zed with the desire Of
the soldiers for reorganization but he did not hesitate
to affirm that reorganization in the face Of the enemy
would result 10 Reconciliation.
1t was fatal error in tae first con c-pon law to al
low reelection of officers. He frankly svowed that r,
organic tOn would be the ruin OF the army ashe light
of experience showed and he appealed to the army to
sain bis views. He Was willing 10 receive any mes-
sure Of unpopularity that might be attached TO it.
Mr.. GARFIELD, of Ca, moved to amend the bill 20
as 10 allow said companies, battaions, regiments &c,
reorganze under such terms might be prescribed
by the Secretary of War.
Mr.. READ, of KY moved to smend 80 as to allow
troops from the STAG of Kentucky to themselves
and bee me part of the cavalry srvice.
The hi and amendments were referred.
kr F00IE ubmitted a resolution that when cur SOL
diers re-cOnscriped they shall be allowed elect
their ofBcsrs
Mr. FO0TE said he totally d,ssented from the views
of the gentleman from South CAROLINA. The sclders
who had been serv together for year, and had tssed
the quRli6ca ions Of their officers should be allowed
the sacred right Of choosing them He would go fur
Their Il was extremely important TO secure feeling Of
content AMI satisfaction in the army. A portion of it
had already suffered defeat and democrat zlton by hav
ing obnoxious officers in command. No officer should
be allowed to command, who did net possess the conf
dence of the soldiers. The officer naval military
who unfortunate to oss the confidence Of Il
men under his command, may trace it 10 wart of
merit He could cite cases from Napoleon down. Illus
tIang IT, Eothusiasm s5oi be re-aHakened by allow
ing them to select their officers. The resolution was
referred.
Mr. HEISKELL, of Tenn. presented plan Of fran-
cial relief. Ordered to be printed
NJ. F00TE presented various letters from ffsrelt
parts of the army, rearing to the abuse of the conscrpt
Law; the exemption of Surgeons the duty of Congress
to provide artificial legs for soldiers who had lost
in battle, H.. Reerrtd.
Mr. GRAY, Of Texss, introduced bill supplementary
to and ameDdaory of the act for the sequesraton Of
tie property of alien enemies. Referred.
Mr. SEXTON, of Tex's, submitted a resolution in
structrg the Committee Military Affairs to enquire
into the exp. dency OF furnishing officers and soldiers
with ratl0nR ana uniforms at government price,.
Mr.. SEXTON cad he had received letter from al
officer osng that their expenses double their
pay ard it would be mposs Die for them to up to
the requirements Of the services unless there was a
change. The resolution was adopted aud theetter
feIred
Mr.. OHAhBLIS5 Of Va, introduced bill author
izng ldOrS to purchase subsistence for their families
at cost prices Referred
Mr. CHAHBLISs said the bill provided 70! the pur
UL.s.I .L~ 10000 Nvns'-i----y = ---A-;~
amount Of supplies by families of soldiers. 1t
imperative necessity that the privilege should be al
lowed Many of the families Of soldiers refu-
gees and unless they could obtain subsistence would
be forced back within the lines OF the In such
case where his wife and children are suffering and
crying for bread, the father would be forced to obey
the ms incts and dictates Of nature.
Mr. RUSSELL, Of Va, submitted resolution in-
structing the Committee on the judiciary to inquite
into the expedency Of eoac ing
lst That notes of all banks in the Confederate States
held by aliens be con6scated.
ID. Tha. all such notes which shall not be deposited
in the banks respectively which have issued the same
within ninety days after the pass &c of this ac shall he
presumed to be held by alien enemies.
Sd. That any bank which may incur Indebtedness 10
the Government by reason OF such con6scation, may
discharge the same, any part thereof wi hiu GER
tain time by paying tenth thereof in specie to the
Confederate States.
4h. To apply similar principles to coupons and other
paper negotiable by delivery Adopted
Mt RUSSELL Introduced b II to place in the military
service certain persons who have employed substitutes
which was laid on the table for the present. .
Mr.. G00DE of Va, presented joint resolutions of
the Legislature of that State in relation to the compen
saon of cavalry for the of their horses, and when
lost in battle; and to furnish tobacco raons to the
soldiers Referred
The special order being the bill to provide for the
lief of wounded and dablsd officers and soldiers it
taken up,
Mr.. READ, of Ky offered and advocated his substi
tute''
On motion of Mr.. FUNSTEN, the bill and substitute
postponed and paced the calendar, and order
ed to be printed.
The next bill on the calendar was the bill relating 10
impressments reported ftom the Committee che just
cisry. Mr.. GARrRELL explained the bill, aod various
gentlemen proposed amendments. The bill was read /
tue third time and adopted. The following is the bill