Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-23
WrnNrsnAY. Anril 22. Is


Without action the House adjourned
WEDNESDAY, April %, 1868.
The House met at the usual hour. Prayer by the
Rev. Mr.. Duncan.
TIE sEQUEsTRAIION LAWS.
The House resumed the consideration OF the bill re-
ported by Mr. GRAY from the special committee 10
amend the several acts of sequestraon and for ndem
nifty of citizens of the Confederate States and persons
aiding the same in the existing war with the United
States
Mr. HODGE, of KY, offered the following substitute
Cor the first section:
"AIl enactments authorizing, directing or permitting
the sale of sequesered real property or slaves, are
here by repealed; but the provided for by the
original act and its amendments may make such orders
and DEGREES for the custody and management OF real
property and slaves shall preserve the same iiod
waste and damage"
Mr.. BALDWIN, of Va, supported the amendment
| which was agreed to-yeas "a, nays 20.
Mr.. PERKINS, of La, moved an indefinite postpone
ment of the bill and amendments. The effect oil the
amendment Just adopted, he argued was to undo d
proper act Of retaliation upon an Inscriptions enemy
Mr. HODGE opposed the motion to postpone the
effect of his amendment was not to undo an act OF re-
,ation but to throw guards around property, with
view 10 nm eventual return Of it its equivalent 10
those who have suffered from the con;calon oil their
property by the enemy.
Mr. GRAY, of Texas argued that the effect OF sus-
pension of the sequesraOn laws would be an ultimate
return to alien enemies Of the property taken by way
| Of retaliation.
| Mr. CONRAD of La argued TO show that seques
/ traiion as a financial measure, had been fiilure.
| Mr. Chiffon Of Ala, was opposed to any PROPOSE
| ton which involved backing down on our part lie
in favor Of sequestraton as means oil retaining
| Mr. WRIGHT OF Texas, favored the mo ion 10 pos =
pone chic fly on the ground that the old law was sui
| cient for all purposes.
| Mr.. GATHER, of n. c., argued that the right Of
eminent domain rested exclusively with the States, VINO
were interested in holding to the seQuestraton fund
for the benefit of their own citizens who might be sui
| ferers in this war.
Mr.. PRESTON, of Va, held that the right of confs-
cation was coutempoaneous with the very dawn oil m
ternationul law. 1t right always resoted 10 IN
war by the weaker party. The South was the weaker
psrty numerically, and the question of right having
been settled for hundreds OF years It only remained
now to dc eide the question Of policy. lie believed II
WAS our policy 10 adhere to former legislation on the
subject and to that extent cripple an enemy who had
| lated every Law Of humanity Whenever he had an
opnorluutv to give vote fer such purpose, ne would
give tie vote-he would strike the blow though he'll
should cape
Mr.. HERBERT of Texas, was in favor Of leaving the
subject of conhscaon to the States, whore belonged
lie showed that lands in Texas would not bring one
twentieth Of their value if forced into the market
now.
Mr. .RoYSTON, of AK taled the previous question
| which was ordered, and the motion to postpone wa
| lolt--yess 70, rays ~
| Tie committees substitute, amended, was theI
| agreed TO in lieu Of the Seuae bill.
Mr.. GRAY moved reconsideration which was no
agreed TO.
The bill was then rciected-ycas 81, nays 80.
HoMEsTEADs FOR orr SOLDIERS ETC.
Mr. CONRAD, from Special Committee of one lroT
each State reported bill TO provide homestead 70
discharged officers and soldiers which, his motion
was postponed and placed on the calendar
/ CONR from the same committee also report
ed bill for the relief Of disabled officers and soldier:
Postponed and placed Oh the calendar.
FRAUDS IL RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION.
, Mr.. FO0TE OF Tenn from the Special Commute
| on Railway Transportation, submitted report.
states that the committee is satisfied that enormou
frauds exist but the difficulty of procuring the attend
ance OF witnesses rendered investigation here almo
impossible The committee ask to be discharged froI
the further consideration Of the subject and recon
/ mend the adoption of the following resolution
Resolved That - be appointed committee, who's
duty shall be travel along The various lines of raj
way in the Confederate States for the purpose of nve
tgatirg the frauds in the transportation service; thl
his expenses be paid of tie contingent fund of tn
House: that he be authorized employ clerk; that
be empowered send for persons and papers, and this
: he report his action herein at the next session.
After debate, the subject postponed, TO be brolgt
| up in secret session.
WAYS AND MEANS.
: Mr.. KENNER, from the Committee on Ways an
Means reported back with amendments, Senate bill |
the act relative to assistant Ireasurers and Dcpos
: tares.
a An amendment offered by Mr. PARTRIDGE, to
the salaries of the Deposaries at Augusta and 81
vannah at "a 600, was agreed to.
Mr. GARRETT moved to amend by inserting a clau:
. adding sc per month to the pay OF soldiers
u VIC SPEAKER decided the amendment not in orde
Il when Mr.. GARRETT appealed from the decision bl
before the vote was taken the hour of recess arrived