Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-26
SENATE.

SENATE
WEDNESDAY, Feb %, 1868.
The Senate met at ~ o'clock, NJ. Prayer by Rev.
DR.. Moore, of the Presbyterian Church.
REPORTERS FOR THE PRESS
Mr.. WIGFALL rose TO a privileged question He
detained from bis seat yesterday by indisposon
He had from the city papers that the reporter Tor
Of them, 1.-THE Enqurer) had not only failed to re-
port the remarks of Senator (AIr. BRowN OF Miss
but had published his own views of that Senator 3
opinions and also of his private and public character
The Senate is composed OF the representatives OF the
different sovereign States and its members meet for con-
sutalion and action No other than Senator has
Il right to a seat this floor. The Senate had allowed
seats the reporters of the press that the public might
be informed of its action, and the reasons for IT. he
moved that committee be appointed to advise action as
to the conduct of the reporter of the Enqurer-thc
paper in which the report appeared.
The motion was agreed to, and the following commit
tee was appontcd Mcssrs WigfalB Yancey, and john
son of Ark
THE EXEMPTION BILL.
The engrossed bill defining who shall be exempt from
military duty takcnup as the unfinished business
Mr. SIMMS, OF KY, addressed the Senate, at length
in opposition to the system of exemptions.
After remarks by other members explanatory OF their
votes the bill was passed-yeas A. nays ~.
NAVAL AFFAIRS
Mr. BROWN, of Miss, introduced bill to establish
a volunteer navy. Referred
lie also reported from the Committee on Naval Affairs
bill to amend the act authorizing the Secretary Of
the Navy to make certain contracts without advertising
for proposals. and
A bin to authorize the appointment of register, an
additional clerk and craftsman for the Navy Depart
ment.
TREAsURERs AND DEPosITARIEs.
The Senate bill to amend the Act in relation to As.
sstant Treasurers and Depostaries taken up and
passed.
OP
The bill to establish the rank of officers in the army
then taken up and on motion of Mr.. ORR, transferred
to the secret calendar whereupon, on motion OF Mr.
ORR the Senate resolved into secret legislative session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House was opened with prayer by Bishop Early,
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
PRINTING ORDERED.
Mr.. BARKSDALE, of Miss, from the Committee on
Printing reported back the resolution TO print 1000
copies of the Journals of the Convention which framed
the provisional and permanent Constitutions and the
journal of the Provisional Congress- with amendment
reducing the number to $500.
The amendment was agread to and the resolution
passcd-ycas "a, nays %.
TAX BILL.
Mr.. KENNER of La, from the Committee on Ways
and Means reported bill to lay taxes for the common
defence and to carry on the Government of the Con-
federac States. Ordered to be printed and made the
special order for Monday next.
PROPERTY STOLEN by THE YANKEES.
Mr. CHAMBLISS of Va introduced bill to amend
the act to perpcuate testimony IN cases OF slaves alb
Quoted or harbored by the enemy of other property
seized, wasted destroyed by them. Referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
SOLDIERS ABSENT FROM THEIR COMMANDS
The bill reported from the Committee on Military AZ
fairs by Mr. MILES entitled An act to provide for the
arrest of soldiers absent from their commands without
leave and providing compensation to their captors,
came up as unfinished business and afer debate in
which the bill was opposed by Mr.. SMITH, of Va and
Mr.. Hour, Of Georgia,
Mr. HOLT moved to lay the bill on the table, which
was agreed to-yeas 81, nays 81. |
The House then went INTO secret session to consider
the Currency Bill