Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-04-14
Congress.


SENATE, Saturday, April A. In the Senate
on Saturday, Mr.. Clay of Alabama, introduced q
bill to provide for the CONSUMPTION of foreigners
which without being referred, as usual, was plac
ed on the calendar. The bill recently vetoed by
the President, relative to regiment of infantry
on duty at Fort Sumter, which 1t is proposed tc
convert into regiment of heavy artlIlery, was
taken up, and discussed at some length.
The bill was again passed-yeas l8, nays s.
|Messrs. Dortch, Hill, Johnson, of Ca. Mitchell,
and Phelan voting in the negative; Messrs. Da-
Wis, Brown, Johnson, of Ark, absent This is
the first instance of the overruling by either
branch of Congress of the Presidential Veto
The Senate went into secret session on the tax
bill.
HoUsE.-ln the House, several bills were pass
ed among them a bill to increase the pay of SOL
diers to SIS per month. A resolution proposing
change of the seat OF government was tabled by
large majority.
SENATE, Monday, April 6. Nothing of impor-
tance was done in the Senate il open session.
Several bills relative 10 naval affairs were intro
duced and referred. The Senate went into Sc
cret session on the tax bill at IL O'clock and ad-
ourned about o'clock, z. NJ.
HoUsE.-In the House, Mr.. Swami moved a
suspension of the rules to offer joint resolution
to the withdrawal of our Commissioner from
Great Britain. The motion did not receive a
SENATE, April Tin the Senate, Tuesday,
Mr.. Semmes introduced bill to authorize the
issue of per cent. bonds or certificates of stock
in certain cases, which was referred to the Com
mittee on Finance.
a joint resolution, introduced by Mr.. Henry,
relative to the navigation of Mississippi river,
was placed upon the calendar anG ordered to be
printed.
A bill introduced by Mr.. Wigfall, to facilitate
transportation, was referred to the Military Com
mittee.
The Committee on Claims were discharged from
the further consideration Of communication
from the Attorney General, trahsmitting reports
upon certain claims on file in the Department o
Justice.
The bill to amend an act to establish the Bu-
reau of Indian Affairs, was taken up ana passed
Ia the House, the Speaker announced the
committee on the part of the House, on the dis.
agreeing vote of the two Houses on the exemp-
ton of mail contractors: Messrs. Chiffon, of Al
ALBANIA, Holt, Of Georgia, and Atkins OF Tenn.
The Senate bill entlled ssAn act to increase
the strength and efficiency of heavy artillery fol
coast defeuces" was taken up. This bill had re-
lceived the sanction of the two houses, but was
sent back by the President, with his reasons fo
not approving it. The question was, ssshall the
bill pass, the Presidents veto to the contrary
Notwithstanding On this question the ayes
and noes Were had, with the following result
ayes 2, noes 59.
The bill to amend the act to provide for the
increase of the Quartermaster and Cemmi ssars
departments, reported from the Military Com
mittee, was taken up and, with slight amendment
passed by the House. (The bill amends the pres
ent law SO as to authorize the appointment, il
the above departments, at posts or elsewhere, o
soldiers who have been discharged from the mil
itary service.
HousE.--The House then resumed the consid
GRAFTON of the bill to provide forhold,ng election
for representatives in the Congress of the Con
federate States in States occupied by the force
OF the enemy but without final action upon tn,
bill, the House, at I-2 O'Clock, COX a reces
till 8 P. NJ.
During the evening session the House took III
the Senate bill to authorize an increase of com
pensation to route agents, and to increase IT,
per diem allowaneeto special agents of the Pos
Office Department which was agreed to.
Senate bill to esta abiish preferred mail acros
the Mississippi river, was also taken up an
passed.
The consideration of the bill to provide TO
holding elections for representatives III the Con
gress OF the Confederate States, was resumed
and after some discussion was postponed uCtl
the second Monday of the next session of Cor
gress.
| motion to reconsider the vote postponi D
the bill was agreed to by the following vote
ayes 81, noes 80.
| SENATE, April s.
! THE EXEMPTION BILL.
The Senate bill defining who are exempt frol
military service was returned from the House
Representatives with a substitute therefor.
On motion of Mr.. Sparrow, the Senate disagree
to said amendment, and asked committee {
conference. The managers appointed on part {
the Senate are Messrs. Sparrow, Phoian an
Mitchell.
/ BILLS PASSED.
/ The following Senate bills were read and pas;
ed:
To amend the act entitled an act to regulat
/ 5Iimpressments. The bill extends the provision
of said act SO as to embrace the impressment {
supplies for the Navy.
1 To provide for the transfer of persons servin
/ in tiis Army to the Navy.
To provide for having the laws relating to mi
litary and naval affairs digesteG and published.
The Senate then esolved into secret legiSla
tive session to resume the consideration OF th
Tax Bill.
+ HOUSE,
PAST MPREssMENTS.
II The pending order of business ander the ca
OF Committees, being nil 10 provide just con
pensaten in cases OF past stimpressment was take
up. The bill, as reported from the commltte,
makes it the duty of the Secretary of War
s cause to be detailed or appointed sCitable off
GERS or persons, in each military district, to az
lust and settle all claims justly arising from pa
IMP ressments Of private property for the use
the army, upon the principles and rules presci
bed oy the impressmeat act OF the present Sc
sion the commssl, ners to assess fixed sche,
ule Of prices in all cases in which the proper
impressed was, at the time of its seizure. Il
property of any other than a person who ha
grown, raised or produced the same, or had pu
chased the same tor his own use or consumptio
and not for speculation
4 Mr.. Machen's amendment, heretofore offere
was rejected.
i Mr.. Clapp, of Miss, moved the following
mendment, to be inserted after the word army
ssor where the same has been taken for the ~
/ of their commands by officers who executed i
forma! CT insufficient receipts therefor, and #
which proper receipts cannot now, by reason
the death of such officers, or other suficie
cause, be obtained.'
Mr. Baldwin was in favor Of the bill as it can
from the Committee. He took position that Il
farmers had constitutional right to demand ia
compensation for property seized, and that Il
estate OF the Secretary of War was liable for {
damages arising from such seizures, under b
order. without authority of law.
Mr.. Conrad moved to lag the bill and amen