Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-10
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS. ia
SENATE.
TnuEsDAY, April 9, 1868.

SENAAE.
THURSDAY, April 9, 1868.
The Senate met at IL o'clock, A. N. Prayer by
Rev DR.. Read, of the United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. MITCHELL, Of Ark, introduced a resolution d.
recng the Secretary of War furnish to the Senate
in secret session. certain information relative 10 the
troops in the Trans Mis-, issippi Department
Mr. SPARROW moved TO amend the resolution By
out the words that the Secretary of War be
directed" and substituting 'tbat the President be Ie-
ques ted to cause TO be furnished"
Mr. Sparrow said that the uniiorm practice of the
Senate had been 70 call upon the President for any In
formation desired from the heads Of departments. He
suggested several objections 10 any departure from that
practice.
amendment and argued that the decision OF the ques
ion now presented should be regarded as test, whe
Their the Senate should in future apply direct to the
heads Of departments for Information, or to the Pres
dent.
Mr. ORR read from the journal OF the United States
Senaie of the session 1878 10 shoF that in several
instances resolutions had been adopted, calling directly
upon the heads Of the Department for information He
was however OF the opinion that the practice which
had obtained in the Senate was the proper one, and
hat opinion would influence his vote. If the heads OF
Department are to be called on for information, the
Senate NAV also call upon the heads of bureau clerks
Mr. SPARROW read passages from the acts estab-
fishing the War aud Navy Departments, to show that the
heads of each were entrusted with the management; of
affairs IN their respective Departments under the drec
lion and control OF the President.
Mr. OLDHAM of Texas said that this question had
been discussed in the early days OF the old Government
lie had been looking Mr. JeerSOns letters, few
evenings since aud observed that he had given his
opinion that all communications should be directed TO
the Presid mt anu not TO the heads of Department
Mr. BROWN of Miss, said he would vote against
The amendment he was opposed to any further &C.
emulation Of power 10 the hands of the President In
seventy years. under the old government the President
had not accumulated much power our President
had accumulated in two years. He would trust
the present incumbent any in o. the Con-
fsderacy Il was the official, the man, with whom
a., Rad 10 deal. lie wanted the heads Of Departments
70 understand that they responsible 10 Congress
He ould send demands to them for information con
tanned in their archives and if rot compiled with de-
corousy, be would not be slow in fading means for
compelling compliance.
Mr.. YANCEY expressed his concurrence in much Of
the argument adduced by MessrS. JOHNSON and BRowE,
but he would vote for the amendment because depar-
ture from the practice Of calling upon the President for
Information which I ought TO be- IN the possession OF
tie head Of q Department, would lead a division OF
responsibility, to which he opposed. lie wished to
fix The responsibility upon the President.
After further debate, the amendment was agreed to
yeas 10 nays G. Nessrs Baker Brown, Clark johnson,
Mitchell and PeytOn.) The resolution, samended, was
then adopted
Mr.. SPARROW introduced bill 70 confer upon the
Chief OF the Bureau of Ordnance the rank, pay aud
emouments Of a Brigadier General of the Provisional
army.
sccre. legislative session.