Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-04-24

On motian, the S=natc resolved into ccret
so,n.on
TorsD.y, April 81, 1863.
HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES,.
NIGHT SESSION
The House resumed tho consideration O.
Tho hill 10 provide for the election Of lnembsrs
of Congress from districts ccuTIed by the
enemy.
The substitute, as reported by the commit
tee, for tho origusl bill, strikes Yut the names
OF MI States oAcept that of Tennessee.
The substitute war adopted in lieu OF tins
isinal biil-yeAs 80, nays 81.
The House refused to OrGcr the bill TO lis
O. grossmont--yn.s "a, nays 30.
MIR. ATKINS Of Tenn, obtanud conseat to
explain his vote. lie had constitutional doubts
on The subject, in respect TO antagonisin he
tween tho State md Confederate Conaiitu'
| tions, hut ho was willing 10 make ths experl
s1nent on thu side Of right and justice, for he
thought tho soldiers ought to vote. Tie vo-
tod IN tho affirmative.
MIR. CHIFFON ssii be thought it constitu-
tpnal 10 allow tho soldiers to vote, aud emf
ntntly proper. They retained their dolni-
c,lf, and in legal contemplation abasld be
considered st. heme wherever they may be
>ent to defend tho country.
But il The general ticket Ryatem is .drptt d,
our constitution does not justify us i'll limit
.n,, lhs election 10 psrson re ,ldng in each
district. They are TO represent the State,
and let them came from any part of the State.
Mr.. GnAv, of Texas, from tho special COM
ni;tce nppnin, ed upon that subject, submitted
Mr. u1nGe, of ~, submitted minority
report, which was read and argued, against
tho sale, under the sequostrAllon law, Of
pubiS domsn.
Pending The confederation ci Lhs bill the
House, Oil motion CT Mr.. Holt, Of GA, at
ourn d
| TIE HAXALI, cnENsHAw X CO. FLOUR CONTACT.
In the House Of Representatives, on Tues-
d,y, Mr.. Chiffon, from the committee 10
| whom was referred the flour contract OF
Mrstts. HsxAll, Ureushaw & o., made the
| following report:
Tie Committee on the Qnarte:master =
and Colnmisssries Departments, to whom
was referred tho resolutions Of the uouse, d.
recting them to inquire into and report "a to
tho contract made by the Oonwisaary Gene
rsl with Mess7s. IIayall, Orenshsw o., for
| supplies Of flour, have had the same under
| consideration, and instruct me to report:
That they llsve made q very thorough eX'
| animation as to The nature and terms OF con-
| tract, the parties Concerned In it al beneticla
ries, the manner 10 which it was contracted,
| its bona fdrS tho advantages which have
accrued and are likely TO result to the Gov
eminent on the one hand, and to Mess7s. lax
sll, Urenshaw & Uo., on the other, as well as
Tho rsasonahlenoss of said contract, the rela'
tive advantages it confera upon the Govoru-
ment over other comp etng proposals. AMI The
manner in which il has been executed by
orch Of tho contracting parties.
lin ordor to aaufS tho minds of the com
mttes more fully on these several points, sId
Of the necessity for making such = contract
Trey have axleuded the range Of their exam
inaLion ~ az TO embrace proof Of the facilities
aft u de.l by tie condition of the country, os
vol as by ,ts industrial and Agricultural re-
sources for obtaining supplies of flour; The
quantity Of wheat raised in the various sec
tons of Virginia om which wheat or, foul
could bo obtained d; tho number and capacity
of the mills in Richoond and in the neigh
BIO, hood of thu army and tho means and ap
plisncss used by tn, Commissary General te
obtain such supplies.
: Your committee herewith submit; the depo
sitiona Of tho various WITNESSES examined DO
fire them and copies Of the correspondence
of the bureau Of Subsistence, in relation t.
obtaining supplies of fl jur, rs also tho cor
ref p ondonce III relation TO the making Of tb'
contract with Mossrs. lIsxall Urehhsw &
Company.
Having thus examined and reported tn
fac,n in full, elected upon our examination oc
cupyms tho aesiduOus attention Of tho CON
m!tteo for several wseks, they might, per
h.ps, we'll close their labors without expires
sing their opinion upon these fact. but A
the public interest has sufsred by reason O
misrepresentation in rgard. to this contract, il
the withholding Of supplies Of wheat, III sem
ina,anGss the owners supposing that it v onl'
60 to awcll thu bloa;eI fortunes OF s:asEin;
rxto1loners and spectators upon hecountry
tie Committee are willing to assume any
measure Of responsibility which may BIO sup
posed to have been dsvolved upon them b,
the resolution of the House.
Without discussing tho policy, or attempt
, ing to demonstrate the necessity Of accumu
laiine large suppli.s Of flour in Richmont
beyond the reach ofthe enemy. to lie grount
+ Of wheat mostly obtained from section
which wero threatened to bs overrun by
foe, " no, regardless ofprivats rights as recog
nizsd by the laws Of civilized warfare, neve
fail to appropriate or destroy the property
which falls under bis control, the committe,
will proceed to state the following conclu
, slona to which their minds have been forcet
, by tho proof, and to which. In view Of tn
proof, they unhesitstingIy give their unsni
nous consent -
l. That prudent, precautionary measured
were adopted by the Oommissary General il
the manner of letting out this contract.
i 2. That the firm with whom the contrsc