Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-01-26
coNFEDERATE STATES CONGRESS

In the Senate on Saturday, the 10Th, several
bills of an unimportant character, were passed
The resolution from the House of Representa-
tive in relation to the war was concurred in.
In the House, the bill to increase the rank and
pay of Adjutants of regiments and independent
battalions to that of Captain in the service to
which they may be attached, was passed.
Mr.. Garland, of Arkansas, introduced hu-
morous bill, ridiculing the proposition of mem
Der of the Yankee Congress to conscrbe one
million ofmen to release all the Federal priso-
ners in the hands Of the confederates, &c.
In the Senate Oh Monday, the 18th, Senate
bill providing for the appointment of an agent
of the r. o. Department for the Trans Mississlp-
pi. was passed. Also, House bill authorizin o
the appointment of Trans Mississippi Agent of
the Treasury Department Both Of these meas
ures were recommended by the presidnt in his
message to Congress. Resolutions were intro.
duced approving the action the authorities to-
wards Beast Butler, ETC., which were transferred
to the secret calender. The bill to amend the
sImpressment Act" was then taken up and ais-
cussed at some length, but was finally postponed
until the next day. The Senate went into Sc
cret session to consider the financial bill commu-
nicated from the House.
In the House the bill Of Mr.. Clapp, of Miss to
create an asylum for wounded and disabled off
GERS, priyates and seamen, to be called ssThe
Veteran Soldiers Home," was passed.
II,
the most important of which was bill for the
speedy and effectuaI punishment of officers and
privates who violates the provisions Of the act
regulating impressments.
The House then went into secret session on the
question of the Currency.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, the 18th, the
House bill to amend the act regulating imprss-
ments, as amended, Monday, was taken up and
passed. The act in its present shape provides
that property impressed shah be appraised by
referees OF the vicnage, with the right of appeal
to the Board of Commissioners in each State,
who are to continue to prescribe the schedule of
rates as now provided for by law. The House
bill proposed to abolish the latter function. It
remains to be seen whether it will concur in the
amendment striking out this provision. The
Senate also passed House bill to prevent deser-
ton from the army, and then resolved
into secret session to consider the bills
regulating our foreign commerce. The financial
measure passed by the House, in secret session,
has not yet been reported back to the Senate by
the finance Committee of that body.
The House passed bill providing that in ca
ses whore cotton, subject to money tax has
been taken or destroyed by authority OF the gov
ernment before the time for the payment of the
tax, said tax shall be remitted and refunded if it
has been paid also, providing for the suspen-
sion Of the tax in kind when the crop has been
taken by the enemy, or our own army without
compensation; and to suspend the collection of
all Confederate taxes when property has been ta-
ken by our army, until compensation shall be
made.
The bill to increase the ray of Clerks, was laid
on the table.
The House also passed bill providing for the
issuing Of certificates for the interest on the
Fifteen Million Loan, and that they shall be re-
ceivable in payment of export duty on cotton,
as the coupons of said bonds.
In the Senate on Wednesday, the goth, res
olution was adopted calling upon the Secret AIRY
of the Treasury for certain information in respect
to the funded and unfunded debt of the Confede-
rate States, on the 1st inst This information is
probably wanted by the Committee Of Finance
and We trust will be forthcoming very promptly,
as action on the finances is sorely needed. 'Tis
pity that the Senate did not call for the desr.
ed information at an earlier day !; but thus we
go.
The House was engaged almost exclusively in
the consideration of the bill to change the time
of the meeting of Congress in regular session
The bill from the Senate fixed the time on the
first Monday in May, but the House amended il
by substituting the first Monday in April. This
| House then went into secret session.
In the Senate, Thursday, the 21st, bill to increase
the salaries OF the Judges of the district Court was
| indefinitely postponed Mr.. Sparrow from the Com
mittee OF Military Affairs, presented lengthy Iepor
N relation to the office ofQuarel master Gereral-tht
resolutions at the end of the report declaring thai
Col. Myers is Quartermaster General. and tina
! Brig. Gen. Lawton the present incumbent, Is not.
document accompanying the report states that
in the judgment of the Senate, communicated to tht
President (ln response to from him for Its
opinion,) all officers appointed during the exisenc
OF the Provisional Government must be renominateC
to the Senate. Very few of these officers have beer
| re4omin ated fer confirmation.
The House reeonsidered the vote to fix the meeting
of Congress regular session the first Monday ii
April, and recOmmtted the bill.
Mr.. Perkins, of La submitted the following reso
lu1ons
RESOLVED, ThBt pending the suspension of the ex
change CT prisoners of war; it is the duty of Congress
to give expression of sympathy for the brave citize
signed to fore gn prison, and that every effort b
msde by the President to alleviate their condition
and supply their necessities will meet the cordial con
cu.rence of Congress.
RESOLVED, that until the enemy shall consent to re
Congress will cheerfuy make all necessary appropr
ations for supplying the wants of our fellow citizen
new in the hands OF the enemy.
RESOLVED, That in the opnon of Congress- 1t IS ds
srahe tC endeayor to make agreement with the er
envy for permitting the prisoners each side to be
tended by proper number OF their own surgeons,
be mutually permitted under ruleso be es. .abilshe
to take charge the health and comforts OF the pris
oners. with power to receive and distribute anon
prison ers all contributions made by their friends,
by the respective governments OF articles OF TODD, c
thing and medicines.
RESOLVED, That the President be respectfully
ouested TO communicate Congress the present sta
| of the questions pending between the two government
irelatve to the exchange OF prisoners
| olutin ado