Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-16

ter under tie control OF the Resdent and should nor
therefore, be a subject Of legslation.
After further debate, the bill was rrjected-yeas 4,
nays IL.
Executive session.
HOUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met at the usual boar. Prayer by Rev.
DR.. Hoge.
Mr. CHRISTIAN, OF KY, rosa and read personal ex.
pauation stating that in erd,rsng the campaigns of
General Bragg in Kentucky and Tennessee at the last
se,sop, it was construed by lection upon
Major General Breckinridge He discaimed any impu.
tston upon that officer and expressed the utmost Coz
fdeuce n and regard for him. and at the tame time re-
iteraed bis corierce in the ability and patriotism OF
Gen. Bragg
Mr. MCQUEEN, of 8. O, submitted joint resolution
of thanks to the Pedse Is. o. Artillery reenssed for
the war, which was unanimously adopted.
oo motion Of Mr.. GATHER, OF N. O., Gen. Brax.on
Bragg was unanimously invited to privileged seat in
the Houe durir g his stay In the city.
Mr. SIMPSON, of s. O., submitted Joint resolution
of thanks to McGoMsns brigade, of s. Volunteers,
re enlisted fer tn. war, which unanimously adopted
Mr. CHAMBLISS Of Va, submitted joint resolution
of thanks to tho Sarry Lghs Artillery, rsenlised for
tho war, which was unanimously adopted.
Mr. HANLEY, of Ark, from the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads reported bill TO authorize the
settlement Of the accounts Of Mail Contractors In easss
sous Of the enemy the act to be in force from Its pas
cage The bill was considered and passed
Mr. HANLEY presented . memorial OF certain Tou
and speial agents Of the Post Office Department, ask
ing an increase Of compensation, and reported bill
from the same committee to authorize increase not
TO eIcsed 500 for agents. and TO pay tbs travel
ing expenses while duty, OF special agsnte, not to
exceed ten dollars per day.
Mr. MACHEN, Of KY, moved 10 amend ths bill With
provso so that it shall apply to agent liable
military service, which was agreed to.
The bill then passed.
On motion of Mr. Chiffon, leave was granted to the
Conference Committee, the army bill 70 sit during
the sessions of the House.
On motion of Mr. JONES, the same privilege was ex-
terded to the Conference Committee the currency
and tax bills.
Mr. ATKINS from the Committee on Psst OHiosJ and
Pest Roads, reported Adversely TO the resolution to in
crease the compensation of the Postmaster and Clerks
in the MOBILE Pest Office and asked that the resolution
lay On the table.
Mr. ATKINS submitted resolution that the funeral
expenses of tie late Hon. JOIN A. WLsex be audited
and paid on OF the contingent fund by the Committee
on Accounts, which agreed to.
Mr. FARR0W from the Committee on the Medical
Department. reported amendment TO the Senate bill
10 repeal act regulating the granting OF furloughs
and dscharges from hospitals, which considered
and passed The bill extends aud doubles the time now
required by the existing Law on the subject
Mr. CURRY, of Ala, submitted joint resolution
truing the meaning of the to incress, the
pensaton of employees in the Executive and Leg ala
tive Departments 60 to eIend its provisions to disa.
BLEED soldiers detailed for clerical duty in those depart
ments The resolution was adopted
Mr.. SINGLETON, of Miss, submitted joint resolu
ton Of thanks 10 Poaguss Battalion of Artillery, Army
of Northern Virginia. reenlisted for the war which was
unanimously adopted.
Mr.. MILES, from the Committee of Military Al irs,
reported back favOraby, certain resolutions in relation
to the exchange of negro troops taken prisoners which
as ordered to be printed, and made the special order
at O'Clock tomorrow.
Mr. MILES, from the same commi tee, reported bill
to authorize the filing OF vacancies in oces in compa
MES battalons and regiments, of non commissioned
officers and priystes, distinguished for extraordinary
skill and yaor the appOintees to be selected from the
same orgaL zaons in which the vacancies exist. The
bill was considered shd passed.
MrHILES, from the same committee, reported favor
ably bill 70 authorize the organization OF auxiliary
BuTeaux and Agencies Of the War Department west Of
the Mississippi river. The bill considered and
passed
Mr.. MILES, from the same committee, reported bill
to repeal the act to organize bands of partisan rangers
aud Tor other purposes.
Mr. MAOHEN of KY, moved as an amendment.
provso that organic of partisan rangers acting
as regular cavalry az the passage OF the act shall be
continued in their organizauoD and not considered 90
partisan rangers. Agreed to.
The bill as amended was passed.
In connection with his report, Mr. MILES read let
ter from Gen. Lee recommending the abolition Of parti
san rangers for the reason, among Others that the
evil they caused more than counterbaanced the good
Mr. "a w BRUCE, from a special committee to in
ouire no the praccabiy Of obtaining salt by mining,
in certain counties in Southwestern Virginia. made
report, which was ordered to be printed.
Mr. HARTRIDGE, from the Committee Of Conferences,
on the amendment of the Senate to the bill 10 regulate
reported favoraby to the concurrence of
the House in the amendments.
Mr. Lyons CT Va, opposed the policy of Impress
ments as the of the present stngency Of supplies
and as having contributed more TO the generalization
of the people than any other cause
On motion of Mr. CLARK, of Ga, the report was
concurred n.
Mr. VILLERE, from the Committee of Military
A,jrs reported bill to organize corps OF scouts and
signal guards 10 facilitate Communication with the Trans
Mississippi Department.
The bill was considered and passed.
Mr. OHAMBLISS, from the. Committee on NAVAL
Affairs reported bill to autherzs the appointment OF
two additional clerks for the Navy Department, win
a salary not to exceed 81 500 per annum.
Mr. RAILS, of Ala, moved 70 amend so tna' no per-
SON shall be appointed who Is liable 10 military duty,
which Was agreed to.
Tae bill as amended was passed.
MrGARTRELL, from the Committee On the Judiciary,
n whom was referred resolution to inquire into the
-;e vbeu the term If the present Congresi e1pre',
renorted that in the opinion of the committee the term
~ oirsd two years from the 18th Of FebrRry 1854.
Mr RUSSELL, Of Va moved TO amend BY lnseriag
hat the legislative session shall expire on me itn