Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-23
CONFEDERATE STATES CONGRESS.
THIRD SESSION or HRsr CONGRESS-
SENATE.
FaIpAr. Jan. ~, 1884.

Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Langdorne, Of the N. z Church.
M. ORR presented the credentials of the Hon. Ed
WIN READE. appointed Senator from North Carolina
by Governor Vance, to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the resignation of Hon. GEoRsf DAVIS. NJ. RHADE
qualified and took bis seat in the Ssnae.
Mr.. JEAIS0N presented the memorial OF John b.
Read. Referred to the Committee Of Naval AfIirs
MILITARY COUNTS.
Mr.. PBELAN introduced a bill to amend the act 10
organza ltay courts 10 attend the army Of the Con
feeera,e States il the ID The object Of the bill is to
correct al erroneous construction OF the aci by the
Scretary Of War, under which the authority of the
ccmmandsr OF an army in matters relating to the dis
cipine OF the army, far as Affected By the military
courts, is transferred to the corps commanders.
Mr. SPARROW sad tina. this matter had already been
considered to some extent by the Committee of Military
Aff1.rs The act establishing the military courts re-
quired several notifications, and the committee now
gagged in framing bill embracing the desired amend
m;nts
The bill was referred to tho Military Committee.
Mr.. PHELAN also intro iuced bill to confer add
ona power upon courts martial aud military courts
The bill was referred to the same committee.
COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS.
Mr.. BROWN introduced bill to increase the oom-
pe1saton of the Commissioner Of Patents to 50e 10
oe paid out OF the patent Office fund R.ferred 10 The
Committee of Patents.
ABSENCE FROM TIE ARMY.
Mr.. SPARROW introduced bill to punish absence
from the army. Referred to the Committee Of Hillary
Afti,P.
TIE TsASoI COMMITTEE.
Ca motion Of nr. sEAAES, leave was granted to tie
Committee OF finance TO cit again, to-day duriog the
session If the Senate He stated that the committee
would report a bill Monday; and OH his motion, !:
was ordered that the bill be printed in advance OF Its
presenta ion.
RsoEss UNTIL MONDAY.
AZ .bo -
the Senate Ourn it viii adjourn until Monday next al
IL NJ. '- -'-s
RANK AND PAT or ADy0TASrs
Mr. SPARROW, from tn. Committee Of Military A.
fairs reported back adversely the Houss bill to fix the
rank pay and allowances of Acjutanls OF regiments
and independent battalions The bill was laid upoa the
table.
NAVAL INVESTIGATION RAPPORT.
Ga molten OF Mr. CLAY, the Sergeant at Arms was
authorized to ply $766 TO p Kean Esq, for superin
tending the printing, etc Of the report OF the Nav
Investigation Committee"
The House bill to prohibit dealing il the paper ear
IencJ OF the e1euywa taken up aud after some debate
upon the constutio7slty oil the measure, passed
mem. con- with amen dment ircoy perated in the bill
when &c was under consideration on Tuesday last.
Disturbing AGENTS..
Inc senate Dill 10 pEOEluo buo luNcst gallon
settlement of the transactions and accounts of quarter
MASTERS commissares contractors and and Cther fnan-
eal and ds5usitg officers agents and employees OF tho
Confederate States was taken up, considered and pass
ed.
TUGITIvEs FROM CoSscRIrHos.
The Senate bill declaring persons owing military
vice 10 the Confederate Safes, and WHO seek 10 avoid
such service by removing beyond the control and uris
die ion OF said Sass ael enemies and subj .cBg their
property 10 confscation, was next taken up
Mr. SIMMS oil KY, called attention to the effect OF
the prop sed law upon cit OF the Border ates who
had temporarily and for good reason Lot affecting their
loyalty, g) beyond the ujts Of the Confederacy.-
By she construction which would be given to the act in
the United States would be made appear that these
ctiz Us had been declared alien enemies By the Oonfed
ate Congress-.
Mr. OLDHAM raised the quts Of the constitution
Atty Of tue measure arguing that the States are each
sovereign and independent. The source power is the
pOlit cal community of which each State consists, and
each individual allegiance to the State in which he
is domiciled. Each political community or Safe de-
cides for itself who shall be members thereofotzens
OF the Safe and therefore the Confederate government
has no light refci-d any privilege Of citizenship grant,
ed by n sovereign State. Mr. OLDHAM presented other
points in bis argument showing that the bill in con-
H.ct with The Constitution.
Mr. PHELAN ard Mr. HENRY contended that the
bill was constitutional They presented their views OF
some length. Beiore the subject was disposed OF,
On motion of Mr. CAPERf0N the Senate resolved
INTO executive session, and soon after adjourned