The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-01-11

tee. authorized by Mr.. Foote'S resolution,
to inquire into the charge of corruption
agaiost q member of the House-Messrs
Lyons of Va, McQ1een of Q. c., and Atkins
OF Tenn.
The House then took up for consideration,
as unfinished business, the bill reported from
the Military Committee repeating existing
and regulating future exemptions.
Mr.. Welch, of Miss, said that, % the
chairman Of the committee was absent, he
moved to postpone the consideration of the
bill to some future day.
Mr. Foote signifed his intention to move
an amendment to the bill by striking out all
after the word "repeal," in the fourth lire.
He regarded this measure as q most dan
gerous one, and he would oppose 1t as he
would the armies of the enemy.
Mr.. Hilton, of Florida, said he thought the
fact stated BY the gentleman from Missis
sippi, to wit: the absence Of the chairman
of the Committee on Military Anairl, was
good reason for the temporary postpone
ment Of the bill. But as regards the an
nourcement OF the gentleman from Tennes-
see (Mr. Foote) that when its consideration
should be resumed he would move to strike
out all after the enacting clause, and then
propose it's recommitment, he would state
that he thought the gentleman, who had
stated that he never had voted for an exemp-
tion bill passed by this House, who took ex-
ception to the action of the committee, in
stead ofproposing to refer the matter back,
doubted whether the gentleman could frame
a bill which in oil its details would be accept
able even to himself At all events, the mat
ter could be as well dealt with In the House
as in committee. II the gentleman would
draft bill, he would promise him his co. op-
Grafton in perfecting it.
Mr.. Garland, of Ark, opposed the motion
thought it due to the Military Committee
that this bill should be taken up and per-
fected. He certainly thought that, Of the
number OF gentlemen composing the Mill
tary Committee, at least one might he
found competent to engineer the bill
through, even in the absence of the chair
man.
Mr.. Singleton, of Miss, regretted the alb.
sence of the chairman of tue Military Gem.
mittee, but entirely concurred In the views
expressed by the gentleman from Arkapeae.
He could see no necessity for poetponing It,
The question was called on the motion of
Mr.. Welch, and the House refused to post
pone~
Mr.. Singleton, of Miss, offered an amend
ment to the bill, to come in after the word
Governments, in the sixth line, to exempt
sions dve years previous to the 11th day of
October. 1852, and ministers of the Gospel
who were In the regular exercise of their
calling at the time above mentioned.
Mr.. Staples, of Va, who was entitled to
the floor, moved to recommit the bill and
amendments to the Military Committee, aud
said that that committee, ct the last session
Of Congress. reported bill similar to the
one now under consideration. 1t was re-
jected In the House by decisive vote. Let
Us earnestly hope that this bill may share
the same fate. He had voted against the
proposition then and there was nothing In the
condition of the country, or In the reasoning
Of the honorable gentleman from So. Caro-
Inns, (Mr. Miles, that would induce him to
change the opinion then entertained. He
(Ar: Staples) argued at considerable length
to show that the Secretary of War could not
perform the duties this bill would impose
upon him; that he (the Secretary would be
compelled to delegate the power to innu-
merable boards and agents, dispersed
throughout the country; that these boards
would open new sources Of patronage and
power; that they would be exposed to
all the temptations OF personal, political,
tion, and bribery-creating, by their de-
cisions, dis. .atisfaction among the people
and discomfort In the army. He In
sisted that the expense OF an universal
conscription would be enormous; that no
man could estimate the injury inflicted upon
all the industrial interests Of the country BY
the sudden stoppage Of so many callings and
pursuits until the Secretary Of War shall de.
termine who shall be detailed, and for what
purpose. The honorable gentleman from
South Carolina says that Congress cannot
agree upon Q bill-that the Military Com
mittee cannot agree upon q bill The
gentleman IL mistaken. It may require
time, bus an actul vote will always
test the sense of ths House upon any
proposition for exemption. The same
Commit to the President the whole subject
OF taxation and currency. Upon that ques-
ton there arc wider differences Of opinion
than any other In the whole range Of poiiti-
cal economy-diffarences - to princtple and
difference 9 to detail. But, cir, these didt-
culties do not relieve Congress from the
obligation of maturing such measuras OF
finance q the necessities Of the country de-
mand. The whole subject Of conscrlpticn
and exemption belongs 70 Congress, and 70
Congress aIone Il is . legislAtive power. .
Legislative discretion, and { legislative obi
CATION. Congress must declare wal, Con-
0ress must raise armies, Congrcse muse e.
terns;ne Who are 70 compose the armteA an0
Who are to be exempt from military serviees
For the proper exercise q this trues NE
neinbers are respectable % their ccnetItur
euts, to the country. and g pcsesasey. 49, ~
men rnon this foon lresh from the people,
and familiar with oil thstr wants. thei. Ne
ceeeitieo, and the diversified intereses q q
srfensive countryf Why, cir, We ase ssne
here for tbia purposc, and MAen We -
knoula6ge oarselvee incapable Of psnorm-