Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-12-10
SENATE.
FRIDAY, Dec. 2, 1864.

FRIDAY, Dec. 2, 1864.
On motion of Mr.. Watson, the Senate
took up the House joint resolution propo-
sing the appointment of committee of
one member from each State in the House,
and such number as the Senate may deem
necessary, to memorabilia the Governors of
States and the State Legislatures in refer
ence to the exemption of able bodied men
for State purposes.
Mr.. Watson said that in making the
proposed inquiry as to the number of per-
sons exempted by the different States in
order that the matter might be brought to
their attention, and, if possible, of having
the number reduced, it had been stated
We would be making charge against the
States for dereliction or neglect of duty.
He did not think such an inquiry, made in
u respectful manner, as it doubtless would
be, by the committee appointed, would
give any offence to any State, or be looked
upon as an ofiCious interference with their
affairs. Such an Investigation, he thought,
would be productive of good. If any in.
equalities were found to exist by the States
in their Investigations such inequalities
might be easily remedied. If, on the other
hand, no such inequalities appear; then
the knowledge of such act would give uu-
qualified satisfaction. He had no doubt,
should any inequalities be found in any
State, those States would be prompt to
remedy them. He believed, however, there
had been some delinquency in OBTAINING at
home many persons who might DO better
employed in the army.
Mr.. Graham, ofNorth Carolina said his
views were the same now as expressed yes
terday. He was careless whether the res
olut;on was passed at this time or laid over.
He had no fears as to how his State would
stand in this matter. He was opposed to
the resolution because he could see no good
it would accomplish, on the contrary, it
might get up q quarrel which would do
much harm.
Mr.. Hill, OF Georgia, said be should like
to have the information called for by the
resolution. His own State had been alluded
to as one of the States which had more
men detailed for State purposes than would
seem to be necessary He did not know
whether such was the fact or not. He
thought, however, ii the resolution was
agreed to and the States appealed to 10
this matter, they would tako the appeal
kindly, review their system of details, aud
do their whole duty in the premises.
MIR. Walker did not agree with the Sen
ator from North Carolina (Mr. Graham. y.
He thought no quarrel could arise on
simple inquiry. The fact is we want more
men IN our armies. The committee are en-
powered to make the inquiry whether aDy
State has any men to spare, and If so, to
make temperate and respectful appeal TO
the State Legislatures to yield them to the
confederacy. This is all that is intended
by the appeal. Would it be supposed that
such an appeal would be looked upon by
the States as offensive, or as meddling with
their aFairs2 He did not think that should
the Governor of North Carolina, for in
stance, be appealed to, and asked to spare
some Of his detailed State officers, he would
reply that these things existed before the
war, aud we don't intend to make any al
terations in our laws. He (Mr. Hill) was
in favor of the resolution, for he thought
much good would result from its adoption.
Mr.. Orr favored the resolution, and did
not think any evil would result from its
passage. Ii we want more more men and
cannot get them by CONSUMPTION, we can
only get them by a respectful appeal to
the States. He did not think such an ap-
peal would be looked upon as offensive or
disrespectful, and he believed much good
would result from the passage OF the reso.
luton.
Mr.. Barnard, of South Carolina, opposed
the resolution because he did not believe
that any good would grow out of it. BE
thought the lesson was now being learned,
if it had not been before. that every exer-
ton should be made to drive back the in
vaders of our soil-that every man was
needed. Let rs do our duty, and teach
others to do theirs, by our silent example.
Addresses of the kind proposed would be
unWise. he did not think it would be nec-
essRry to use anything of this kind TO
stimulate States or Governors to do their
duty. Requests, too, are sometimes look
ed upon as laws. The States do not re.
Quire, now, to be taught by Congress what
they should do in this matter: The great
teacher is before us, and none will shrink
from the lesson. The State of North Gar
DINA is now engaged in legislating on this
very subject. He (Mr. B. would not put
weapon into the hands of her enemies-
they should not have it to say that he was
doing anything calculated to push her into
the line of duty.
Mr.. Maxwell should vote against the
resolution, because he thought no good
could result from it. Suppose one State
is found to have more exempts for State
purposes than another, can we determine
that this excess is absolutely unnecessary
that it is useless Can We tell what Off
GERS can be dispensed with? For this rea-
son he was opposed to the resolution, and
not because he believed any offence would
be taken if the inquiries were made.
Mr.. Semmes, of Louisiana, thought the
resolution Objectionable, because it pre-
scribed that the State found to have an
undue proportion of exempted men should
be appealed to with the view of having
the number reduced. He was opposed to
making any such appeal. he thought it
far preferable to make general appeal to
all the States. With this view he moved
that the resolution be referred to the Com
mfttee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Sparrow thought the resolution
should be adopted. 1t would doubtless
supply information much needed. Tho
people themselves did not know who were
exempted by the Governors, and this in