The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-20
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
SENATE.
SATURDAY, February Is, 1866

PRAYER by the Kew. NOOeEt Uate"oou'
of the Episcopal Church.
Mr.. Vest Of Missouri, introduced q
bill providing that all reserve. persons
w;thin the preserve" age, who shall be
refugees, shall be enrolled at the places
Of their temporary residence, wherever
that NAV be, within the Confederate
States at the time of the passage Oh
the bill. Referred to the Military Com
mittee.
Mr.. Wigfall, from the Military Com
mittee, reported back adversely House
bill to amend the act to furnish the army
with tobacco. :,
Mr.. Wigfall, from the same, reported
back favorably House bill to secure the
more efficient transportation Of troops
and munitions of war. Considered ana
passed. :,
Mr.. Wigfall, from the same. reported
back some papers relative to the quality
of tobacco furnished the army, and
asked for a select committee to consider
and inquire into the subject.
It was ordered that the Chair appoint
the select committee.
House bill to regulate the promotion
of officers, under certain circumstances,
was reported favorably from the same
committee and was passed.
Mr.. Semmes from the Finance Com
mittee, reported back, with amendments,
House appropriation bill, which,
On motion, by Mr.. Brown, was post
poned till Monday.
House bill to diminish the number OF
exemptions and details was then taken up,
the question being on agreeing to certain
amendments proposed by the Senate
Military Committee.
The amendments were agreed to with
out discussion, and the bill passed in
the following form:
"a BILL TO p1M1y1sH THE NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS
AND DETAILS.
"Ine CONGRESS of the Confederate States Of Amsr-
9ico do enact, That much Of the act to organize
forces to serve during the war;, approved February
1864. as cxempts one person as oVerseer or asri-
Gulturist on each farm or plantation upon which
there were, at specified times fifteen able-bodled
field hands, between the ages OF sixteen and nifty
upon certain conditions, is hereby repca led I1o-
rided, That exemptions of persons over forty.
years of age may be granted under the provisions
Of the act aforesaid, and said shall be liable
to military service upon the expiration OF the time
Tor which they recelveu exemption Dy reason VI
having executed bonds for one year from the date
thereof.
+, che Ne ssg.iG or detail il Ssa b
virtue of said act, except Of persons lawfully re-
ported by a board Of surgeons as unable to perform
active service in the field; persons over the age q
forty years, and of laborers. artizans, mechanics
and persons of scientific skill employed by, or work
ing for the Governments State or Confederate, and
shown by proper testimony to be such laborers art
xans, mechanics or persons OF scientific skill, ano
with the exceptions all exemptions and details
heretofore granted by the President Secretary OF
War, by virtue of said act, are hereby revoked.
"SEcrIoN 8. That all skilled artizans and me-
chanics who are engaged in the employment OF the
Government Of the Confederate States are hereby
exempt from all military service during the time
they are SO employed Porided. That persons
whose services. labors skill may be more usetuy
employed for the public good at home than in thu
field to be determined by the Secretary OF War, OF
the sworn testimony Of dsinterested witnesses, UNI
der such rules and regulations he may prescribe
and the names Of all persons exempted or de-
tailed, together with the reason for the DETAIL shall
be submitted to Congress at the beginning Of eacl
session."
On motion. by Mr.. Burnett, the Senate
then resolved into secret session to con
slider the negro soldier bill.