Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at the usual bour-the SPEAKER
in the chair
PRAYER hy the Rev. DR.. Duncan.
The SPEAKER announced the following as sle
committee on the arrest OF Hon. HENRY ). FoO11!
Ncssrs. CLAREE of Missouri, GILMER of North Car
roua. 'CBILT0N OF Alabama, GHOLsoS OF Virginia,
and McCALLuN, OF Tennessee.
SENATE MATTERS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House Senate
bill 10 amend al act approved August ~ 1861, en-
titled an act TO provide for local defence aud special
service and an act approved October 10, 1862, eui-
lied an act to authorize the formation of volunteer
companies for local defence Passed.
Also, Senate Joint resolution OF thanks to Gener-
nj stand Waite, Colonel Gano and the officers and
men under their commands. Passed. -
OFFICE or DEPOSIT.
Mr.. LYON, from the Committee of Ways and
Means report ed a bill to establish depository in
connection with the Treasury, with chiefclerk and
aries as are received by employees of the same
grade in the Treasury Department!
On motion of Mr.. IiANLEY, of Arkansas, it was
provided that no one should be. employed under the
act who is subject tO-military duty.
Mr.. WICKHAM moved to strike out the prOy-
sion eXempting the deposits from taxation, on the
ground that iuducement was already offered by the
guarantee Of the Government tor the safe keeping
of the deposits, and that additional induceIaent
would have the effect of Withdrawing from tue
banks OF the States all deposits.
Mr. LYON hoped that the section would not be
stricken ont. lie was In favor OF relieving the cur
rency of taxation.
Mr. JOHNSTON, of Virginia, doubted tho propri-
ty of the government being banker at all, and
could see no good reasons why, with a proper cur
rency should retain all the essential features OF
the Sub-treasury system, which Is only useful with
metahc basis. lie thought the government would
have pursued wise policy in the beginning, ii it
had deposited with the State banks. In this way it
would have so organized and Iuilt up these insiti-
tons that it. must thereby have reaped immense adj
yautages.
The amendment of Mr. W4cKBAM Vas Adopted
The bill, as amended, then passed.
MIR LYON gave notice that, ON Tuesday, he would
call up thSTax bill.
Mr. BARKSDALE, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported bill explanatory OF the word
family" in the fifth section of the act to amend the
tax law approved Jnne 4th, 1864, SO as TO Ihake it
include all the white and colored members Of any
household of plantation.
MIR WICKHAM moved that on the next payment
of taxes, taxpayersshall be credited with the
theTI paid during the present year. Adopted
The bill, as amended, then passed.
MILITARY MATTERS.
Mr. MILES, from the Committee on Military AT
fairs reported back bill TO provide for the pay
ment' OF provost marshais and military Clerks
Passed
Also bill TO increase the compensation of the
Surgeon General, as to.give him the pay and al
lowances Of colonel of cavalry. Passed.
The morning hour having expired, the House re-
sumed the consideration the
ExEarrlos BILL
The clause relating TO the exemption OF ministers
of the gospel being taken up it was amended aud
adopted. 1t reads as follows 60 Every minister OF
religion in the regular discharge of his mpisterial
duties, who on tho 9TH day of February, 1864 was
authorized to preach according to the rules Of the
denomination to which he belongs
. Pending the discussion of the above clause,
Mr. } II SMITH, of Ga, moved to lay the bill and
amendments on the table,.
Mr. MILES was opposed to holding up ministers
Of religion to odum as spectators because some Of
them had been obliged to engage in some business to
support themselves, AND frequently widows and