Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-13
Confederate States Congress-
SECOND CONGRESS SECOND SESSION. !.

Confederate States Congress,
SECOND CONGRESS SECOND SESSION. ; /
SENATE :. =;
THURSDAY, January l2, 1866.
The Senate met at IL M.-the Vice President in the
hair - :
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Norwood, of the Episcopal
9hurch ~ III.
Mr. HILL, of Ca, submitted resolution, which was
doped nstuotng the Committee on Finance 10 inquire
What legislation may be necessary for the iet Ot{ax-
AYERS residing IN districts occupied or ovetunby the
nemy; and alN what legislation may be expedept tor
he relief OF agrcuurSts who have been unable tOcoul
lis with their bonds required by the act OF FebTuPry ~,
64 by OF the depredatons OF the enemy ot by
sason Of the subsequent eXacton OF military service hS
tate or Confederate authority since the execution Of the
onds.
Mr. SPARROW, from the Committee on Military Affairs,
rpored back bill TO allow missionaries in the army IA
and in certain cases forage for one horse TO post
haplains.
The bill was amended and prs.
Mr. SPARROW from the same committee reported
4rk with an amendment, House bill provide clothing
the commissioned officers OF the army navy and ma
tne corps.
lhe amendment reported from the commit provides
hat nothing in the bill shall be construed 10 nerfee With
he supply Of clothing 10 the non-commissoned officers
nd pryates and that officers in the field shall in all
asses have the preference Of post officers. -
ON motion of Mr.. JOHNSON of Missouri the bill was
urther amended by striking out the proyisO cutting of
irmasies COmmSsares and then assistants engaged
te collection Of the tax IN kind, from the DEMENT'S OF
he bill
Tie bill as amended was passed
bin regulate the destruction of property I'M
sr military necessity amended by the Military Com
utee was considered aud passed-yeas To- nays 4, The
GLOWING is the oil as amended
bill % modify and amend san act 10 regulate the des-
rucon Of property under military necessity and TO pr
tide for the Indemnity thereof approved March 1867
The Congress al the Confederate States OF Amerl-
do enact That hereafter whenever cotton or tobacco
r mary-or naval stores or other property ofeny kind
whatever which may aid the enemy in the prosecution OF
he war may be in exposed position where II would be
abe 10 seizure and removal BY the enemy the general
,Cer commanding the department or the district where
he said cotton tobacco military or naval stores or other
property NAV be vuated ey order the owners heeoft
move the place Of safety 70 be designated by
aim II such removal in the Judgment OF such general COM
handing should be necessary 10 prevent the said property
rom failing the hands Of the enemy and if the pro
rty il moi removed "a directed within limited time by
he owners thereof then shall be lawful for the said
eneBl officer 70 have tie same removed AZ the expense
II the under general regulations to be prescribed
H the Secretary Of ar OF TO destroy tie same, as now
On motion Of Mr. GARLAND, the Senate resolved into
secret legislative session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met at IL o'cloek-the SPEAKER in the
chair Prayer by the Rev. DR.. Duncan, Of the Broad
Street Methodist Church.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIONS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House Joint rcso-
lutiOus of the Senate appointing three Commission
ers on the part OF the Senate and - on the part
Of the House, 70 investigate the treatment Of our
prisoners Of war, and inquire why they are not ex
changed.
On motion of Mr.. MCMULLEN, the blank was filed
with hye. The resolutions were then adopted,
Also, Senate joint resolutions requesting the
President 10 appoint the 221 or February as day Of
fasting, humiliation and prayer, with Thanksgiving
The resolutions were concurred in.
TRAFFIC IN SPECIE.
Under suspension Of the rules, Mr.. CHRISTIAN,
Of - ofTered "A resolution inStrucfiuU the Commif
zee OF Ways and Means 70 inquire into the eXpedi-
ency Of reporting bill prohibiting the traffic in spe,
Gle. Adopted.
PAY OF POsTNAsTrRs, RoTTE AGENTS ETC.
:Mr SEXTON, from the Committee on Post offices
and Post Roads, reported bill increasing the pay Of
postmasters, special mail agents and route agents.
IL gives the p0stmasters the same per centage which
they received under the old Government. Passed.
FROM THE MILITARY COMMITTEE.
Mr.. MARSHALL of Kentucky, from the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, reported back Senate
bill authorizing the commanding generals Of local
defence troops to organize general courts-martal
and to revise the proceedings of the same. The
t,ll as amended 0y the House Committee. passed.
Mr. MARSHALL also reported bill and resolu-
tio1fon the same subject and asked that they be
laid on the table. Agreed 20
Mr.. WICKHAM, of Va, reported back from the
same committee Senate b3ll authorizing the Presi-
lnt 10 sppont three commissioner for thp exchange
OF prisouers-one with the rank of colonel and the
other two with the rank Of lieutenant colonel of cav
0lry. Passed.
\ Az ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT CLERK " THE HOUSE.
J Mr.. LESTER, of Ca, from the Committee on the
Rules and officers Of the House, reported hack a
resolution that the Clerk be allowed TO employ an
Additional assistant, with the ssbe pay his pres
ent assistants provided however that no one shall
be appointed who is liable TO military duty. Passed.
FROM THE Committee on FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The morning hour having expired, the rules were
suspended when
+ Mr. RIVES, from the Committee on Foreign Re
ations reported back sundry resolutions relative to
negotiations concerning peace with the fecommen-
dation that they be laid upon the table; Which was
done.
Mr. ORR, of Miss, from the same committee, had
a report to make which ought to be considered in
cret session He therefore moved that the House
resolve tselfinto secret session. which was agreed
10 By the following vote = Ayes %, noes "a.
The House having resolved itself into open session.
sumed the consideration OF the Exemption Bill
Tie House reconsideFed the vote by which Nh. GILL
rows amendment substitute for the second section
was rejected, and il was adopted,
The amendment is as follows.
H. The Eice President Of the Confederate states the
members and officers OF Congress the judges Of THE Judi
cal courts of the Confederate States and such other Con-
ederate officers the President mag declare TO be ne
eessary for the proper administration Of the Government
Of t Confederate States also, &ofaesrs Of the respsc'