Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-10

dsys 70 as.ssf ttsiv ssaahas thus disorimIasEs hss
tSees o!nces aud men, Inakss sh OF one and hssh OF
This BILL sir Is not sufficiently cocrcve upon the officers
to meet with my appreciation you will hayea reorgan.
ocefs and not giving to the officer sixty days To
select his command whilst you dispose Of with Indecent
haste the prvaes. With the Chairman Of the Committee
on Military Afas, he desed Ia ill up the army and let
escape but require OF all that they shall do ther
lie would cast his vote first to send the bill back 10 the
Committee on Military Affas. with the view ia the
time TO consult the army TO the best mode OF dposng
OF this grave and delicate question: Our fathers thought
it wise and advisable during the Revolution to consult
tie army before the passage OF similar bills aud il will in
no manner compromit our independence or pride 70 im
tate their example III This respect IT, however the House
should refuse to send 1t back to the committee he would
vote against the bill.
The motion to reconsider prevailed by the following
vote Ayes ~, noes 81 The amendment then passed.
| Mt' MONTAGUE called the previous question which
being sustained the bill engrossed aud read third
| time and, coming up upon is passage,
Mr. MARSHALL addressed the House in opposition TO
the bill. lie took the position that for want OF compu
sorry feature the practical effort would be of uniform
action and therefore 10 stimulate discomfort The nyes
turc of the General with power TO choose his Off
and to raise or degrade at his pleasure. is
| safe and impolitc. No nation willingly conhded
such power to the head OF army General Washington
never invested with such authority Gestiemen
stanty express unb0unded confidence that General Lee
will act fairly and with Judgment but he (r. M de-
sired to remind them there but Lee, aud great
many other men in whom the bill eposed this delicate and
extensive power The bill presupposed that the General
knew his line officers down TO the grade OF Lieutenant
whereas such never il the fact The bill refers 10 the
General the popriey OF having board Of examination
lie may dispense with it, If he chooses to do 20. The
worst Generathose OF the highest mejudices and worst
passons-wil most desire to give unbdled license TO
their Own will and TO call around them the bndest fol
lowers of their fortunes Qualification should be the inst
requisite Tor ctheea board should ascertain this yet
should do under responsibility 10 those under them and
above them Then proceedings should be referred TO the
General and should bo revised by him and forwarded TO
the AdJutant Generals office with ms remarks There
will lp ri Of eVI-
dence on the same p0ntsthe reports OF lhspectoTsto
which the President access lie j. the constitutional
appointing power and his should be the responsibility
The bill an efecwestS nom hmhis constitutional function
10 transfer II to Lee Beanegard Bragg Hood and Haidee
and whatsoever else has charge OF military Department
OF amy III the field In his Ar NJ 81 opinion, have
right by law TO abidge. the constitutional power OF the
President The Constitution says the President shall APP
point MI officers the Confederate States whose appoint
mens not otherwise provided for IN the Constitution
Clearly this bill vests IN the General OF army the power
OF appointment Tor II gives hp the authority TO select
whom he peases-to reduce the old incumbent NJ once to
TO which, by the Genefas WILL he may then be raised.
True you save form by saying the President may alter
watds nominate the officer to the Senate but clearly,
this only gives the President the power OF review Gather
than the une0nn9ed power Of appointment,
| Mr. MARSHALL thought the time was unproptous
for tie work vi consolidation reorganization for many
he proceeded to adduce and closed bis remarks
with an earnest EXPLORATION 10 the House TO recommit
the bill or If that could not be done then to kill II the
principle better TO bear the Ills have than y to Others
that We know not OF"
Br BAYLOR, of Texas had recently Visited the Army
of Northern Virginia and foaDd among The troops OF his
own State universal desire that Congress should stop
wTanglg and act upon the bill. As far d they
cerned they would greatly prefer that the whole matter
should be left with General Lee and he thought the idea
| good one.
The bill passed by the following Ayes 49,
81.
On motion of Mr.. Hill TON, of Fla the vote by which
the bill was passed was reconsideredayes 49, noes &c.
| Mr.. McMu LIEN moved TO adjourn
| vi. MILES called the ayes and noes,
Ihe motion was lost By the following vote Ayes &c,
noes A.
Ar MILES moved call Of the House in order 10 get
| full vote on the bill
| Mr.. McNULLEN called for the ayes and noes
The House refused to sustain the call by vote Of Sc
| ayes 10 81 noes
| Mr.. McMULLEN moved that when the House adjourn
| 1t adjourn to meet at IL o'clock tomorrow.
/ Mr.. AIKEN moved to lay the motion on the table
/ was adopted.