The
Senate met at 12 o'clock M. yesterday. Prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Jemison, of Ala, introduced a bill to facilitate the settlement of the claims of deceased soldiers.
Referred.
Mr. Watson, of
Ala., submitted a resolution instructing the Military Committee to inquire into the expediency of so amending the conscript act, as to exempt from military service necessary officers of steamboat captains, engaged in transportation for the
Government.
Agreed to.
House Joint resolution, responsive to the resolutions of the General Assembly of
Virginia, "asserting the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the
State of Virginia over her ancient boundaries," was considered and passed.
House amendment of Senate bill, to amend the several acts in regard to Chaplains was concurred in, and the bill passed.
Senate bill to amend the act to establish an Invalid corps, was reported back, from the Military Committee.
Laid on the table.
Joint resolution to rescind the joint resolution fixing the day of adjournment, was taken up and postponed.
On motion of
Mr. Burnett, of
Ky., the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.--Prayer by the
Rev Dr Jeter, of the Baptist Church.
Various memorials were presented and referred.
The following resolutions of inquiry were introduced and referred to the appropriate committees:
By
Mr Lester, of Ga — Of so amending the act of April 2, 1863, as to require the discharge of a soldier or the acceptance of the resignation of an officer, who may have been or may be elected by the people to the office of receiver of tax returns.
By
Mr. W. E. Smith of Ga.--Of making certain amendments to the military laws.
By
Mr. Moore, of Ky — Of reporting a bill providing such measures of retaliation as will effectually prevent the outrages perpetrated upon defenceless inhabitants by raiding parties of the enemy.
By
Mr Perkins, of La — Of effecting an arrangement by which prisoners of war on each side can be attended by surgeons of their own army during captivity.
By
Mr. Bargadale, of
Miss — Of passing a law for the relief of postmasters whose business has been increased by the presence of large military forces.
By
Mr. Witherspoon, of
S. C.--Of permitting persons who have failed to make a support of provisions during the past year to retain their tax in kind upon the payment of the prices fixed by the
Commissioners under the impressment act.
By
Mr. Ayer, of
S. C.--Of levying an export duty on cotton, tobacco, and naval stores, for the payment of the interest and principal of the six per cent, bonds.
By
Mr. Miles, of
S. C.--Of allowing by law to seamen and marines some increase of the privileges now enjoyed by them in the purchase of clothing and "small stores."
The following bills were introduced and referred.
By
Mr. J. M. Smith, of Ga.--A bill to encourage the production of provisions and to allow compensation for tithes in certain cases.
By
Mr. Fuller, of
N. C.--A bill to provide for transfers from local and special service to the armies in the field.
Also, a bill to organize a company of siege artillery from the 36th regiment of
North Carolina troops.
By
Mr. Gilmer, of
N. C.--A bill in relation to four per cent bonds held by the disbursing officer of common schools in
North Carolina.
By
Mr. Atkins, of
Tenn.--A bill to authorize Confederate District Judges to hold their Courts out of their districts in certain cases.
By
Mr. McCullom, of Tenn — A bill amending the impressment laws.
Also, a bill to increase the pay of commissioned, non commissioned officers, and privates.
By
Mr. Murray, of
Tenn.--A bill to amend the act to reduce the currency.
Mr. Dupre, of La, offered a joint resolution of thanks to
Major General Richard Taylor, and the officers and man of his command, which was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Smith, of
N. C., offered a resolution instructing the Military Committee to report a bill legalizing the organization of
Mallett's battalion of
North Carolina troops, which, on motion, was referred to that committee.
Mr. J. T. Leach, of
North Carolina, introduced a series of joint resolutions declaring the supremacy of civil over military law, which were referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Foote, of Tenn, introduced a resolution instructing the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into the expediency of adopting a preamble and resolutions declaring, in substance, that the present incumbent of the Treasury Department should no longer be retained in said Department, but that some other individual of proper ability as a financier, more likely to be successful in administering the affairs of said Department, and more likely to command the public confidence, should be appointed in his place.
Mr. Barksdale, of
Miss, moved to lay the resolution upon the table.
Mr. Foote demanded the ayes and noes, and the
House refused to lay on the table — ayes 87, noes 45.
Mr. Swan, of Tenn, offered an amendment, declaring that it is the prerogative of the
President, by and with the consent of the Senate, to make such appointments as he shall see proper in the several Departments.
The resolutions were postponed and ordered to be printed.
The
House, in Committee of the Whole, (
Mr. Sexton in the chair,) resumed the consideration of the bill to amend the tax laws, and continued the debate until 3 o'clock, at which hour the
House took a recess until 8 P. M.
