House of Representatives.
Hon. John V. Wright appeared and took the oath of office.
A message was received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate had disagreed to the 1st, 2d, and 3d amendments of the House to the Senate bill regulating the pay of members of Congress, and that the Senate concurred in the 4th and 5th amendments of the House.
Mr. Bonham moved for a suspension of the rule for the call of the States, with a view to take up the bill as it came from the Senate; and also moved that the House recede from its amendment, striking out $3,000 in the Senate bill, and inserting $2,500 in lieu thereof. He thought it would be graceful in the House at once to concur with the Senate. He was sure if this Congress adopted vigorous measures for the prosecution of the war, the people would not complain that the Senate bill allowed too much pay. He hoped the bill would be at once acted upon, and called the question upon his motion. The call being sustained.
Mr. Curry, of Ala., demanded a vote by yeas and nays, which resulted — yeas 32, nays 30.
Mr. Jones, of Tenn., moved that the House adhere to its amendment, and on that motion called the question. Motion not agreed to.
Mr. Davis, of Miss., moved that the bill and its amendments be laid upon the table. Motion lost.
Mr. Chilton, of Ala., moved that the House insist upon its amendments. Agreed to, and the House insists upon its amendments to the Senate bill.
A communication was received from the President communicating the report of Major General George B. Crittenden of the battle of Fishing Creek.
Also, communication submitting the report of Maj. Gen. Bragg, of the bombardment of Pensacola.
Mr. Pugh, of Ala., moved that the latter report be printed, but before the vote was taken on the motion it was withdrawn.
The States were then called alphabetically for memorials, resolutions, &c.
Mr. Royston, of Arkansas, introduced a bill entitled an act fixing the salaries of certain officers therein named. Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Also, a resolution fixing the hours of meeting of the House at nine o'clock instead of twelve, as at pre sent, and the hour of adjournment at four o'clock. Motion not agreed to.
Mr. Holt, of Geo., submitted a design of Flag and Seal, which was referred to the Committee on Flag and Seal.
Mr. Clapp presented a memorial on the subject of a Sunday mail. Referred to the Committee on Post-Office and Post-Roads.
Mr. Barksdale submitted a memorial in reference to a mail route, which was referred to the same committee.
Mr. Harris, of Mo., introduced the following resolution, which was a greed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by pension of other wise for the relief of discharged sick and disabled soldiers, and for the relief of the families of soldiers and officers who may be killed in battle, or die of wounds received, or disease contracted, whilst in the military service of the Confederate States.
Mr. Foote, from the special committee to investigate the Fort Donelson affair, submitted a report from that committee, and offered a substitute to the resolution of Mr Davis, of Miss, tendering the thanks of Congress to the officers and men who had so gallantly fought at Fort Donelson.
Mr. Crocket, of Ky., moved that the resolution be indefinitely postponed. He had a personal interest in the matter, having had a son captured at Fort Donelson, and he was unwilling to tender thanks to the officers who commanded there, until there had been an investigation of the affair, as has been ordered by the House. He hoped she resolution would be postponed until the committee brought in its report.
Mr. Smith, of Ala., thought a resolution of thanks ought never to be attended with doubt. He hoped the motion of the gentleman from Kentucky would prevail.
Mr. Wilcox, of Texas, said if he could have his way he would cheerfully tender a vote of thanks to all the officers and men engaged in the defence of Fort Donelson. He regarded that as one of the most heroic struggles that had or would take place during the continuance of the war. He had the utmost confidence in Gen. Buckner, and if he had not been taken prisoner, he believed he would have been one of the Napoleons of our Sicily in this war. He had the same confidence in Gideon Pillow and John B. Floyd that he had in Simon Buckner. He would vote for the resolution of thanks, and would make it five hundred percent stronger.
After considerable discussion, participated in by Messrs. Foots, Wilcox and others.
Mr. Pugh of Ala., moved that the resolution be laid upon the table, and the motion was agreed to.
Mr. Swann introduced a resolution for the preparation of geographical and topographical maps. Referred to Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Gray, of Texas, offered a resolution to instruct the Committee on Claims to inquire into the expediency of the government assuming control of all railroads and their rolling stock during the war. Agreed to.
Mr. Sexton, of Texas, introduced the following resolution, which was agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed, in case they should find it necessary to report any future bill providing for levying a tax, to inquire into the expediency of prohibiting altogether the taxation of credits, or, in case they should deem this inexpedient, of providing that all holders of promissory notes or evidences of debt, bearing interest, may be authorized, in rendering a list of such notes or evidences of debt for taxation, to deduct therefrom the amount of their in debtedness as principal debtors upon similar notes or evidences of debt, so that they shall be required to pay taxes only upon the excess of their assets above their liabilities. Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Mr. Baldwin, of Virginia, submitted a resolution that the Committee on Claims he instructed to inquire into the propriety of authorizing the War Department to pay for losses incurred by the destruction of property by military occupation. Referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Pugh from the Military Committee, reported back the bill to encourage the manufacture of saltpetre and small arms, with a recommendation that it pass. Read a third time and passed.
Mr. Kennas, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported a bill for providing further means for public defence and for the support of the Government. This bill was made the order of the day for Saturday.
Mr.Gartrell, of Geo., from the Judiciary Committee, called up the special order of the day, viz: A bill to be entitled an Act to carry into effect the latter clause of the 6th section of the 2d Article of the Constitution, so as to allow the Cabinet ministers seats upon the floor, with the privilege of engaging in the debates pertaining to the business of their several departments.
The bill was advocated by Messrs. Garnett, Foote, and Baldwin, and opposed by Messrs. Davis, Kenner, and Chambers.
Pending the consideration of the bill, the House went into secret session.
