Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Wednesday, November 9, 1864.The Senate met at 12 o'clock M. Prayer by the Rev. T. V. Moore, of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Garland, of Arkansas, presented a joint resolution of his State relative to the sale or barter, under certain restrictions, by exempted farmers, of so much of their produce as necessary to purchase salt, iron, etc., for their farms or plantations. Referred to the Military Committee and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Garland also introduced a bill fixing the salaries of certain civil officers in the Trans- Mississippi Department. Referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Hill, of Georgia, offered the following, which, after some remarks by different members, was agreed to:
"Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire and report what additional legislation, if any, may be needed to secure prompt payment of dues to the army."
The following, by Mr. Hill, was agreed to:
"Resolved, That the Finance Committee inquire into the expediency of providing, by law, for the receipt, in payment of taxes and other public dues, of certificates and stated accounts, given by the authorized agents of the Government for property and supplies impressed or purchased for the use of the army and Government."
Mr. Sparrow, of Louisiana, offered the following, which was agreed to:
"Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate to the Senate,
- "1st. The number of persons exempted from military service on the several railroads within the Confederacy, designating the number so exempted on each road, and the number of miles of each road 'in actual use for military transportation' and further, if the presidents or superintendents of said roads have made monthly returns in regard to exemptions thereon, as required by law, and if any have failed to do so, the names of such officers and the roads to which they belong.
- "2d. The number, and their names, of all persons exempted in cases where railroads have fallen into the hands of the on my and a portion of the rolling stock of such roads is being used on other road.
- "3d. The number of persons, if any, which have been detailed for duty to assist in repairing or running any roads, or in repairing or taking care of the rolling stock on, or belonging to, any of said railroads.
- "4th. The number of persons exempted or detailed for express or telegraph companies, designating the number to each.
- "5th. The number of persons exempted from military service under the provisions of the act, approved April 11, 1863, entitled 'an act to exempt contractors for carrying the mails of the Confederate States and the drivers of post-coaches and hacks from military service.'
- "6th. The number of persons exempted or detailed for agricultural purposes who have given bonds to furnish supplies, as provided by law."
"Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to inquire and report if any, and what, additional legislation is necessary to secure the owner or hirer a credit upon the amount of their taxes equal to the tithe produced by the hirer or owner, provided such discount does not exceed five per cent."
The following, by Mr. Henry, of Tennessee, was agreed to:
"Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing that clause of the 'act to organize forces to serve during the war,' approved 17th of April, 1864, which exempts from military service one person as overseer or agriculturist on each farm or plantation upon which there are now, or were on the 1st of January last, fifteen able-bodied field hands between the ages of sixteen and fifty; and also the whole of the second section of said act, which provides that the President be authorized to grant details when, in his judgment, justice, equity and necessity require such details."
On motion of Mr. Sparrow, the Report of the Secretary of War was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Henry offered the following, which was agreed to:
"Resolved, That it is sound policy, on the part of the Confederate States, to impress or hire, with the consent of their owners, as many negro slaves as the public necessity may requite for any number of years, or during the war, to be employed in all positions in the army except as soldiers in the field upon paying the owners thereof a just compensation; and that it has the constitutional power to do so."
On motion of Mr. Hill, the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.
The House was opened at 12 o'clock with prayer by Rev. Dr. Duncan, of the Methodist Episcopal church.The Chair laid before the House a communication from Hon. Augustus H. Garland, of Arkansas, tendering a resignation of his seat in the House of Representatives, he having been elected to the Confederate Senate. Laid on the table.
Mr. Baldwin, of Virginia, introduced a resolution of inquiry as to what had been done under the resolutions of last session in regard to reporting the debates of the House of Representatives. Adopted.
Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, introduced a fall to establish a general army intelligence office. Referred.
Mr. Swan, of Tennessee, introduced a resolution to authorize the payment to his wife, Mrs. Sarah Heiskell, the pay of Hon. Joseph E. Heiskell, while he may be held as a prisoner by the public enemy. Referred.
Mr. Swan also introduced a resolution instructing the Military Committee to inquire into the expediency of providing, by law, for the removal from danger of all able-bodied adult male negroes as the territory may be occupied by the public enemy.--Adopted.
Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, offered the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the recommendation contained in the President's message to Congress which vests in the military authorities the power to detail such editors and other needful employees of newspapers as they may consider proper for the conduct of said papers, and put all others in the military service, is one which this House can by no means approve."
Mr. Foote had hoped that some Virginia gentleman would have made the first move in this matter, but it had not been done, and he felt bound to say something on the subject.
George Wythe had said, in the Virginia Convention, more than half a century ago, that met for the consideration of the Federal Constitution, "that the freedom of the press was one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and should not be violated."
Mr. Foote denounced the proposition to detail editors as tyrannical, and an attempt to muzzle the press. Abraham Lincoln would not have dared to send in such a proposition to the Federal Congress. As for himself (Mr. Foote), he would never give his consent to any such measure as to put the press under the power of the President.
Mr. Marshall, of Kentucky, endeavored to modify the resolution so as to declare that the present limit allowed to exemptions of members of the press is sufficiently narrow, and ought not to be altered; but Mr. Barksdale, of Mississippi, refused to permit the matter to be further discussed, and it was referred to the Military Committee.
Adjourned.
