House of Representatives.
Saturday, March 29, 1862.
The House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Petbekis. Journal of yesterday read.
The Speaker announced the members of the committee of conference with the Senate on the disagreement between the two Houses on the pay of the mileage of members of the Provisional Congress.
The committee on the part of the House--Messrs. Curry of Ala., Chambers of Miss, and Hoit of Geo.
The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of War, in response to the resolution requesting reports of the several Colonels engaged in the battle of Leesburg.
Read and laid on the table.
A message was also received from the Secretary of the Treasury, submitting a report with reference to the payment of the war tax, asking instructions from Congress; which was read at length.
Mr. Kerner of La., moved that the communication, with documents accompanying it, be referred to the committee of Ways and Means, and it was so referred.
Messrs. Curry and Pugh each submitted accounts which were referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Chilton, of Ala., submitted a joint resolution recommending the appointment of a joint committee of the two houses to consider and report what legislation is necessary to carry out the system of conscription recommended in the recent message of the President.
Mr. Russell, of Va., moved as a substitute for the resolution that the message of the President be referred to a select committee of one from each State.
Mr. Davis, of Miss, offered as a substitute for the resolution or Mr. Chilton, a resolution for the discharge of the present Military Committee, and authorizing the Speaker to appoint a new committee.
The Chair decided the resolution not in order.
The question recurring upon the resolution of Mr. Chilton.
Mr. Hamser, of Ark., moved to amend by striking out the word "fire" and inserting "thirteen," and the monon was agreed to The resolution as amended was then passed.
Mr. Garlard, of Ark, moved to take up a resolution offered by him some days age, to increase the Military Committee from nine to thirteen members.
The resolution was taken up and agreed to.
Mr. Davis, of Miss., asked to be excused from further service on the Military Committee.
By a vote of the House he was excused.
Mr. Kenner, of La., introduced a bill entailed to enable the States assuming the war tax to pay the same into the Treasury.
The bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
On motion, the House went into secret session. 