North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-12-07

lie
tally modify it. and should any non-slavehoding State
by Legislative enactment Otherwise render its pro-
visions imperative, that it shall be the duty of the
Governor to convene the Legislature to take such
steps in the premises, as in their wisdom may be
deemed best for the defence of North Carolina, the
security of her property, and the maintenance of her
rights as a sovereign State.
The Speaker laid before the House the report of
the President and Directors of the Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb; referred the joint select commit
lee on that institution.
message was received from the Senate ANNOUNCE
ing the Senate Branch of the committee enrolled
bills. The Speaker announced the House branch OF
same committee to consist of Messrs. Rufin, Cher
ry, Waugh, and Scott. IS
CONVENTION QUESTION.
Mr. Flemning, bill to submit to the people at tine
next August election the question of Convention
or no Convention" to amend the Consultation, which
was read the first time.
Mr. Mclean moved the reference Of the bill to the
committee on amendments to the Constitution.
Mr.. Flemming did not wish this Dill to go TO tnat
committee. He might be willing to have it sent to
select committee raised for that purpose but he pre-
ferred to have it considered without the Intervention
! of committee.
Mr. Stevenson only desired that all these matters
should be referred to the committee. He was MEM
Der of it, and it was best that they should have every
thing connected with this subject of amending the
Constitution before them, and then they could report
what amendments, in their opinion, ought to be adopt
ed. The report of committee was only an express
sion of opinion and the 0use could adopt or not,
as it saw proper. He hoped that every amendment
proposed would be referred to the committee.
Mr.. Femmng was utterly opposed to Its reference
to the committee. The bill he had introduced mere
ly proposed submit isolated question to the peo-
| Pile. He did not consider this question as coming
properly under the jurisdiction of the committee 1t
was appointed to consider amendments only. The
bill proposed amendments but only to leave 1t 10
the people whether or not they will call Convention.
Mr.. Mclean could not conceive why all matters
relating amending the Constitution should not be
Al rhf
ton of this kind should be sent to it. There seemed
to be a suspicion resting on the committee rear
that the bill would not receive due consideration He
thought it entirely unfounded.
! Mr. Ayery understood the committee to have been
raised to consider this whole question: and to consid-
er in W hat way the Constitution should be amended
He thought it proper and parliamentary to refer all
these matters He did not fear the action OF the
committee, and it nothing more than common
courtesy to send everything this subject 10 it. 1t
was extraordinary that this bill should lie on the table,
while every other amendment was referred to the
committee. He should vote for the reference OF this
bill to that committee, and to send everything con-
nected with the question in the same direction.
Mr.. Foster of Davidson, said he was member OF
the committee, and he wished the House to consider
that it composed Of very old and reverend gen.
tlemen He thou ght it in bad taste for the COM
mtee to insist upon the reference of this bill to
them, when the mover of it did not desire such
disposition to be made of it, and should vote against
the reference. He wanted nothing &c do with bill
committee. If referred, the committee will make
such report upon it they think it their duty to
do. He wanted mans bill to be sent to that COM
mittee against his own wishes.
Mr.. Ruffin should for the reference as matter
of duty to the House. He considered this bill ger
main to the subject under the consideration of the
committee, and therefore it ought to be submitted to
their consideration. The insinuations thrown out
against the committee from various parts OF this Hall,
he disposed to submit to quietly. 1t seemed
if the action Of the committee looked to with
suspicion. He could see good reason for 1t. 1t
was his duty member of that body to vote for the
reference.
Mr.. Flemming said, however unusual his course
might appear, it was not more so than for commit
tee claim the consideration of his bill. 1t was adj
mitted that it was composed of young and inexper-
enced men, and that good reason why It should
be referred to them. He insisted that the COM
mittee had power to consider the subject its ac-
ton confined to the consideration of amendments.
He unwilling submit to the action of the COM
mittee. Their decision would be debating to the
people of North Carolina, and he held that commit
of this Honse had right to dictate to the people,
MIR. Mclean wanted to know where the gentleman
from Yancey got his information from, with respect
to the action of the committee. No report had yet
been made, and no one could know what opinion
they entertained. He asked that this committee
should be treated with the consideration other
committees of this House. He could not conceive
why reflections should be upon this committee;
there not the slightest reason for It. Ii this bill
not referred to them, he should ask the House
to discharge the committee from any further consld-
Grafton of the matter which they instructed to
consider.
Mr.. Jones expressed his entire confidence in the
committee it was precisely the kind of committee
TO which this question ought to have been referred
They were not committed either way, and were free
to form correct and unprejudiced opinions. They
were the very gentlemen of all others that should
have been selected for this purpose, and this bill,
and every matter connected with the subject should
be referred to them for consideration. At the be-
ginning of the session, it usual stake out the
committee for consideration, and another subject
to another committee If this rule is departed from
now, it will produce confusion, and interrupt the reg
ular order of business. When the committee make
a report, the whole subject will come up again.
Let them make report, and then the House can
take up this subject if it chooses.
Mr.. Blow said he was a member of the committee.
and should against the motion to refer. If the
gentleman from Yancey unwilling totrustth
nittee with the BILL he wanted nothing to do with 1t.
Mr.. Erwin said he should vote against the refer
ence, and desired to give his for doing.
He had some fears with regard to the action of the
they did not exactly agree with him in
his views. He did not wish to have the action Of
the Committee against the bill, but desired direct
mittee a little tinctured with old hunkerism-
and feared they would not propose the amendments
he wished to carried out
Mr.. Stevenson remarked that the friends of this
bill were afraid for the committee amendments
the Constitution to get hold it, yet they protested
be willing TO allow il to go to select committee.
They seemed quite anxious to send it a committee
it. Although this committee had been character
terized as young and inexperienced, the gentleman
on the other side seemed afraid that their report,
which 1t was assumed would be unfavorabe one,