Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-10-13
A I,EcTsI,ATURE.

III iliSIdubs bGtQOu GoWHAOS3
rem was elected Speaker of the Senate; John
Hill, and G. E B. Singletary, Clerks; James
Page and p. MCGOWAN, DoorkeepeTs.
Mr.. Shaw Cd presented the certificate OF
the Coroner of Currituck, certifying to his
election as Senator for Camden and Currltnck;
and Mr.. Barnard wv acknowledgement
of hs1Sb1-eR NOR Tor the sumo district.
MIR. Hoke presented a resolution declaring
Mr.. Shaw entitled to the seat.
Mr.. Wood6n moved to amend said resolu-
ton, to the effect, that the matter De referred
to a committee, whose duty it should be TO in
vestigate the case and report thereon. After
considerable discussion, in which Mr.. Cald-
well, OF M~ecklenburg, advocated the resolu-
ton OF Dir. HOke, and Messrs. Gilmer and
Woodfin supported the motion of Mr.. w. to
refer, the Senate adjourned until next morning
without arriving at a decision.
In the House of Commons, John Baxter, of
Henderson, was chosen Speaker; Stephen D.
Pool and James r. Dodge, Clerks; William
K. Lowell and WIN Webster, Doorkeepers.
The House then adjourned to next day.
On Tuesday, the Senate continued the dis
cussion on the conte ted seat for Senator from
Camden and Currituck, for several hours, but
adjourned to Wednesday without determining
the question.
In the House no business Of interest was
transacted but the receiving and reading of
the following Message from the Governor:
To THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA /:
The meeting Of the Legislature affords a fit occa-
sion for the expression Of deep-felt gratitude to an
all-wise Providence for the many blessings bestow-
ed upon us as a Republic, as a State, and as a Peo-
pie.
With tho odvioa of A. cau.a;1 ac cto+o = 70,
deemed absolutely necessary to call a meeting of
the General Assembly, at an earlier day than was
provided for the regular meeting thereof, for the
purpose of having legislative action in relation to
the election of Electors of President and Vice Pres
ident of the United States. This necessity arose in
consequence of the action of Congress apportioning
the Members Of the House Of Representative a,
mong the several States, according to the Census OF
1901, by which the State of North Carolina will be
entitled to only ten Electoral votes, while the pres
ent Act of Assembly provides for the election OF
eleven Electors. The communication of the Exec
utive to the Council of State, and the proceedings
Of that body thereon, and the Official Certificate q
the Secretary Of the Interior in relation to the APP
p~ortionment under the Seventh Census, are here
with transmitted.
Laying off the State in districts would impose the
necessity on the people of making new nominations
of candidates for Electors which, for want of sufi.
clent intervening time, would operate very incon-
venlently at the ensuing election. 1t is therefore
~commende that an Act be passed, providing fol
the election, on the Tuesday after the first Monday
IN November next, of ten Electors of President anc
Vice President; that the existing laws prescribing
the qualification of voters, the manner of holding
the election and making returns, as well as the pen
atty imposed forillegal voting, be continued in force
Inc Constitution requires the Senatorial districts
to be laid off by the General Assembly " at its frs
session after the year one thousand eight hundred
and htty-one, and that the apportionment of th,
House Of Commons shall be made bv the Genera
Assembly at the respective periods when the dis
tricts for the Senate ARE directed to be laid off.
In regard to amendments to the Constitution b.
legislative enactment, it is provided in the Consti
tuition, that "IG, after such publication. the alter
alton proposed by the preceding General Assembl,
shall be agreed to, az tie first session thereafter, b.
two-thirds OF the whole representation in eacl
House of the General Assembly, after the sam
shall have been read three times on three severa
days IN each House, then the said General Assem-
bly, shall prescribe a mode by which the amendment
or amendments may be submitted to the qualife
voters OF the House of Commons throughout tn
State" &c.
1t is respectfully submitted whether public cor
venlence will not be promoted by ropealinr. for til
eral Assembly on the third Monday in Novembel
and proceeding to act on the ordinary business
legislation, thereby having but one instead of tw
sessions. Should the General Assembly decide
r adopt this course, when informed Of that fact, m
regular Message will be communicated accordingly
DAVID S. REID.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
RALEIGH, October A, 1852.
On Wednesday the Senate was still consi,
ering the contested election, and the Hous
: having nothing to do till the complete organ
, cation Of the Senate, met and adjourned.
: On Thursday, the Senate resumed the co
i siderdtion Of unfinished business. After sew
raj members had addressed the Senate, Il
, question REQUIRED on the motion to strike o
all after the word ResoIUed in the r~esoluti,
Of Mr.. Hoke declaring H. M Shaw entitled
his seat, and inserting the resolution of N
! Jones, proposing to refer the whole matter
r a Committee OF investigation. And a divisit
= of the question being called for, it was neg
lived, Il to Pa strict party vote.
Mr.. Ellington then moved a substitute t
IS the original Resolution, declaring that it q
= not an1aar that .a;.l--@opaw or Barnard we
IF entitled to a seat; and that the matter be
ferred back, for decision, TO THE PEOPI
OF THE DISTRICT.
> This proposition was negatived by the sar
vote; and the question then recurring upon t
adoption OF the original Resolution OF N
n Hoke, n was adopted by the same vote.
Whereupon, HIM. Shaw, was qualified q
" took his seat and the Senate adjourned.
In the House, on Thursday, Mr.. Dobb
vi itSth ~ NVhil1tSbNN W hllOiu WAS IClctICu
~ much of the Governors message as relates
the election of Electors for President and V
= President Of the United States ut the ne
OF election, reported 4 bill for the purpose, VIII
- passed its first reading ard was ordered TO
eh printed.
49, [Said bill repeats the existing law on
~, subject, and provides for the election of
ef Electors on the I'd of November next
Ter from each Congressional District as now
tie ranged. and one for the State ut large. I
act TO 60 into effect from and after its ratif
ton.
A. "rtvys Vf 1uilforu. presented 2asr
tons to the effect that, after dlsposing OF
special business for which the Legislature
been convened, that the two Houses tax,
) recess from the 18th inst. to the lst Monda.
December, to do the public business and
: ness the Inauguration of the Governor. :
: Resolutions were referred to the Commit
} and the House adjourned.
Friday and Saturday were spent In p
ing Mr.. Dobbin's Bill concerning the E
toral Districts. 1t was adopted. 1t is
4 tied. we believe, to continue on the sess
I by attending to the regular business for
~islation.
ted WILMINGTON, Oct. 3, 185