Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-06-04
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Raleigh, Nav 20, 1852.

euse of the ls section of the Sd article of the Con-
sttuon Of the United States requires the vote for
President and Vice President in 1852 to be accord
ing to the Census of 1850. This construction has
been generally acquesced in, and will, presume.
he adopted by all the States Although | have not
been officially informed of the fact yet it is we'll
dersood that North Carolina according to the late
apportionment, will only be entitled to ten Elector
al votes in the next election. The act Of the Gene
raj Assembly of this State at the session OF 1923
divided the State into IL Eec oral districts There
fore the act of Assembly provides for the election of
eleven Electors, while the State 0nder the late ap-
portionment will only be entitled to ten Electoral
votes. The next election for President and Vice
President will take place before the regular period
appointed by law for the meeting of the General As
sembly. 1t is provided by law that " the Governor
may with the advice of the Council of State, call
meeting of the General Assembly. if the same shall
be absolutely necessary at Il sooner day than the
may be adjourned to or appointed to meet"
submit to your consideration whether under the cir
cumstances it does not become necessary to
the General Assembly at earlier day than is pro-
vded 10y law for lis regular meeting to have further
legislation to avoid illegality in the election for Pres
iden and Vice President. If your body should adj
wise the Ganeral Assembly to be convened for the
purpose have mentioned, the question then arises
AZ to, tho most appropriate time for the meeting. 1t
occurs me that it should not be called together
till after the next August election.
The Constitution provides that :: the Senate of
this Stte shall consist of fifty representatives, ben-
nially chosen by ballot, and to be elected by dis
trictS which districts shall be laid off by the Gen
erl Assembly. at its first session after the year
thousand eight hundred and forty-one ; and after
wards its first session after the year thousand
eight hundred and fftv-one,' 1t is also provided
that the apportionmcnt CT the members ofthe House
of Commons " shall be made by the General Assem-
bly,, at the respective times and periods when the
districts for the Senate are hercR before directed tC
be laid off" If the General Assembly should b.
called together before the regular period it would o
course be session. and the first after the year one
thousand eight hundred and ffty-one, The Ian
Cuage of the Constitution is not the first ular
biennial session. but '+dt ats first session.. 1t would
therefore. that if the Legisaturei is convened
the Constitution requires the Senatorial districts t
be laid off and the members of the House of Com
mons to be apportioned. fit is convened before tn
next August electan it will be composed of mem
bers chosen in 1850. who, presume, were'not elect
ed with a view to laying off the Senatorial district
and apportioning the members of the House of Com
mons. | therefore submit whether regard fer pub
lie interest and respect for public opinion, do no
require that the time for converting the General As
senlby should be postponed till the first Monday il
October next. The Legislature then called togethe
would be fresh from the people. and fully prepares
to reflect their will these and all others.
The next session of the General Assembly will IL
oil probability be of more than ordinary length
Laying OFF the Congressional and Senatorial districts
apnortioning the members of the House of Commons
and acting upon the Report of the Commissioner
appointed to- revise the Statutes added to the ord
nary business of legislation, WIN protract the SEES
sion. The people might so on andin their primar
meetings nominate their candidates for Electors an
the General Assembly when convened, might pas
the necessary act in time for the Presidential cleo
ton. The Legislature could then proceed to la
off the Senatorial districts and apportlon the mem
hers of the House of Commons repeal, for the Sc:
sion the act fixing the time for the meeting OF tn
General Assembly, and then act upon the Report