The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1854-12-13
legislature Of slortb Carolina.



Friday. December "a.
In the Senate, Mr.. Graham introdu-
ced a bill concerning invention 20
amend the constitution Of the State.
TThe bill provides for an election to
ascertain the will Of the yotcrs Of the
State, and il majority vote far Con-
yentian, then for an election Of Dele
gates 10 the Convention.
Mr.. Graham mnsriI that II be print
oil and made the order Of the day for
Thursday next.
Mr.. Biggs said he touk ibis, the first
opportunity, To enter his solemn pro-
test against . measure which they had
no power under the constitution to pass.
He said il was the strangest proposi-
ton that I've had ever heard IL did not
propose the Intervention Of the I.cgis-
ture. but was framed upon the prece-
dent that called the Convention Of
1885, when there was no provision in
the constitution for its amendment. He
entered his protest against submitting
the question Of Convention or no Gun.
vention to the peuple, and passing an act
dependent upon the vote Of tie people,
without the concurrence Of vote Of two
thirds of the members of the General
Assembly. lie had supposed that all
propositions Ia submit the question
to the people were only intended to
have mural force in compelling the
Legislature to call convention. There
was no authority to call a convention
in the mode proposed by the bill. A
convention could no, be called except
by a two-thirds vote Of both Houses Of
the General Assembly. tie entered
his protest against il, and thought that
the bill ought not to be printed or trea-
ted in any other manner than to be laid
on the table.
Mr.. Graham said he had no objec-
ton to the Senator entering his protest
against the bill, but he desired to have
a fair opportunity TO express his views
both as to the power Of the Legislature
In calling convention, aud the man-
ner of dining Ii. lie did not suppose
Senators would preju,lgc the bill. There
could be no harm in printing it so that
they could see wha, were its provisions.
Tie did moi desire 10 discuss il at this
time, but he would take an early oppor-
tunity uf,loing so. lie would just say,
that as the Senator from Martin had
quoted the provisinn Of the eonstitu-
ton as to amending it. he onght To
have quoted all the provisions. ltwould
be seen upon examination whether the
bill proposes to violate the constitution,
for the constitution only declares that
it shall nut be amended by fhe I" Legis-
fure," save in the manner pointed out
by the Senator. But whether the peo-
pie can do il by the approximation Of tie
Legislature, was another question. lie
hoped it would be printed and made the
order of the ,lay for Thursday next,
/ The motian to print and make il the
order Of the day for Thursday, was a.
dopted.
I In the Commans, Mr.. Whitfield in
tra,luced bill to compel Attornies at
Law to refund fees, in case Of non-per-
iormanee. 81 duties. Referred to CON-
mittee On Propositions aud Grievances.
Mr.. Green introduced a bill to in-
corporate Bank in Newbern; aud Mr..
ID. F. Caldwell bill TO incorporate
Bank in Salisbury; both of which were
ordered ia. be printed and referred to
the conmitiac On banking.
Saturday, December 2.
In the Senate, Mr.. Bayd, from the
committee aa Propositions and Griev>
ances, reported tavoahty upon the bill
to make compensation to Justices Of
the Peace for taking lists Of taxable
property; and the bill passed its second
reading.
| In the Commons. Mr.. Steele, from
the Committee on the subject. reported
the bill to increase the salaries of State
officers. After sumo debate, the bill
aud report were laid On the table.
Mr.. j. q. .Bynum offered resolu-
ton relating to the Supreme aud Su.
perior Courts. Proposes ten judicial
! Circuits, aud to ahNish the Supreme
Court. The resolution was laid on the
fable and oryrrcd to ke printed.