The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-01

lleve6 THAI, alter exceptlng slaves, each person
estate, real and personal, including money, wheih-
er at interest or TO be faxed alike, accOr
4 dlag to value. This would require every person
to contribute in proportion to The value of his or
her estate, and would equaze the public burden
between the various classes upon principles of JUS
tice. i know Of no better rude TO ascertain the
I ability of the owner 10 pay, or the degree of pro-
lection his estate requires from government, than
| by resorting 10 actual value of such estate. This
system need not interfere with taxing certain EN- :
ploy snents and the income OF certain professions,
! as is now done. Such persons as do not possess
persona estate of the value of one hundred and
fifty dollars, ($I50) ought to be exempt from pro.
pery tax, and an exemption Of like amoun,
might be made in favor of all others. Itis be-
| 1ieyed thai system of revenue based on these
| principles, is demanded by public policy. rel
| In conformity to Act passed at The las, ses
| sion Of The General Assembly, appointed the
Hon. Thomas Ruffin of the Commissioners to
revise and digest the public statute laws oft the State
but he declined TO accept, and the duties of the
commission were completed by Messrs. Moore
and Biggs, who have bestowed upon The subject
much labor and investigation. The result will in
due time be communicated TO the General Assem-.
bly,. This sub Ject will require careful examina-
tion, and must necessarily protract the length oil
the session..
The Charters of two of the principal Banks Of
the State, will soon expire, and il becomes the du-
ty Of The General Assembly, either to recharter
them or 10 establish others to supply the 6cfcien-
cy E the paper circulation, that would result from
closing the business of these Institutions. The
amount Of banking capital, bes, adapted TO the con-
venience and substantial prosperity Of the State,
is difficult question TO determine. Ii is believed,
however, that the amount at present employed, is
not adequate TO the wants OF the public. Banks
or branches, are needed at some points where, at
present, there are none, and at other places where
they already exist increase of capital, and in
some cases, addition 10 the number Of Banks, |
would seem TO be demanded. Undue contractions
and expansions of the amount Of the paper cur
rency ought, as far as possible, 10 be avoided
The circulation of notes Of a less denomination
than three or five dollars, should be prohibited |
and wholesome restrictions imposed, TO protect |
the public against the evils OF a deprecated cur.
rency.
A well regulated Judiciary system is necessary
to the security of the hts OF persons and of pro-
perty. North Carolina has been pre-. .eminenlly |
blessed in the wholesome administration Of Justice !
in her courts. This has doubles been more the
result of the integrity and wisdom of her Judges,
than of the perfection of the system itself 1t is
believed That the Supreme Court ought TO conss
of four Judges, instead Of three. With the pres.
ent number, when the court is divided, and the
majority for overruIing the decision Of the court
below, counting the Judge who fried the case, the
weight Of authority, far as the number Of Judges
Is concerned, is equal on both sides. Yet in such
cases, the decision below is reversed, and mpor,
tant legal questions finally adiudicated. II the
court consisted OF four Judges, ,hen on an equal
division of the court, the decision below would
stand. To adjudicate the question and reverse
the decision below, would require the concur
renee OF three of the Judges of The Supreme
Court.
1t is believed that public convenience requires
hat two additional Judicial Circuits should be
ormcd, and the corresponding number of Judges
md Solicitors appointed. ~.
The Attorney General is at present required to
perform the duties Of Solicitor Of the third circuit.
lie ought to be relieved of those duties, and So.
lcnor appointed TO perform them. The Attorney r
ieneraI, Tor the time being should reside in Raj t
lgh and in addition 10 attending the Supreme c
iourI, now required, he should attend to the II
BUSINESS of the Public Boards in all the Courts Il
would also suggest that il be made the duty Of Il
hat officer TO suprrinrcnd The enrolment Of all bills
nd resolutions passed by the General Assembly /; h
I'D when requested, to give written opinions 10 y
1e heads of the Departments. d
J. is importan' 20 collect The statistics of Crime E
, This Stale. This might be easily done, by ma
ing 1t the duty of the clerks Of the county and is
nperlor Courts to make annual returns to the Al o
'rney General or Executive, 20 be compiled for S,
le use of the General Assembly. ty
Since the last session of the Legislature, the
on. Thomas Settle, one Of the Judges Of the Su. 20
erior Courts of Law and Equity, has resigned - hi
Eh the consent Of the Council of State the Hon IA
amueI j. Person appointed to fill his place. ei
becomes the duty of the General Assembly 10 Gu
pDly the vacancy. in
The Lunatc Asylum is advancing towards its va
mplefion. This institution vii! soon be open 10 "a
e reception OF patients. The Commissioners de
poInled 10 snperintend The construction of the Or
ldings deserve great credit for the manner in so
lich they have discharged their duties. With
t compensation, they have performed much Ia va
r, and incurred heavy responsibilities Jl.
The establishment Of Scientific and Military hn
hool IS subject Of importance, to which beg
we TO call the attention OF The General Assem-. OF
=. -..- .-.. IT
The training Of the Militia and additional en-. ou
uragement 10 the formation Of Volunteer Com. for
MES, are subjects worthy of consideration fac
The report Of the State Geologis, giving de- lat
led account of the progress Of the work commit ma
70 MS charge, VIII be transmitted al an early mil
V. -" ' s. .-"-" 1 of
1t is but justice 10 state that the Public Treas F
'r, the Secretary of State and Comptroller o! the
bic Accounts. have performed the duties Of fac
respective Offices with ability, industry and inc
slity- .' ~ arc
A Circular from the Secretary OF State of the
tied States, is herewith transmitted am not
pared to endorse the recommendation contain E.