Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-02-02

public debt; and now we are entering on a new fs-
cal year with the treasury nearly empty, and must
depend on loans to meet the current demands on
the treasury until next fall when the returns from
taxes will again give temporary relief
This Mr.. F. remarked, is all wrong. The sover-z
eign State should not occupy so humiliating posi-
ton and her faith and credit should not be depend
ent on the good will of few banks to loan her
money to pay her interests.
The legislature should step forward at once and
supply ample means not by loans, but by taxation,
to enable the treasurer to meet all current demands
on the treasury when made; and if the committee
on finance had felt called on to provide means to do
so, different bill from the one now before the
House would have been reported. Not conceivng
that to be part of its duties the calculations
based only ON the demands of the treasurer and the
commissioners of the sinking fund.
Then as to the difference between the manner of
raising the required funds as recommended by the
treasurer, and that recommended by the committee,
Mr. Fries remarked that was ubject for the House
to determine The treasurer recommended an add-
ton of three cents 500 value of land and five
cents OH the poll and that ratio finds favor with the
ge.l,.aman from Camden. In reply Mr.. F. could'ony
state he ratio did not suit him his constituents
Land is now taxed in the aggregate for State and
county purposes on an average throughout the
State nearly forty cents the hundred dollars
value, whilst slaves are taxed not quite one dollar
and twenty-one cents. He considered the difference
now too great. One thousand dollars worth of land
to be taxed S4.77, whilst a negro worth the same
should be taxed only S1.21, and then to adopt the
recommendation of the treasurer, we would tax the
same land $l.O3. and the same negro> only Sl.26,
and make the difference still more startling
! Mr.. F. further remarked that no one had higher
regard Cor the purity and sterling integrity Of the
| treasurer than he had, and none admired the zeal
with which he devotes himself to the duties of his
office more than he does, but he must differ with
| him as to the ratio of income of taxation on land
and polls.
Mr.. Smith supported the bill, as he considered the
revenue it raised would not be more than sufficient
| to meet the States annual expenses.
| The motion rejected.
The House continued to dcuss the several clauses
until two o'clock when it adjourned until seven
o'clock, P. NJ.
| NIGHT SESSION.
| bill to extend the time for entering lands in
certain cases was read the rules suspended and it
! passed its second and third readings
The bill to repeal the chapter of Revised Code,
entitled Usury, was read.
| Mr.. Williams spoke strongly against the continu-
of the law against usury on our statnte books.
| 1t was remnant Of barbarsm most unjust and
mschievous in its effects upon society He thought
there was use in keeping it on the statute books
when it was notorious, it was constantly violated
|
denounced the supporters of the measure as open
! ing way for the oppression of POOR men. Mr.. W.
spoke very warmly against the bill before the House.
| Mr.. Dortch offered substitute, drawn up by the
finance committee, which repeals all penalties ex-
cept the excess of interest above six per cent The
substitute accepted
Mr. Williams replied to Mr. Walser, and made
very able and condensed argument in favor of the
repeal of the laws. He pointed out the evils aris-
ing from them in very pointed and effective argu-
| ment.
Mr. Fries followed in support of the bil and read
statement of the laws of various States on the
subject of usury, and described the injury done the
State by drawing out the money to where higher
interest was given
Mr. Walser again argued against the bill as
most oppressive ard injurious tampering with the
law, and spoke with great warmth and earnestness
in opposition to it.
Mr.. Burke moved to indefinitely postpone the BILL
| Mr.. Scales offered an amendment prohibiting the
bill from taking effect for one year.
The bill was indefinitely apostponed- a.
nays D.
ton was indefinitely postponed
The bill to restore jury trials to CASTOR county
passed its second and third readings.
The bill to incorporate Deep River and Coal6elds
Railroad was indefinitely postponed
The bill to consolidate the offices of Clerk and
Master in Equity and Superior Court Clerk was
read.
Mr.. Lewis stated he had introduced the bill at
the request of several friends and thought it ought
to pass He answered the several objections made
against the consolidation of the two offices, and
stated that the income of both Offices would not
equal that of some County Court Clerks.
After some remarks from Messrs. Masten and
Dortch, the bill was rejected-ayes 33, noes 60.
A motion to adjourn being made at twenty five
minutes past o'clock, the yeas and nays call
ed and the House refused to adourn-yeas So,
nays 6S.
At twenty-five minutes to 10 o'clock, another
motion to adjourn was made, the yeas and nays be-
ing called the House refused to adjourn-77 to %.
The bill to provide for the election of fourth
judge for the Supreme Court.
On motion of Mr.. Hill of Halifax, the bill was
laid on the table,
At quarter before 10 o'clock another attempt to
adjourn was made, and the yeas and nays called
yeas 81, nays SO. -.
A bill to lay off and establish a new county by
the name of Dickson was read
Mr.. Waters said the bill was called for by the
people Of Cleavand and other counties, and he con-
sidered them entitled to have it. He had no doubt,
but the proposed county had the requisite popula-
ton.
Mr.. Bryan, of New Hanover, moved to lay on the
table
The motion was rejected 40 yeas, 40 nays
The Speaker voted in the negative
Mr. Outlaw moved call of the House and de-
manded the yeas and nays. Rejected-yeas 4s,
nays As. -..
The question was then put on the passage Of the
BILL and decided in the negative-yeas %, nays 81.
At twenty-five minutes past 10 o'clock, motion
to adjourn was made and the yeas and nays called.
The motion was agreed to-yeas "a, nays "a.
The House then adjourned
.. THURSDAY, Jan. ~, 1859.
- SENATE. l.
The Speaker called the Senate to order at 10
o'clock. .ha
Reports from committees by Messrs. Humphrey,
Edney, Thomas and Battle. Mr.. Thomas report
on the North Carolina Central Atlantic and Pacific
railroad was ordered to be printed III.
Mr. Boyd moved that the bill to incorporate the
Rockingham Coalfelds railroad company be made