Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-02-23
LEGISLATURE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
MONDAY. Feb. IA, 1859.
SENATE.

A number of engrosscd bills were read the first
time.
MFR. Turner introduced resolution on the subject
Of the public lands and made speech in its sup
port.
Mr.. Ashe denounced the whole distribution
scheme. lie considered the introduction of such
resolution at such time as highly mischievous,
when every moment of the public time was required
to enable them to get through the public business,
being within day or two of an adjournment lie
moved to lay the resolution the table and called
for the yeas and nays.
Mr. Turner raised point of order. He insisted
he had right under the constitution to have vote
on the main question.
The chair ruled that the motion to lay on the
table was in order.
Mr.. Turner opposed and called for the yeas and
nays.
Chair sr,staincd-32 to s.
The resolution was then laid on the table by a
strict party vote of q to 16.
Mr.. Turner then offered resolution denuncia-
tory of the removal of Senator Douglas from the
head of the committee on territories.
On motion to lay on the table,
Mr. Turner demanded the ayes and noes.
The motion prevailed by strict party vote again
aye 81, no Is.
Mr.. Gorrell introduced bill for the protection
of tte corert lunaticS deserted by their husbands
Referred to the committee on the judiciary.
Mr. Mcdonald offered resolution instrnctlng our
CONGRESSIONAL delegation to claim the States 'sheer
of the public lands for the purpose Of the sinking
fund.
On motion to lay on the table,
Mr. Mcdonald called for the ayes and noes.
The motion prevailed by party vote of 26 to 10,
except that Mr.. Battle changed his vote and voted
with the opposition on this question.
MAGISTRATES AGAIN.
A list of magistrates for Camden taken up.
Mr.. Turner asked if Ar. Mitchell was a man Of
good moral character.
Mr. Williams (Senator from that county, said the
list contained nothing but honorable men.
Mr. Turner required to know if Mitchell was OF
good moral character. He understood he got pub
licly drunk.
Mr. Williams did not condcscend to reply to this.
Mr. Basnight, however, informed Mr.. Turner that
Mitchell was the X. n. candidate in opposition to
the Commoner from that county.
Mr. Mcdonald also wanted 10 know if Mitchell got
drunk.
Mr. Miller too wanted to know.
Mr. Williams would reply to neither one or the
other.
Mr. Turner moved to strike out Mitchell. Rejec-
ted, "a to 6.
Mr. Pool exhibited list from the county court Of
Camden.
The list recommended by Mr.. Williams, including
Mitchell, was concurrcd in % to H.
On the list for Chatham being taken up,
Mr. Turner asked as to the character of one per
son on it.
Mr.. Straughan said it was irreproachable Con
CURED in.
Several other lists were then concurred in.
Mr.. Turner made speech on the list for Craven
and moved to lay it on the table Rejected almost
unanimously.
On concurriig in the list Mr.. Mcdonald called
for the ayes and noes Concurrcd in q to Il.
REGULAR BUSINESS.
Several motions to make bills special orders were
voted down.
The consideration of the bill relative to the Cap,
Fear and Deep River improvement was resumed, the
question being on Mr.. Pi.chfords amendment
Mr. Pitchford offered substitute for his bill, the
consideration of which, after debate, was postponed
till o'clock p m.
The bill to restore jury trials to the county courts
of t;aston passed its second and third readings.
The bill to alter the dividing line between the
counties of Wayne and Wilson was supported by
Mr. Clark (Mr. Steele in the chair) and opposed by
Mr.. Lane.
Mr.. Leach moved to lay on the table Rejectct
25 to g.
On the passage of the bill on its second reading
Mr. Lane demanded the ayes and noes. Adopted
q to ).
The bill to abolish the office of Adjutant Genera
passed its second and third readings
Also the bill relative to public arms and
The bill to facilitate the collection of taxes on rea
estate
4 message received from the House proposing t.
90 forthwith into an election of ten Trustees for tn
University Concurred in and after considerable dc
lay occaSoned by the opposition of Messrs. Turner
Mcdonald, Pool, Miller and Cowper, the Senate bal
lotcd.
The bill to authorize the sale of State bonds to al
amount of S1360000 to meet the payment @
bonds falling due in 1850 and 1861, and for othc
purposes was put upon its third reading.
Mr. BledSoe offered an amendment to authorz
the treasurer to sell the bonds at the highest rate
possible.
Mr. Turner opposed the amendment allowin
the treasurer to evade the law requiring the bond
to be sold at not less than par value 1t was mon
strous proposition. Mr.. Turner continued at con
siderable length
Mr. Bcdsoe said that if he had not been acquaint
ed with Mr.. Turner'S course this session, he woul
have been surprised but his course on this amend
ment was in keeping with his whole course durin
the session. The proposition simply was to provid
for the honest debts of the State, and this was dc
nounced as a "monstrous proposition" twas nc
proposed to sell bonds at less than par value. Bu
a large amount of debt had to be met within tn
next two years. and the bonds must be sold and a
less than par value, if necessary, or those debt
would have to be repudiated, and disgrace com
upon the State, for there were no other means {
paying this debt He told Mr.. Turner if he coul
90 back to Orange and make capital out of oppos
ton to this, he was quite welcome to do so. II
was glad to differ with that Senator on this matter
The credit of the State had to be maintained, an
he (Mr. b. was for any course to do that.
Mr. Turner complained of these personalities
He had only stated his grounds for the opposition
He protested against personal remarks. He ha
no reference to his constituents in his course on th
matter. If he could not stand upon his own merit
he did not want to come here He looked at tn
matter as it affected the country, not party; and
his constituents did not like his course they nee
not avail themselves of his services. After som
heightened remarks, he concluded by saying he wa
opposed to loosing the little hold they had on tn
treasurer.
Mr. Miller echoed the opinions of Mr.. Turner.
Mr.. Steele said he was not going to make aspecc
run all round creation to give his views on hi
subject The simple proposition was, the State ha