The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-22
mt. C.. LEGISLATURE.
SATURDAY, Dec. 10,


Grier and e ID Hampton to collect arrears OF taxes
nassed I'd reading and was re-conmitted to the
committee.
House-Mr Donnell introduced resolution
nroposing that message be sent to the Senate,
with proposition to 20 into the election OF U. 3.
Senator on Saturday next at II o'clock. Mr.
Person objected to the resolution as Saturday was
set apart by rule of the House for matters OF a
private nature Mr. Fleming hoped the gentleman
would not insist on the resolution, there were
many members absent. He moved to lay the re-
solution on the table, which was done by vote OF
As yeas to A nays.
MIR Marsh then offered resolution to 60 into
an election for U. s. Senator on Wednesday. The
vote on a motion to lay on the table was tie, 10
to As The Speaker voted in the Affirmative, and
the resolution was laid ON the table.
MONDAY, Dec. IT,
Senate-A message was received from the
House, proposing to raise joint select committee
of two ON the part OF each House, to inquire into
the expediency of adjourning over Christmas holi-
DAYS, and to appoint sometime for the adjournment
and re-assembling. Concurred In.
MIR Avery introduced a resolution, declaring
that the Federal Government has no power to
coerce seeding State, and that i: is the duty of
North Carolina to resist any attempt OF the Gene
raj Government to force seeding State back into
the Union. Referred to the committee on federal
affairs.
Mr. Walker introduced bill concerning COM
mon schools in North Carolina Ordered to be
printed.
Mr. Erwin introduced bill to provide for the
purchase of arms aud munitions OF war-appro-
priating 900 for that purpose Passed its
first reading.
MIR Erwin moved that the rules be suspended,
Il +bo
At the request of Mr. Walkup the bill was again
read
Mr. Eure was opposed to such precipitate legisla-
ton. The committee had the very matter under
consideration. He not opposed to armlng the
State, but he opposed to such hasty legislation
He moved to refer the bill to the committee on
military affairs
Mr. Street opposed this motion. The committee
he said, had already considered this matter, and
there was no doubt but that this expressed its
views. The people were clamorous for arms, and
he should vote against the reference and for the bill
Mr. Avery said he had received letters from
some of his constituents urging immediate action
on the subjects set forth in this bill He hoped it
would pass without opposition, it exactly
what was needed and asked for by the people at
this juncture of affairs.
Mr. Eure said he was not opposed to the bill,
but he wished it disposed Of with regularity
MIR Dockery Was ia favor of arming the State.
but favord reference to the committee military
affairs.
Mr. Barringer said he was glad to find that Mr..
Dockery was in favor of arming the State. That
his constituents were clanorous for better protec-
ton, and that he hoped the bill would not be re-
ferred, but acted on Immediately.
Mr. Burton said that he was opposed to hasty
legislation but he thought it requisite in this mat
ter. That there difference of opinion and
party lines drawn among his constituents the
subjects that have for time agitated the
country.
Mr Hall thought debate on this bill useless
That there was difference of opinion except as
to the time of making the appropriation He did
not think the passage of this bill could possibly
embarrass the action of the committee on military
affairs.
Mr. Ramsay thought the passage of the bill
would increase the excitement in the country.
Mr. Brown said he should vote against the mo-
ton to refer the bill to the committee federal
relations. He willing to give every facility to
the passage of the bill. He could say, without
any motive prompted by vanity. that he believed
he was the first citizen of the State, who, in a
public meeting, had declared for this object In a
large public meeting, held in the county of Cas-
well, he had offered resolutions ia January last
affirming it to be the imperative duty of the Legis
lature to re-organize the militia of the State, and
to arm them to such extent the public interests
and safety Of the State required.
MIR b. said he would suggest to the Senator who
had introduced the bill, that he would add pro-
vision to it, constituting military board consisting
of two persons well skilled in military affairs
and acquainted with all the most approved arms
He would further suggest that the two principals
of the Military Academies at Charlotte and Hills
borough form board for that purpose They are
gentlemen thoroughly educated in the science of
arms and defence, and the State would doubtless
be much benefited by the information they possess
ed. 1t would be economy to employ them. He
would suggest also, that the board continue only
during the session of the Legislature, at some reas
enable compensation.
Besides the reasons which he had mentioned it
was departing from established precedents of this
and other States, to confer such extensive
authority on any one individual, no matter how
high his official station, and how pure the ndivdu-
al. He had been educated in that political school
which taught that all proper safeguards in the ex-
penditure of so large a sum as three hundred
thousand dollars should be afforded. If Mr. Ma
con we're now living, of exalted purity as he was,
he would be unwilling to confer on him, in an Off
cial character, this extraordinary power unless he
had made some effort to adopt safeguards for its
exercise. If, however, this amendment should be
voted down, he would vote for the bill, notwith-
standing he would regard it without such safe
guard bad precedent. Such was the opinion
that he had for more than year entertained of the
necessity of adopting some such measure.
The debate on this bill was continued by Messrs
Brown, Bledsoe, Arendell and Morehead