Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-26
srATE LEeIsLATURE
SENATE.

On the 18th, after the presentation OF the
proceedings of meetings In several counties,
Mr. Avery introduced a resolution, declaring
that the Federal Government had no power
70 cOerec q seeding State, and that 1t was
the duty Of North Carolina to oppose any
attempt which the Federal Government might
make 10 cAcrcc q seeding State back INTO tue
Union. Referred to committee on federal
affairs and ordered to be printed. A number
of bills were introduced and referred. Mr..
Erwin introduced u bill 10 provide Tor The
purchase Of arms and ammunitions oil war,
and appropriatiug 100000; TO be raised by
the issuing of State bonds. Considerable de
bate ensucd, but the bill passed two readings
and was made the order Of the day Tor to-
morrow.
On the 1sth. the bill passed its third read
ing. all the Senators present voting Tor inc
bill except Mcssrs. Ramsay, Sharpe and
Worth. No other business Of importance
has Teen transacted in the Senate since.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
On the 18th proceedings Of various county
meetings were presented Reports from scve-
raj standing committees were presented, but
40 action taken on them. Several bills were
introduced and referred, notice of which Will
be taken when they come up for action. Inc
resolution heretof re introduced TO send com
missioners to South Carolina, after an cxcit-
inc debate was laid on the table. Mr.. Will
Iiams Of Nash, introduced u bill to appoint
commissioners TO all the Southern States, to
consult as TO the propriety Of having a general
Southern conference in order to secure con
cert Of action up0a whith no action was
taken.
On tho 18th, an Intellectual attempt was
made to take mp the bin for arming the State.
Mr.. FagG, from the committee on Military
Affairs reportedback the bill for the establish
lishmcnt of Il Foundry on Deep River, and
stated that for want of Information as to the
cost Of said work, they submitted a resolution
that the Governor be requested to furnish
such information as was now in his posses
sion, or that lac might be able to get in the
next thirty days, and report the same to the
House. The resolution was adopted. Mr..
Fcrebce from the Joint Select Committee to
report n time for the adjournment Of both
Houses until alter the Christmas Holidays,
reported back a resolution to grant a general
leave Of absence to all the members from
Thursday tire Goth inst, to Monday the 18th
Of January. On motion Of Mr.. Hayes, the Isl
Of january was substituted for the 18th, and
the proposition passed. Mr.. Mebane intro.
- 81 IN~FilAltiA IApNi Ati@ W. hiAN VII
Of a convention Of all the States for the pur.
pose Of amending the constitution of the Uni
tel States; which resolution was introduced
as supplementary to the minority report OF
Federal Relations, and was made the specia
order tor the Sd Of Januray.
Mr.. Henry introduced Il resolution author
isiug the Governor to purchase a flag for thu
Capitol, and directing the door-keeper to hois
the ilag on the top Of the Capitol. Mr.
Crumplcr moved that the resolution be pu
on it, second reading.
Mr.. Ilokc moved that it be referred to thu
committee on Propositions and Grievances.
Mr.. Siler hoped the resolution would no
be referred. II was true a stain rested oil
the National flag"-the stain Of lansticism, ant
il was true that to-day a star would be strucl
from il, but, while patriots were making al
earnest effort to wipe out that stain, and t
invoke that star back to It's place, let it still
float over the Capitol.
Mr.. iloke favored the purchase Of a Stat
flag, and contcndcd that we now had no Ma
tioual flag.
The motion to put the resolution on its Sc
c5nd reading did not pass.
Mr.. Galloway introduced n set of rcsolu
tons authoTising the Governor to confer witt
the other States relative to the holding of
convention OF all the states, TO DC helu /
New York city some time in February; sal
convention to he composed Of three delegate
from each State.
1t has been the opinion Of some, that
vote of tWo-thirls Of both houses was neccs
cssary to call any Convention of the people
But n different conciusi n is reported a
coming from Judge Rullin, whose ability er
titles any iutimation Of his to the weight a
most of q formal adjudication. This doul
led Mr.. Donncl, Of Beaufort, to introduce
resolution proposing to both Houses to reft
to the Supreme Court tue question az t
whether Il vote Of two, birds or a bare III;
jority Of the Legislature was required to ca
a Convention in the present condition
things. 1t was opposed by Messrs. Fiemini
Batcheior, Wright and others, upon tt
pound, that the Judiciary, Legislative an
Executive Branches were distinct and shout
he kept separate, that the Supreme COu
was an appellate tribunal, and as this refe
cnee was not 10y way Of appeal or the CO..
s]tructiou ofany Constitutional difficulty in Il
nature Of an appeal, the precedent shou'
not be set, or if set would, from obyio,
policy, he more honorcd in the breach tn;
the observance. IL passed the House but "
tabled in the Senate.