Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-12
A LEGISLATURE.

M@E
We give a general summary of the pro-
ceedings of the two Houses during the past
week:
In the Senate, Mr.. Ramsey Of Rowan, of
fered resolutions, calling on the Treasurer of
the State to give his opinion as to the policy
of this State making an increase of its pres
ent Indebtedness, either by appropriations
to works Of internal improvement, or appro-
p~riations of money for putting the State on a
war footing and fur ther what amount of
money can be raised by the means of the
State, at this time, for meeting its present
and prospective obligations, or for warlike
purposes Laid on the table, on motion of
MIR. Avery-ayes 26-nays ID. A bill for
the appointment of IN additional Flour In
spector in Wilmington, passed its three sew
eral readings. A joint select committee on
the part of each House, was appointed, on
the subject of Geology and the State Geolo-
gist. Edward Vail has been elected Engross-
ing Clerk and u. W. Courts, State Treas
urer by almost a unanimous vote. Mr.. Thorn
as of Dawson offered resolutions, proposing
to appoint two Commissioners from this
State, to attend the State Convention of
South Carolina on the 18th inst. Rejected.
A number of private bills past first reading
and were referred to appropriate Committees,
of which we will take notice when they
come up for final action.
The proceedings of meetings in various
counties have been presented in both Houses
concerning our federal relations. In the
Senate on the 9th, they gave rise 10 an ex-
cited debate between Messrs. Brown of Gas
well and Avery ofBurke-the former against
secession for existing causes, and Mr.. Avery
IN favor. Nothing of general importance
transpired since.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
A memorial has been presented and refer
red to the Judiciary committee, asking for the
removal OF free negroes from the State also
from a free woman of color asking to enslave
herself for life. In answer to an inquiry,
the Governor transmitted a message, telling
the number of AIMS belonging to the State
and the disposition made Of those received
from the general Government. 1T was a
beggarly show indeed. The Standing Com
mittees reported divers bills referred to them
recommending the passage of some and the
rejection of others-the final disposition of
which we will report when acted upon. The
select committee appointed to investigate as
to the legal organization of the House, re-
ported that the acts of the House were legal
and asked for further time to report OF
the other points in controversy. The
Charter for a Railroad from Milton to the
Company Shops On the n. c.. r. r. passed
1st reading A resolution was referred to the
committee on military affairs, for establish
ing a mandatory of fire arms at some poin
on Deep river. The bin to present the eman
cipation of slaves by will, passed its thre
several readings. The bill to amend the rev
enue laws of $3.50 was read a secon,
time and referred to Committee on finance
\ memorial was presented from citizens Q
Rockingham in Richmond county, prayin
for the enactment of a law forbidding til
sale of spirituous liquors within two mile
of said town which was referred to tn
Committee on propositions and grievances
A bill for arming the State was referred t
committee on military affairs 1t provide
for the purchase of muskets, bayonets, pov
der, ball, cartridges and percussion caps ft
the collection and repairs of the arms alre;
dy belonging to the State: for the purchas
Of salt petre, sulphur, &C., and appropriate,
1920, 600 for those purposes. 1t also ofel
a bonus of $500 to any individual Or con
pany who shall establish a powder factor
and guarantee to supply the State with tt
amount of powder it may demand. TIL
Senate bill regulating the time for ope
ing the polls at elections in Salisbury, Ash,
vile, Wilmington and Lexington, passed la
reading and ordered to be ~eng1ossed.
A large number of bills wee read fir
time and referred to appropriate committe
on the 9th and 7th, which will be notic'
hereafter. We notice several asking f
protection, in certain localities, from the
Quor traffic. Better make a general law al
outlaw the thing entirely. Intellectual
tempts were made to take up bills Nos. l al
2 on amending the State Constitution I
bill to exempt certain property Zone negr
from execution, was indefinitely postpone(
also the bill 10 appropriate the Cosm,
School fund exclusively to the benefit of
ligent children for ten years; also the b
; for raising tax to keep up public roat
bridges, &c. NJ. Wishart of Robson
!, PRODUCED a bill for the relief of the peop
which provides FIR the suspension of the e
: 1cution laws for the term of two years-la
IN the table and ordered to be printed. Z
, dill to regulate the fees Of Registers, was
definitely postponed.