The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-18


passed.
The bill to repay to certain banks money i'm
properly collected from them taxes, was read the
third time Mr. Hill moved to amend by making
the act in force from and after its passage. The
amendment was adopted, and the bill read the third
time and passed.
TUESDAY, December IL.
SENArE-Mr Stowe introduced bill to COM
nlete the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford
Railroad. and 20 amend its charter 1t was
ferred to the committee on internal improvements.
MIR FasOn introduced bill to construct a
branch of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad
to some poini at near the town of Fayetteville.
Referred to the committee on internal improve
ments.
The hour of noon having arrived, the special
order was taken up, viz: The resolutions intro
duced in the Senate on yesterday by MIR Brown OF
Caswell.
Mr. Brown said, that having learned that the
committee on federal relations would report on to-
morrow, he had consented to postponement at
the suggestions of friends. He moved that the
resolutions be made the special order for II o'clock
tomorrow.
Mr. Avery moved to lay the resolutions on the
table Messrs. Brown of Caswell, and Thomas of
Davidson, requested Mr. Avery to withdraw his
motion for moment. This Mr. Avery refused to
do He intended no dscourtesy to any one-he
only wished to cut off collateral debate, which
consumed so much of the time of the Senate.
The Senate refused to lay on the table, Is voting
in the affirmative, 26 in the negative.
The question recurring on the motion of Mr.
Brown to make the resolutions the special order
for tomorrow, the motion prevailed.
A message from the House Of Commons asked
the concurrence of the Senate In requesting the
opinion of the Supreme Court, to whether the
Legislature has power to call convention of the
people on the subject of federal relations by the
vote of mere majority
Mr. Avery moved to lay the message on the
table. Decided in the negative by vote of y
to II.
lengthy discussion ensued as to the propriety
Of concurring in the message, in which Messrs.
Erwin, Bledsoe and Dockery participated. Much
latitude was allowed in debate. Messrs. Dockery
existing causes, and announced their solemn inten-
ton sacrifice party feeling and all minor consid
erations, in their earnest endeavors to save the
State from hasty secession.
After some further discussion between Messrs.
Brown Dobson and Others the message on motion
of Mr. Brown was laid on the table.
HoUsE.-Mr Henry offered resolution to ap-
point VIM. A. Graham and Judge Ruffn commits
sioners to Virginia to confer with that State on
the subject of federal relations which was referred
to the committee
Mr. Donnell offered resolution asking the opin-
ion of the Supreme Court whether the Legislature
had the power to call Convention without the
concurrence of two-thirds of each House. Mr.
Person moved to lay the resolution on the table,
which refused by the casting vote of the Speak
er, the vote being yeas 50, nays 81. The resolu-
ton then adopted, yeas SO, nays 40.
Nh i 1l..ksx u
on Bank dividends. Mr. Padgett resolution in
favor of L Ward, Sheriff of Polk county. Mr.
Davis of Mecklenburg, presented the Statement of
the condition of the Bank Of Charlotte. Mr. Foy
introduced bill to increase the pay of witnesses
The bill to allow less than a majority of the
Justices of lredei county to transact business was
passed the third time. The bill to prevent free
passes on Railroads was indefinitely postponed.
WEDNESDAY, December II.
SENATE Mr. Stowe presented memorial from
a public meeting in the county of Catawba.
Mr. Brown, from the committee on federal rela-
tions, reported to the Senate bill requiring the
Governor to call Convention of the people. GThe
reports and bill will be found in another column
Mr. Browns resolutions, introduced on Monday
were taken up for discussion, having been made
the special order to-day.
Mr. Avery thought it utterly useless to send this
to South Carolina. if however, it
was sent, he wished to add another resolution.
The amendatOry resolution offered by Mr. Avery,
denied the right of the General Government to
coerce or make war upon seeding State.
Mr. Barringer addressed the Senate at length on
Federal Relations, and opposed the resolutions
Mr. Brown replied, defending the resolutions.
Mr. Turner offered amendment to the
amendment the following: "That no State shall
without the consent of Congress lay any duty of
troops ships in time of peace
enter into any agreement or compact with another
State, or with foreign power, engage in war
unless actually invaded, or in such imminent dan
ger as will not admit of delay And that it is the
duty of the General Government, to collect (peace
fully if it can, forcbly if it must) the duties due
at each and every established port in these United
States"
Mr. Barringer again addressed the Senate at con-
siderable length in reply to Mr. Brown of Caswell
MIR Avery addressed the Senate at length, oppos-
ing the resolutions but urging if they were adopt
ed at all, the adoption also of the amendment he
had offered.
On motion of Mr. Morehead, the resolutions and
amendments were made the special order for II
o clock tomorrow.
HoUsE-Mr Person from the joint select committee
on federal relations made majority report with bill
providing for the call of convention of the State to
meet on the 18th day of February 1861, the delegates
to which to be elected the 18th day the same
MONTH and restricting the convention the considera
ton of matters pertaining to federal relations.
Mr Mebane, from the same committee made mi
nority report against hasty action in calling State
and generally in favor of conservative
action.
Mr. Person moved that the reports be printed and
ma do = nrIa far