Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-24
Things In RaIeigh-The Convention.

n
that it is not probable that any Convention bill will be
passed before next week. many people want to talk,
that it is proposed to establish rule limiting debate Our
friend further expresses the opinion that the following
BILL introduced by Mr. Clark, of Craven or something
like it, is perhaps the only bill that can pass We can
not but think that the set forth in this bill looks
very much like an evasion of responsibility, and divs
ion of labor ard legislation not contemplated in the
Constitution, which never intended that mere acts Of
the General Assembly should be submitted to the peo
pie The bill seems to to be confused affair gener-
ally but such it is we lay it before readers It
may be amended killed yet, for there no knowing
1rhat the Legislature may do, or not do -
BILL concerning a ConoentiOn of the People.
WHEREAS The present perious condition OF the country
demands in the judgment of this General Assembly, that
the sovereign people of this State should assemble in
vention effect honorable adjustment of existing diff
wise to determine will preserve the honor
promote the interests of North Carolina and ecereds
involving of North Carolina to her sisters in the
confederacy, reluctant to adopt settled policy with
the of the people, in whom, under govern
ment, all sovereignty resides being first tanned
Section l. Be ii therefore enacted by the General Assem-
biz Of the State # North Carolina, and Is hereby enacted
by the authority Of the same That upon the passage of this
Governor Of the State be- and he hereby required
pecve counties in the State to open polls at he several
election precincts in said counties on the = day of
when
the General Assembly, may vote for or against State
Convention those who wish convention voting with a
printed written ticket Convention and those who do
not wish convention voting in the same way No Con
ventOn ALSO to open separate polls at the said time and
places for the election of delegates TO the conVenton to be
assembled on such terms as hereinafter provided SAID polls
to be superintendent by inspectors appointed by the Sher
ifs with the advice OF three justices of the peace, of the
respective who shall be according to the
provisions of sec. 6, chap. 81, OF Revised Code
FEC 2. Be 1t further enacted That it shall be the duty of
the SheTs to make out duplicate statements OF their polls
in their respective counties, on the question OF COnVen
ton and No Convention sworn to before the clerk Of
the County court one copy OF which shall be deposited IN
said clerks Office and the other copy transmitted to the
Governor Of the State, at Raleigh Immediately after said
election.
SEC. g. Be 1t further enacted That it shall be the duty
of the Governor he shall have received the
turns of the she in the presence of the Secretary Of tie
State, Public Treasurer and Comptroller to compare the
number of for and against convention; ana if it
shall appear that ory OF the votes pOied are IN ia
of convention, lie shall forthwith issue proclamation in
such he think proper summoning the dele
gates said convention aforesaid in
Raleigh, day Of IN the year thousand eight
hundred and sNtyone. And if the majority of the votes
poed against conventon the Governor shall, in like
manner issue reclamation OF that fact and in that
the assembling the said delegates elected aforesaid
under the provisions OF this act hereby declared to be il
legal and OF effect.
SEC. Be further enacted, That the election for del
as aforesaid shall be held and conducted in the
elections for members OF the General Assem-
bly, and the vote shall be counted and the scrolls compared
and certificates issued in the prescribed by
law for members Of the House Of Commons
SEC. 5. Be further enacted, That if vacancy shall
cur by the death resignation or removal from the State
the refusal serve any person elected delegate
aforesaid the presiding officer Of the convention shall issue
his writ the sheriff Of the county in which such vacancy
have occurred after such notice the convention
ORDER to open poll fill such vacancy under the
rules and regulations hrenbG0re prescribed for the
election of DELEGATES.
SEC 6. BE further, enacted That the said convention
shall consist OF hundred and twenty delegates and each
county shall lie entitled to the number Of delegates
members of the House of Commons under the last appor
tOnment.
Sac. Be further endcLcd That the mileage and per
diem pay of the delegates to said convention shall be the
that Of members of the General Assembly, be
paid in the manner and said convention shall have
power to fix the pay of all its officers and Of represen
tatVes any convention State, and shall provide
other expenses to be paid out Of the treasury may d
rect.
SEC. 6. Be further enacted, That the said convention
shall have power elect officers and prescribe quafca-
lions for its members not inconsistent with the true intent
of this act.
SEC. 8. Be further enacted, That the said convention
shall have power consider all grievances affecting North
Carolina member of the conederacy, according the
true intent and meaning of this act and all questions Of
constitutional reform, excepting such may propose
change the basis OF assent
dissent of the people to the proposition herein contained
being respectively expressed by the votes Convention,
and No Convention at the time and in the mode herein
before provided.
SEC. TO- Be further enacted That ordinance of said
convention shall any force validity until k have
been ratified by majority of the qualified voters for
bers of the General Assembly, to whom it shall be submit
ted according to the mode prescribed for election of
bes to the House of Commons the dissent of
people hereto being expressed IN preceding sections OF
this act.
SEC. H. Be 1t further endctel That this act shall be in
force from and Immediately after its ratification.