The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-05
STATE CONVENTION.

State Convention. Two boxes are to be opened
one for Delegates and the other "for Convention"
or ono Convention" ia majority authorize
Convention, the Governor is to assemble the men,
bers by proclamation at as early day as practical
bic, and the Convention is only to take into con-
sideration federal matters. Each county is en-
titled to the same number of delegates it has
members in the House of Commons For in
stance, Mecklenburg will have 2, Union l,
Cabarrus l, Lincoln l, Catawba l, CASTOR l, Ire
dell 2, Cleave Gland 2, Rowan 2, &C. An oath is
prescribed to be taken by each member. The ac-
ton of the Convention is to be submitted to the
people for ratification rejection. 1t is not likely
the Convention meet before the middle Of
March. The following is the Bill as passed
AN ACT CONCERNING A CONVENTION OF THE
PEOPLE.
Whereas The present perous condition of the
country demands, in the judgment of this General
Assembly, that the sovereign people of this State should
assemble in convention effect honorable adjust
ment of existing difficulties whereby the Federal Union
is endangered otherwise to determine what action
will best preserve the honor and promote the interests
of North Carolina and, whereas this General Assem-
bly, matters of such grave import, involving the
lations of North Carolina to her sisters in the
federacY reluctant to adopt settled policy with
out the sense of the peope, in whom under our gov
eminent all sovereignty resides being first ascertaned:
SECTION l. Be it therefore enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is
hereby enacted by the authority of the same, two
thirds of both Houses concurring That upon the
sage of this act the Governor of the State be and he is
hereby required to issue proclamation commanding
the shers of the respective counties in the State to
open polls at the several election precincts, in said
counties the 2Sth day of February, 1861 when and
where all persons qualified to vote for members of the
General Assembly may vote for against State con-
vention those who wish convention voting with
written printed ticket convention, and those who
do not wish convention voting in the same way no
eonvention;" Also to open separate polls at the said
and places, for the election of delegates the
vention to be assembled such terms as are herein
after provided, said polls to be superintendent by in
spectors appointed by the shers with the advice OF
three justices of the peace of the respective countless
who shall be according to the provisions of sec-
ton g. chapter So, of revised code
Sec 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the sheris make duplicate statements of
their polls in their respective counties, on the question
of convention" and no convention" sworn to before
the clerk of the county court copy of which shall
be deposited in said clerks Office and the other copy
transmitted the Governor of the State, at Raleigh,
under the rules and regulations and under the
penalties prescribed in the of the
turns of the for electors of President and Vice
President prescribed by law Immediately after
the election.
SEC g. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the Governor he shall have received
the of the shers in the presence of the Sec
retary of the State Public Treasurer and Comptroller,
O
vention and if it shall appear that majority of the
votes poed in favor of convention, he shall forth
with issue a proclamation in such manner as he may
think proper summoning the delegates elected said
convention aforesaid to convene in Raleigh on sach
day he may designate in his said proclamation Pro-
pided The day designated be not earlier than the 18th
of March and if majority of the votes polled are
against convention, the governor shall, in like man
issue proclamation of that fact; and in that case
the assembling of the said delegates, elected aore
said under the provisions of this act is hereby decla
ed to be illegal and of no effect.
Sec 4. Be it further enacted, That the election
for delegates as aforesaid shall be held and conducted
in the manner as elections for members of the
General Assembly and the vote shall be counted and
the scrolls compared and certificates issued in the
prescribed by law for members of tie House
of Commons.
SEC g. Be it further enacted, That if vacancy
shall occur by the death, resignation, or removal
from the State by the refusal to any person
elected delegate aforesaid the presiding officer of
the Convention shall issue his writ to the sheriff of the
county in which such vacancy have occurred after
such notice the convention may order, to open
poll fill such vacancy under the same rules and reg
uatons herenbefore prescribed for the election of
delegates.
SEC g. Be it further enacted, That the said
vention shall consist of one hundred and twenty dele
gates and each county shall be entitled to the same
number of delegates members the House of Com
MONS under the last apportionment.
Sec Z. Be it further enacted, That the mileage and
per diem pay of the delegates said convention shall
be the that of members of the General Assem-
bly, be paid in the manner, and said conven-
ton shall have the power TO NIX the pay OF All It's OH
GERS and any representative to any convention or
State and shall provide for other expenses to be paid
out of the treasury as ii may direct
Sec s. Be it further enacted, That the said conven-
ton shall have the power to elect its officers and pre-
scribe qualifications for its MEMBERS not inconsistent
with the true intent of this act.
SEC 9. Be it further enacted That the said conven
ton shall have the power to consider all grievances
affecting North Carolina member of the confedera-
cy according to the true intent and meaning of this
act the dissent of the people to the PROPOSE
ho1 olx nv
the convention" or "no convention, at the time
and in the mode hereinbefore provided
SEC TO- Be it further enacted, That no ordinance OF
said convention shall have force validity until
it shall have been ratified by majority of the qualified
voters for members of the General Assembly to whom
shall be submitted according to the mode prescribed
for elections of members the House of Commons,
dissent of the people hereto being express
sed as in preceding section of this act
Sec. H. Be it further enacted, That no delegate
elected shall be permitted to take his seat i'll
said convention until he shall have taken and subscrb
ed the following OATH before any Judge of the Supreme
or Superior Courts any justice of the of Wake
county, to-wt H. A. B.. do solemny swear Tor affirm
as the case may be that will do any act contrary
to the act ofthe General Assembly, under which this
convention is Called and that will duly and faithfully
discharge my duties member of this convention &C
cording the best ofmy knowledge and ability, so help
me God.
Sec H. Be it further enacted, That this act shall be
in force from and after its ratification.
W.T. DORTCH, S. H. C.
Ratified Fl. T. CLARK, 5. S.
Acc1DENr.-On Monday evening the 2sth an acct
dent occurred the WILL Char, Ruth. Railroad near
Rewards Station train of box cars containing a