Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-06-12
The STANDARD.
NoRrH.CAROLINA STATE CONVENTION.

/ ne SIaQOaTO.
STATE CONVENTION.
TUESDAY, June 4, 1861.
The President took his seat at II o'clock.
Prayer by Rev. j. W. Tucker.
The Journal of Monday was read and approved.
Mr. Badger introduced several amendments to the
rules of the Convention, mainly in relation to the
order Of business which read and laid over one
day under the rule.
Tie President announced the following commit
tees:
Z. On the resolution concerning annual sessions Of
the General Assembly: Messrs Osborne, Howard,
Battle of Wake, Thornton and Gilmer.
On the resolution for the amendment OF 10th sec
of the Constitution, concerning the calling OF the
yeas and nays in the General Assembly: Messrs.
Rayner Merritt Berry, Register and Hicks.
Mr.. Ellison moved to take from the table the res
olution offered by him some days since, fixing the
daily sitting, at o'clock with recess from l.SO to
$50 D. m, and the motion prevailed.
Mr.. Ellison then moved to strike out 80" and in
sert 40" and it was agreed to-
Mr. Jones of Rowan objected to all of the resolu-
ton except the part requiring to meet at 10 o'clock
Mr. Ellison said he considered the part objected to
the most important of all he thought the Conven-
ton ought to have afternoon sessions.
Mr. Gorrell moved an amendment that the recess
be from 2 to o'clock, p. h., and the amendment
the was accepted.
Mr.. Jones Of Rowan, moved to strike out all after
clause relating to the hour of meeting
Mr.. Badger objected to the provision for afternoon
sessions. He said that all knew he was opposed to
opening the sessions so early ten o'clock, but he
would waive his objections on this, but he really
could not give his sanction to afternoon sessions
he had never seen any good accomplished by after
noon sessions-membcrs were generally less quail
fed for business at these hours and the sessions
would be more likely to RESULT mischief than other
wise.
Mr.. Osborne thought it impotic to have after
noon sessons-the committees had important mat
tiers before them, and ought to have time to give
them the consideration their importance demanded.
Mr.. Ellison in answer to Mr.. Badger, said he
thought the Convention would be as competent TO
attend to business in the afternoon after their
dinner and wine, as they were in the morning; and
in answer to Mr.. Osborne, he said that he thought
the committees would have plenty Of time before 10
o'clock to deliberate upon matters before them, and
that the business of the Convention would receive
more dispatch by giving more time for its discus
sion in the Convention
Mr. Satterthwaite said that in ordinary times he
would be willing to give indulgence, but these are
breeze to be laden with the intelligence of the death
of some near and dear friend on the battle field
He said the Convention of 1885 met at o'clock, in
the morning, and shall We, in these times, indulge
in ease, and partake of our rich dinners and fine
wines, while the country is threatened with danger
on every side?
Mr. Badger said he did not know of any body in
Raleigh who partook of rich viands and fine wines !;
he, himself, never touched a drop of wine-it was
poison to him-that he generally takes plain din
ner, and took only the plain, republican, North
Carolina beverage, known as corn:juice or whskey.
But he would confess to an inclination to take lit
tie rest after dinner.
Mr.. Bachelor said ne was in favor of the resolu-
ton. The committees could meet earlier, and thus
have plenty of time. He thought there was no
force in the argument, that members were unfit for
business in the afternoon; he did not get in that
condition, himself and didn't think many of the
other members did. Laughter.
The question on Mr.. Jones amendment, was put,
and decided in the negative
The resolution, as amended by Mr.. Gorrell, was
then adopted-yeas IS, nays Is.
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr.. Hicks resolution for committee to re-
port an amendment to the Constitution, providing
that no one under twentv-one years Of age, shall
hold seat in the House of Commons in the Gener-
al Assembly of this State, and that no one under
twenty five years Of age, shall hold seat in the
Senate. Adopted.
By Mr.. Speed, resolution requiring the commit
tee on Constitutional amendments to inquire into
the propriety of so amending the Constitution to
make the number of Senators thirty-two, and the
number Of members of the House of Commons to be
one hundred; the election of Senators to be SO
ranged to elect oncthird every two years, in
Of biennial elections, to elect one-fourth every
year. in case of annual elections
By Mr. Stewart resolution that no member
shall speak longer TIM twenty minutes on any sub
ject until the ordinance to adopt the Confederate
Constitution the plan for the defence of the State
and the election of delegates to the Southern Con-
gress have been disposed Of The resolution lies
over one day under the rule.
By Mr. Ward, resolution to take q recess from
and after Saturday next until the 22d of July, un-
less sooner convened by the proclamation of the
President
Mr.. Reid moved to amend by substituting Mon
day for Saturday, and the amendment was accepted
Mr.. Hicks moved to amend further, by appoint
ing the first day Of October as the time for re-as-
sembllng.
Mr.. Rayner said, he hoped members would give
the subject serious consideration before voting it
he wanted test VOTE that the people might know
if we were willing to 60 away from here, without
doing what we we're sent here to do.
appointing committee to report q day for ad.
journment.
Mr.. Speed, to amend by instructing the same
committee to report on the expcdency of meeting
at Beaufort when the Convention shall again come
together.
Mr.. Reid was in favor of fixing day for adjourn
ment He said bis experience taught him that bust
ness was done more expeditiously in delberative
bodies when there was day fixed for adjournment
He said that an early day ought to be fixed for ad
journment; thst we are not in condition now to
attend to general amendments to the Constitution
let the Convention take recess and thus give the
committees time to make up their reports on the
matters referred to them.
The resolution was further discussed, by Messrs
Sprul Of BERTHE, Pettigrew, and others.
Mr.. Pettgrew moved to lay the whole matter or
the table; not adopted-yeas 81, nays SO.
Mr.. Ruffn was in favor of referring the subject tt
committee He thought the Convention ought tc
attend to the business before it. before adjourning
There are several matters Of importance yet to bt
attended to-; committee could give the necessary