The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-10
THE CONVENTION,

for the support of government, and for the issue
of treasury notes for the purpose Of paying the
public debt, and purchasing supplies for the
military force employed for defence in the present
war, and for other purposes" This ordinance
provides for the issue of three million of dollars in
treasury notes. bearing interest at the rate of six
per cent. per annum; said notes to be of the de-
nominations offve, ten, twenty, ifty, one hundred,
and two hundred dollars, and shall be payable or
redeemable at the public treasury on the first day
of January, 1865. The said not es shall be recev-
ed by sherifs and other collecting officers in pay
ment of public taxes, and may also be issued
by the Treasurer to pay public creditors, military
officers and troops service, &c, &c The holders
of said notes shall be entitled, if they shall desire
it, to have the same funded, and receive in e1
change for them coupon bonds of the State,
payable in thirty years This ordinance was
reported to the Convention by select commit
tee, consisting of Messrs. Rayner, Satterthwaite,
Strange and Carson. 1t drawn up and passed
with much care
The Convention has also passed the ordinance
reported by Mr. Woodfn, from the committee rails
ed on the subject in relation to the supply Of salt.
1t provides for the manufacture of salt the
sea-coast, to be sent forward fast manufactur
ed, by railroad and navgable waters to be sold to
the people at cost A commissioner to take charge
of the salt works is to be appointed at salary Of
$500 and travelling expenses. The sum of
100000 is appropriated for the purpose.
The ordinance was finally passed by vote of
Ga to IS -Raleigh Standard.
The Salt Ordinance will be found in another
column.
From the proceedings of the Convention We
learn that last week, Mr. Mebane presented a
petition from Alamance county, praying a repeal
Of the S:ay-aw. Nj Armfeld presented pc
tition from citizens of the counties of Yadkin,
and d;cti ri
and pray the Convention to levy tax of 25
per gallon spirits thus distilled.
Mr. Battle of Wake, offered resolution requir-
ing the committee on military affairs to consider
Abe propriety of adopting some measures to induce
II months volunteers from this State to enlist for
the war.
Mr. Mcneil presented memorial from citizens
Of Cumberland county, praying the passage of
ordinances TO protect the people Of the State from
i" the grinding and ruinous actions of SPECTATORS,
and against the establishment of dstilleries-pray-
ing at least, in this regard, the imposition Of
heavy tax on distillcries
Mr. Schenck introduced a resolution to appoint
n committee of five, to inquire into the condition
of sick and disabled soldiers in Raleigh and its
vicinity, and report as to the propriety of the
Conventions taking measures for their immediate
relief. Mr. 5. stated that the situation Of sick
soldiers in this city a deporable one, and that
alIcuIlOH IueS received was inadequate 10 the
relief OF their urgent necessities Mr. Rayner
said that the gentleman's remarks, without bciD.
so intended might be construed as rejecting in |
some degree on the manner in which the Surgeon |
General discharged the duties of his responsible |
position Mr. Schcck disclamed all design of |
making such imputation. Messrs. Rayner, Holden,
Foster and Speed alike testified to the un!ring |
energy and fidelity with which the Surgeon Gen
eral had met the onerous responsibilities of his
OH 70 hy-o Iir,,ri
another resolution to establish hospitals in Raleigh
Edenton, Washington and other places. Mr.
Schenck having accepted the amendment pro-
posed by Mr. Speed, the resolution passed, under |
suspension of the rule
Mr. Smith, Of Johnston, introduced an ordi- |
nance laying tax of 81 per gallon on whiskey |
distilled in this State, after the LIST Of jan, 1862
Dir Rayner presented "a resolution with re-
gard to taxation requiring the Finance commit
tee to inquire concerning the propriety of repeal
of those provisions of the Revenue law which
exempt from taxation the property of all persons
worth less than 5000, and $500 worth of property |
of persons worth more than that Mr. Biggs
opposed the resolution. If entertained, it would |
lead to entire revision of the revenue system
and an interminable session. He opposed the
assumption of Legislative powers by the Conven-
ton. Messrs Osborne and Satterthwaite con-
Cured with Mr. Rayner and urged the resolution
on the grounds, substantially, that the exemptions
named would materially decrease the revenue at a
time when the needs of the State were greatest
and would open wide field for fraud and perjury
Mr. Satterthwaite said the Legislature had utterly
disregarded the previous action of the Convention
concerning the taxation of slaves, by allowing the |
owners of that species of property to af1i1 its
value. He moved to amend the resolution BY re-
qurlng like inquiry to the provisions of the |
revenue law relating to taxation of slaves. The
resolution then passed MIR SatterthYaite s amend
ment having been first adopted.
On Monday, Dec. Cd, Mr. Foster presented |
petitions from citizens of Randolph praying re-
peal of the Stay-law. Mr. Houston like petition
from citizens of Union county, praying also relief
from oppressive spceulatons in salt, &c. Mr. |
Leake, Of Richmond, a petition for protection
against dstilers and SPECTATORS from citizens of
Richmond county. /
On Tuesday, Dec 8, Mr. Ruffin from. the COM
mttee which reported the ordinance for the relief
of the treasury, reported an ordinance allowing |
the Treasurer additional clerk, at a salary of
$3.50, and raising the salary of the chief clerk in
that department to 81 200 per annum.
Mr. Osborne, from the military committee, sub +
mitted together with a majority report, al. urdi-
Greensboro, n. c. and Danvillc, Va
Mr. Thomas of jackson, introduced Gan ordi- !
nance to equalize taxation" and another ito pro-
vide for an equal distribution Of the Common
School fund
The Convention then proceeded to consider the !
special order. ordinance To define and