Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-17
The legislature.

The Legislature.
The Legislature Of this State, which re-assembled
here on Thursday last in extra session, WILL among
other things lay off the State into ten districts for
members of the Confederate Congress. 1t is to be
boped that this work will be fairly and impartially
dane that no mere partizan advantages will be
sought but that contiguity of Counties, and SINH
arity of interests and compactness Of districts will
alone be regarded.
It is probable that the Legislature will declare the
Congressional districts to be also Electoral districts
and provide for Electors for the State at large.
The provisional government Of the Confederate
States will expire in February next The people of
the States will vote in November next for members
of Congress and for President and Vice President
for the permanent government.
The Legislature will also pass upon such claims
as may be laid before it by the Board Of Claims
in session in this City.
The Legislature will no doubt also feel it to be its
duty to revise and amend the militia law, and nsti
tute such reforms in the volunteer service and its
management as may be deemed necessary.
The action Of the Convention in transferring our
troops to the Confederate government certain
" not intended to interfere with any future legisa
ton 5y the Legislature, deemed necessary for the
complete defence of the State and of seacoast.
We therefore hope, the Legislature will diScountea
ance all attempts which may be made to adjourn the
body, before it has done all that is important to be
done IN this regard
The Convention having very properly amended
the Constitution So TO provide that slaves shall
be taxed like land and other property, according to
value it will be the duty of the Legislature to int
pose this tax so as to have owners Of slaves give
in" such property in July next, according to value
Nor is it matter of small Importance that that
body should institute an inquiry as to the causes
why the laws passed by it at its previous sessions
have not been published and distributed.
Will this Legislature extra session. elect Sena-
tors for six years from and after February next?-
In connection with this subject, We would respect
fully call the attention of members to that clause of
the Confederate Constitution providing for the cleo
ton of Senators.
We trust that the present session may prove a
harmonious one and that the acts and resolves may
be such will promote the best interests of the
State
SPEAKER OF TIE SENATE AND GovERNoR.-It will
be seen, by reference to the Senate proceedings of
Thursday, that that body on motion of Col. Brown,
laid the table resolutions introduced by Mr.
Turner, proposing an inquiry into the proprety of
electing Governor by the Legislature. This action
of the Senate settles the question; and Gov. Clark
is, therefore, acting Governor, is exercising the
powers of Governor by virtue of his Office Speak
er of the Senate. Gov Clark himself who called
the Senate to order, and who presided portion Of
the time on Thursday, took occasion to announce
his views on the subject in which views the Senate
acqnesced as correct by its action above referred
to- This action is in accordance with all the prece-
dents on the subject in the history of the State
Gov. Clark will doubt, however, find it exceed
lngy incOnvenent to preside over the Senate and
the same time perform the duties of Governor. The
probability is, therefore, that he will designate some
Senator to preside that the Senate itself will elect
Speaker pro tenn.
The difficulty encountered in constituting the Con-
shtuton on this point, would of itself suggest as
desirable measure, the alteration of the Constitution
so as to provide for Lieutenant Governor, to be
elected by the people. We trust that the Conven.
ton, when it re-assembes in November next will
make such provision will remove all doubt on the
subject