The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-02-13
STATE OF NORTH cARoLrNa.
A PROCLAMATION:

PROCLAMATION:
By joins w. ELLIS, Governor Of North Carolina,
WHEREAS, The following law has been enacted by
the General Assembly Of the State Of North Caro-.
lima, to wit:
An Act Concerning Convention Of the People.
WHEREAS, The present perilous condition Of the
country demands in the judgment Of this Gene
raj Assembly that the sovereign people OF this State
should assemble in Convention to effect ain honora-
Bile adjustment OF existing difficulties whereby the
the Federal Union is endangered, or otherwise to
determine what action will best preserve the honor
and promote the interests Of North Carolina; and
whereas, this General Assembly, on matters Of
such grave import involving the relation Of North
Carolina 10 her sisters in the confcderacy is re-
luctant 10 adopt any settled policy without the
sense Of the people, IN whom, under our govern
ment, all sovereignty resides, being first ascer-
tanned.
SIC. 1. Belt therefore enacted by the General
Assembly Of the State Of North Carolina, and II is
hereby enacted by the authority Of the same, two
thirds Of all the members Of each house concur
ring, That upon the passage Of this act the Gov
ernor Of the State be- and he is hereby required 10
issue proclamation, commanding the Sheritfs Of
the respective counties ia the State TO open polls
al the several election preents in said counties on
the 2sth day Of February A. d., 1861, when and
where all persons qualified TO vote for members Of
the General Assembly may vote for or against a
State Convention: those who wish convention,
voting with printed or written ticket "Conyen.
ton and those who do not wish . convention,
4 voting in the same way "No Convention !" also
to open separate polls at the said time and places
for the election o. delegates 10 the convention, 70
be assembled on such times AZ are hereafter pro-
vided said polls TO be superintended by inspectors
appointed by the sherhs, with the advice Of three
4 4.
who shall be sworn according 70 the provisions Of
sec 6, chap. 90, Of Revised Code.
SEc o Be Il further enacted, That i shall be
the duty Of the sherins 70 make out duplicate
statements Of their polls, in their respective coun-
ties, on the question 81 Convention and "No
Convention" sworn tObeforc the clerk Of the coun-
ty court. one copy Of which shall be deposited in
said clerks Office, and the other transmitted TO the
Governor Of the State Al Raleigh, under the same
rules and regulations. and under the same penal.
ties as are prescribed in the case OF the returns Of
the vote Tor electors Of President and Vice presi-
dent as now prescribed BY law, Immediately after
said election
SIC B Be Il further enacted, That Il shall be the
duty Of the Governor as soon as he shall have re-
ceiycd the returns OF the shcris, in the presence
of the Secretary Of the State Public Treasurer and
Comptroller, 60 compare the number of votes for
and against i convention; and II Il shall appear
that majority q the votes pollcd are in favor Of
a convention, he shall forthwith issue q proclama-
ton IN such q manner a he may think proper,
summoning the delegates elected 90 said convention,
as aforesaid 10 convene Ii Raleigh, on such day Al
he may designate in his said proclamation; Provi.
dcd, the day designated be not earlier than the
eleventh of March; and II majority of the votes
polled are against convention, the Governor shall
in like manner issue a proclamation Of that fact
and IN that case the assembling Of the said dele.
gates elected as aforesaid under the provisions d
this act, Is hereby declared 10 be illegal and u no
effect.
sFc. T. he Il further enacted, That the election
for delegates as aforesaid shall be held and con.
dnrted 10 the same manner As election for members
of the General Assembly, and the vote shall Be
counted and the scrolls compared, and certificates
issued 10 the same manner as prescribed BY law
cor members of the House Of Commons
SEc B. Be Il further enacted, That " vacancy
shall occur by the death, resignation or removal
from the State or BY the refusal 20 serve, Of any
person elected delegate as aforesaid the presiding
officer Of the Convention shall issue bis writ 70 the
Sheriff o. the county in which such vacancy may
have occurred aftcr such notice a. the convention
may order, 70 open poll 70 oil such vacancy I'm.
der the same rules and regulations as herein before
prescribed for the election q delegates.
SEc. O De Il further enacted, That the said cum
ycntion shall consist u one hundred and twenty
delegates, and each county shall be entitled 70 the
same number of delegates as members Of tho
House q Commons under the last superintendent
: SIC. Z. Be Il further enacted, That the mileage
and per diem pay q the delegates 70 said con.
veniion shall be the same Is that Of the members
Of the General Assembly. 10 be paid in tho sano
manner; and said convention shall have the powef
20 tx the pay Of all its officers and Of any repro
sentative 20 any convention or State and shall pro-
vide Cor other expenses TO bcpaid out Of The treas
, Jury As Il may direct.
Src s. BE Il further enacted That The said con.
ycntion shall have power 70 elect is officers and
prescribe qualifications for is members, not ncon
sistent with the true intent of this act
SEc. 2. BE Il further enacted That The said con
ycntion shall have The power 10 consider al gficy
anccs affecting North Carolina, IS member Of n,
Confedcracy according 20 the true intent and mean
ing 81 lhs act the assent or dissent Of The people
Ia, The propositions herein contained being rCspcc
. lively expressed by the votes, Convention d
c HNo Convention al the time and Ia the mod
: therein before provided.
srr 10. Bc Il further enacted, That no ordi
!. nance az said Convention shall have any force o
\ validity until Il shall have been ratified by q ma
! iority Of the qualified voters for members Of th
I. General Assembly,, 10 whom i shall be submitte'
. according 20 dc mode prescribed for elections
: members 10 the House Of Commons, The assent Q
dissent of the people hereto being oppressed a. /
!. preceding sections Of this act
h $50 IL Do Il further enacted Thai % 'issyst