The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-25
N. c. STATE CONVENTION.

MT Smith OF johnston introduced an ordinance
to amend the Constitution, as to provide for the
election of Judges by the people.
Mr. Arlington moved to take up his resolution
to allow volunteer soldiers Of this State SIS per
month, and it was taken up. Mr. Osborne said he
bad no objection to Increasing the pay of volun-
teers, but the Confederate government, which will
have to pay the soldiers, has fixed the price Mr.
Arlington was aware of that fact and intended by
his resolution to pledge the State to make up the
difference. The resolution was referred to the
committee on military affairs
On motion Of Mr. Badger his resolution that a
seat in Congress vacates seat in the Convention,
was taken up and put on its passage Nh 3. de-
manded the yeas and nays, which being ordered,
resulted-yeas 90, nays Is.
The ordinance to raise seven regiments in the
eastern part of the State, for coast defence, was
reconsidered, and after a whole day discussion,
was rejected-yeas so, nays So
On Saturday, June 18th, Mr. Rayner, from the
committee on finance, reported favorably on the
resolution to allow Shcrifs the usual pay for hold
ing the election for delegates to this Convention.
The unfinished business being the reports con-
corning dissolution Of the Legislature, was then
taken up One report recommended that new
election be held in August and thus have new
Legislature to meet in Noven,ber-the other (the
majority report) recommends that the Legislature
be allowed to meet the 18th inst.
Mr. Headen addressed the Convention, taking
the position that the present General Assembly
vas competent to the election Of Senators, thus
disagreeing with the opinions advanced by each
branches of the committee.
Mr. Howard was in favor of the majority report
If this Convention dissolved the present Legsla-
ture and called it together again in regular session,
the Confederate government would have no right
to 90 behind this Convention to inquire into the
legality of the acts of such Legisla ure because
they would have the sanction Of the highest
authority in the State
Mr. Leake of Richmond, said that 80 far as North
Carolina was concerned, this Convention was
supreme but in relation to the Confederate govern
ment in things affecting that government, it is
secondary, ana subject to the Confederate States
Constitution. He Was in favor OF so amending
the Constitution as to provide for annual sessions
OF the General Assc mbly. He was opposed to
dissoving the present Legislature, it would have
tendency to excite party feeling.
Mr. Biggs suggested that as the principal differ
ences in proposed plans this subject involved
the dissolution, otherwise Of the present Legis-
lsture it would be better to take direct vote on
that question; and to effect this he Withdrew his
former amendment and offered an amendment to
the minority report by striking out the first reso-
luton, which declares the legislature dissolved.
Mr. Rufhn opposed to dissolving the present
Legislature, because they elected by the peo-
pie, and it would be impotic to interfere and set
aside their choice, and because new election would
stir up undesirable commotion. All objection may
&c removed by so altering the Constitution as to
provide for annual sessions, and making the next
meeting the first Of series Of annual sessions
Mr. Graham in favor Of i election not
from any disrespect to the present Legislature, but
from the necessity of the case
Mr. Long was in t4yor of electing new Legs-
lature.
Mr. Reid again advocated the majority report,
proposing to change the approaching speciSl into
a regular session of the Legislature.
Mr. Rayner said lie was embarrassed in deter
mining how he ought to act in this matter-were
he to consult his own views and feelings, he would
go for Gissolving the present General Assembly,
for the reason that he did not remember more
unfit body of members having ever convened in
the State-he meant disrcspect to the
members individually-but their acts would show
that they were totally unfit to legislate for the
State. But there is danger of stirring up party
feeling by holding election. He hoped the
last Legislature would never meet again-there is
necessity for it-this BODY re-district the
State and do all other acts demanded by the ext
gency of the times, except to elect Senators to
Congress, and he would prefer to 90 unrepresented
rather than have them come together to elect
Senators.
Mr. Meares defended the legislature lie said
it seemed to afford much pleasure to some to speak
Of 1t dlsparagingly, but if gentlemen would Look
at the amount of labor it performed they would
lie forced to the conclusion that, in point of prac-
teal ability it superior body to this Conven-
ton. That the Convention, NJ Il body had more ta1-
ent ard less brains than any legislative by he had
ever seen; that they made more speeches and did
less work than the Legislature as would he seen
by comparing the acts Of the bodies.
The amendment of Mr. Ellison ploros;ny to
annul the resolution of the last Legislature. under
which that body was TO convene on the 18th inst
and which had been adopted as an amendment to
the ordinance proposing TO abolish the Legislature
elect and TO provide for election, was put on
its third reading and was defeated BY decided
majority.
Subsequently, a resolution was adopted pro-
rogung the Legislature to the 18th of August:
On Monday the 18th, tie day was occupied by
discussing various questions, without taking final
action.
On Tuesday the 18th, members of Congress
were elected The following the proceedings
the election:
For the State at large, Mr. Biggs nominated " "
Avery, Mr. Ahe nominated Geo Davis, Mr. Merritt
mated Hon Brown, and Mr. Headen nominated Henry
Miller. Vote: Avery 81 Davis So Brown Al, Miller
a. Avery and Davis elected
For the first District Mr. Pettigrew nominated "
Smith, others were nominated but declined. Vote
n II Smith rs, r II Smith 20. scattering {.
For the second district, Mr. Thompson nominated
Hon Thos Rufhn Mr. Foy nom mated George Green and
Mr. Washington nominated VIM Rodman. Vote
KUHN So, Green 46, Rodnan 1. Rufin elected
For the third district, Mr MoSeIy nominated Thos
Mcdowell, Mr. Mcneil nominated Walter Leak Vote: