The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-08
BUSINESS BEFORE the LEGISLATURE.


We have received (by courtesy of Mr. Cantwell,
Clerk OF the House. several documents ordered
to be printed by the Legislature which we pro-
pose to notice briefly, as we may find time and
room, for the information of our readers
County Revemue-Bll to amend sec. l, CHI %,
Rev. Code; introduced by Mr. Bledsoe. Makes it
as follows "The justices of the several county
courts majority being present, at their first court
which shall happen after the first day of January
IN every year, shall, for county purposes lay tax
on all such persons and property as are taxed by
the General Assembly for State purposes" The
existing section authorizes tax only upon real
estate and polls.
Free Negroes.-Bill to bind them out intro
duced by Mr. Street of Craven. County Courts to
bind all between 5 and q years of age to service
until As years of age; vests in MASTER mistress,
next of kin all rights, duties &c, of slave owners,
but no apprentice to be sold under execution for
debt; not more than two to be bound to any one
person; children of female apprentices to be ap-
prentices until As; none to be bound to slave
owners, to other than to fixed residents of the
county of good moral character; County Courts to
provide for support of apprentices unable to sup
port themselves at expiration of apprenticeship, by
taxing parties adopting this apprentice system.
Bill to permit them to become slaves; introduced
by Mr. Humphrey of Onsow. All more than IA
years OF age may choose a master; to that end
must sign petition to tie County Court, IN
presence of at least two subscribing witnesses :;
petition to be posted at courthouse door for 4
weeks, and petitioner, proposed master, md wit
nesses, to appear at next term and be separately
examined by the court in presence o. County
Solicitor; the court, satisfied that there j no fraud
Or collision, that the proposed master 5 of good
repute and that there is good reason for refusing
the petition, may grant it, and from 'ntry of its
decree the petitioner shall become a shve, exempt
only from forced sales for masters debts prior to
enslavenent Children under IA t be enslaved
with the mother if she so desires; or in case of
orphanage, at request of their next friend. County
Solicitor to have SO for each examination all
costs to be paid by master; no proceedings to be
had under any law prohibiting free negroes from
remaining in or coming to thi, State, against
petitioner during tendency Of petition.
Superior Courts-Bill to divide the State into
eight circuits; introduced by MIR Love of Hay
wood. Forms the 9Th circuit from the 9th and
7th, taking from them Cherokee, Macon, jackson,
Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Buncombe, Madison
and Yancey. Provides for tax of 81 each
suit and parte proceeding in addition to present
tax, and 81 on all prosecutions, to be paid into
public fund.
Bill to increase Judges salaries; introduced by
Mr. Burton OF Cleveland. Requires in addition to
present salary, that each county pay the Judge
who may hold its Court $50 counties may tax
writs and bills of indictment not less than 81
more than So each to be paid by the party cast in
the suit, for raising the amount
Special Magistrates-Bill to authorize their
appointment in every county; introduced by Mr.
Wooten of Lenoir. County Courts may appoint
one for any Tax District whose business may re-
quire it; to hold office year; to set apart GER
tain day for trial Of such causes (cognlzable by a
single magstrate) as may be returned before him
the court II Justices present. to regulate his fees
not exceeding 10 cents for each warrant subpoena,
execution, appeal, certified affidavit; rs cts for
each judgment State warrant; for executing
commission to take dispositions So and 81 for each
witness more than examined by virtue of said
commission for other services, such sums as may
be just and right
Bank of ThomdsUiUe. Bill for its incorpora-
ton introduced by Mr. Thomas of Davidson
Capital 100000; shares $50; one-ffth of each
subscription to be paid in specie at the time the
remainder in instalments during 10 months; to be
organized when $4,000 are subscribed and $685.
900 paid in no issues less than S., and none of
larger denomination except $40 or its multiple
stockholders liable for double their stock; tax Is
cts. per share, which may be increased to 50'cts.
Relief Of the People-Stay law; introduced by
ments in any Court of Record Sufficient security
given to be stayed months for sums of 500 and
upwards and less than 5000; Is months for sums
more than S200.-FdyetteUiUe Observer.