The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-15
N. LEGISLATURES.

granted to members. but as there had not been
quorum at any time, no business had been trans
acted.
Mr. Burton presented memorial from Chapel
Hendricks and others of Cleaveland county. Also
memorial from the citizens Of Cleaveland re-
lating to Federal affairs.
Mr. Avery, from the committee on the judiciary,
reported back several bills and resolutions relating
to slaves and free persons of color asking that said
committee be discharged from further considera-
tion of them
Mr. Walker introduced bill to incorporate the
State Educational Association. Also bill for the
relief of Davidson College.
Mr. Speaker appointed the following gentlemen
the Senate part Of the committee on slaves and
free persons: Messrs. Hall, Euro, Burton, More
head and Ptchford.
Mr. Thomas of Jackson introduced a series of
resolutions relating to Federal affairs, and pro-
ceeded to address the Senate at considerable
length He declared Mr. Lincoln to be usurper,
and insisted that the people of the United States
should not submit to his inauguration that ma
jority of the whole people of the Union had de-
clared that he was not their choice, and that he
was not the president elect, would he ever be
the president of this confederacy; that his election
was fraud and would prove tyrannical if sub
mitted to.
Mr. Turner introduced resolution calling upon
the Governor to inform the Senate whether he
had been asked for forces to take possession of any
of the forts in North Carolina; if so, by whom;
also, whether he knew of any movements: now on
foot to take possession of federal property within
the borders of this State. Mr. Avery moved to lay
the resolution on the table Mr. Turner de-
handed the yeas and nays. Those who voted in
the affirmative were Messrs. Avery, Burton,
Brown, Barringer Dickson, Eure, Fason Hall,
Harriss of f., Harris of c., Humphrey, Lane,
Pitchford, Shaw, Simpson, Street, Taylor of G.,
Taylor of B., Thomas Of D., Walker, Watson,
Waugh, Whitaker, Winstead -24; those who
voted in the negative Messrs. Arendell,
Blcdsoe, Blount Dockery, Dowd, Morehead, Ram
say Sharp, Slaughter, Spencer, Turner, Worth-l2.
HoUsE-Mr Folk introduced resolution
questing the committee the judiciary to enquire
into the propriety of the passage of act requr-
ing The chairman of the board Of common schools
in each county to take oath before entering on the
discharge Of his duties
Mr. Rogers introduced bill to charter the Chat
ham County Railroad Company from the Coal
fields to Raleigh. Mr. Potts, bill to charter the
St. Cathrine and Charlotte Railroad Company, in
Mecklenburg county. Mir Williamson, bill to
alter the jurisdiction Of the courts of the
State, and for the relief of the people Mr.
Hoke bill to alter the charter of the Western
Plank Road. Mr. Barringer, bill to prevent and
punish horse stealing. Mr. White, a bill to amend
sec l, chap. II, Revised Code entitled Bastardy.
MIR Hill, bill authorizing court of Oyer and
Terminer for Caswe county, to try all slaves con-
fined in the county Jail charged with rape and
other feonies. On motion of Mr. Hill, the rules
were suspended and the bill passed its second and
third readng-ordered to be engrossed and sent
to the Senate.
TUESDAY. January s.
SENATE.-Mr Walker introduced a bill to provide for
the establishment of institution for the education of
common school teachers. Mr. Stowe, a bill to amend
the act Incorporating the town OF LincOlntOn.
bill to prevent the emancipation of slaves by will
was read and passed its second reading.
HoUsE.-Mr PEBBLES introduced bill to alter the
of Office of sherfs: extends four years.
Mr. Cline, bill to prevent telling timber in Henrys and
Jacobs Fork in Catawba and Burke. Mr. Davis of
bill to incorporate the Hornets Nest
RiAemen
The bill appropriating $500 900 for armng the State
was taken up, and after several attempts amend it,
was passed by yeas 10, nays &C.
WEDNESDAY, January 9.
THE CONVENTION QUESTION.
SENATE.-The Senate went into Committee of the
Whole the convention bill.
Avery presented substitute for the bill reported
by the committee
Mr. Avery said that the bill reported bv the commit
tee required restricted convention, and that his bill
proposed to make it an open convention and required
two-thrds vote of the Assembly to call it; said that
General Assembly had power restrict the convention.
The substitute was read
Mr. Turner gave notice that he would, on Tomorrow,
or at future time move to amend the bill by CIV
ing the convention power to amend the constitution
of the State slaves that had hitherto been
taxed, property under the constitution
Mr. Brown said that when the bill was reported it
was thought that majority of the Legislature could
call convention but that he was of the opinion
that convention should be called without the
currence of twothrds of that body; that he could not
give his the proposition contained in the sub
sttute of the senator from Burke omit the oath;
that bad been the custom, and the Legislature had
right prescribe oath and to limit the power of a
because it the of that body
that there marked difference between a conven-
ton called by the Legislature and called by the
people Mr. T. did not belve in making the people the
servants of sort of conventions the convention if
called should be the of the people-should
feet their views and sentiments.
Mr. B. said that he hoped this Union would be pre-
served that he in favor of the Convention, he
had thought it auxiliary towards perpetuatng it
he in favor of making certain propositions to the
North and asking guarantees; when these refused,
said Mr. B., the South will in solid phalanx, ard
that Congress has right to settle this quesOn-that
the cry of hope hope for the Union constantly
coming TO from Congress. He believed that the agi-
tation now extant in the country brought about
mainly by the efforts of political aspirants-
Mr. Avery thought Mr. B. had proposed dictate to
the people. He sorry lose the of the gen.
teman this question: thought that the bill would
pass in some such shape proposed in his amendment
Saw hop" for the Union but in secession of every
Southern State and reconstruction of the govern
ment. He opposed delay this subject said that be-
fore the convention held perhaps every Southern
State with the exception of Maryland would be of
the Union, and that North Carolina wond be forced
out oy surrounding circumstances.
Mr. Brown said that Mr. Averys substitute to the bill
had prescribed rules for the Convention, viz: the time
OF meeting and the manner in which delegates to