Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-02-19

our Coast defence, agreed to on yesterday. Which
was agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Warren, leave of ABSENCE was
granted to Mr.. Meares ~ e l.
On motion of Mr.. Lopg, lesve Of absence for
few days, was granted to Mr. Page, Principal Door
keeper
And then, on motion ofsMr Michal, the Conaven- :
ton adjourned. &c.,
SATURDAY, Feb. Is, 1869.
The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock
Mr.. Graham in the Chair
= Prayer by the Rev. Frederic Fitzgerald of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. s
The journal of yesterday was read and approved.
= leave Of absence vas granted IN Messrs Moseiey
and Bunting of Sampson, Holnles of New Hanover,
Williams Of Franklin, and Washington Of Lenoir.
Mr.. Strange laid before the Convention commu-
ncation from the committee Of safety of the town Of
Wilmington, requesting the Convention to authorize
the raising OF one or more companies Of artillery to
serve at the batteries on the Cape Fear, below the
town Of Wilmington.
This was laid on the table, on motion of Mr.
Strange, who then introduced resolution authoriz-
ing the Governor to raise three companies Of art
lery to serve for twelve months three years or dur
ing the war, unless sooner discharged, for the plr
pose indicated by the communication.
The rule was suspended and the resolution was
amended on motion of Mr. Ruf!n, by providing
that the Governor shall tender and transfer the
companies to the Confederate government as soon
as raised -.s--. 81,
Mr. Gorrell offered an amendment which, after
some discussion was withdrawn.
The resolution was then adopted.
Mr. Mebane introduced a resolution in relation to
defects of the Revenue Law. Instruets the com
mittee on finance to enquire concerning the tax i'm
,tnl
sion of the rule.
Mr.. Berry, an ordinance to prohibit for a limited
time the Manufacture Of spirtuous liquors from
grain. ....,- .,.l-
Mr. Micha, an ordinance to restrict the distla.
ton Of grain and to raise revenue
| Mr.. Schenck, an ordinance fer the suppression of
distillaton. These ordinances passed their first
reading and lie The latter Oh motion Of Mr.
Schenck was made the special order for II o'clock
| on Monday next.
| On motion of Mr.. Satterthwaite, the Convention
now proceeded to consider the ordinance to provide
for the assumption and collection (by the State) Of
the Confederate States tax on its second read
ing.
The ordinance provides for the issue Of Treasury
notes to the aggregate amount of the tax. payable
at the Treasury in five years, and convertible into
| State bonds bearing interest at the rate Of per
| cent per annum.
| Mr.. Satterthwalte made the following remarks in
support Of the ordinance:
! Mr. PaEslDEsr:-I ask the consent Of tho House
| to take up and consider now, the ordinance which
had the honor to submit few days ago. assuming
| on behalf Of the State. the Confederate war tax.
do not propose myself to discuss the measure at
| any length nor do | suppose that much discussion
! will be had upon it. 1t is subject which has been
| oEg time before the committee and one to which
they have given fail consideration; and although
there at first some division of sentiment among
| the members Of the committee, the recent invasion
! bY the enemy of the wealthy Albenar,e region of
the State--he necessity which has forced so many
Of fellow citizens in that region to abandon their
homes and property, and the prospect, nay, almost
Certainty, that there will be such large sacrifice of
property and the certainty that there will be such
an additional amount OF taxes levied upon our
people, far beyond anythi 6 which few days ago
We could have Anticipated removed all objections
from the minds of the committee and they unani.
mously recommended the adoption Of the ordinance.
suppose, Mr.. President, that every member of this
body noc has his mind made up upon the subject
have, myself, been in favor Of the measure from
the first, but more firmly convinced than
ever Of the propriety and necessity of the law Our
people arc already sir burdcned with amount Of
taxes to be paid next summer, which will require
al their resources aid energies to meet. Their pa
triotism know sir, is unboundei. Whatever may
be necessary in the way of self denial and sacrifice
the people are ready and willing to make; but sir
when we contemplate the fact that our commerce is
cut of, We cannot sell cotton, OF tobacco, or
naval stores at all it is all much dead capital on
our hands-our friends in the eastern portion, with
their sranaries burdened with gram which they
cannot dispose Of There being means of trans
porting it to where it is wanteD viii either be COIN
PEELED to ALLOW It to rot, destroy it to keep It
from falling into the hands Of the enemy,-and
when we Enou that there has already been, and
must continue to be, such large additional number
of our people drawn from their daily avocations,
and placed in camps aud barracks, all Of whom have
to be supported, and their families protected and
provided for, does any gentleman here suppose for
q moment that people can with promptnass
meet the requirements of tho Confederate tax COL
lector in the month Of May.
Sir we know that that officer has no discretion,
if the tax is not paid at the time, and in the man
ner required. His property will be exposed to sale
and bid off by the agent for the government do
not wish to witness any such scene as will be then
presented 1t can be prevented by the interposi.
tim of this Convention. We can assume the pay
ment Of said war tax, and we can and mast provide
: the means regard it one Of the highest du-
ties now resting upon u.s. believe TO pass this or
dinance will give confidence and encouragement to
onr neop,e They will see and feel that their rep
resentatlves here, doing all in their power to
tighten their present burdens, and it will inspire
them with renewed energy They will volunteer
with greater alacrty their hearts and spirits will
be buoyed up, and their arms neryed with renewed
:, v,eor for the conflict before us.
, Sir, Alabama, South-Carolna, Tennessee and
Virginia and believe other States, have assumed
the payment Of said tax, and thus afforded present
!; relief to their people; and am sure their cond'-
: ton is no worse than ours. Why, then, shall We
hesitate upon such an important question? Let US
mass the ordinance to day. Now, if it is to pass
there is not an hour to lose. The banks in Vir
gina have MOLLY offered to furnish the Treasurer Of
that State with the Confederate notes to make sad
= payment Who can doubt that our banks will be
equally patriotic? Sir, so far in our struggle GU,
banks have acted noby; they feel and know thai
bank corporations and people are all in one com
!. mon ship and If one goes down, all must 90 to