The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-25
N. @. coNvENrIoN

The Convention has agreed to adjourn from the 25th
to-day until the third Monday in April.
The following letter gives insight as to the ac-
ton of the Convent ton last week:
RALEIGH, Feb. 2fst 1862
The Convention in dragging its slow length along
viz the Ordinance raise North Carena's quota of
troops for the war, and Ordinance suppress the
distllaton of grain into spurious liquors Whether
these Ordinances viii the purposes designed
remains to be seen, but they the best that could
got through the Convention. The last named Ordi-
nance called the Liquor Ordinance, provides as fol-
lows The dstiller shall pay tax of thirty cents per
gallon on all liquors distilled after the ratification of
the Ordinance until the 18th of April next after which
time 1t declares it misdemeanor for any one to en-
gage In distilation. The penalty for each offence
being fine of not less than $780, and imprisonment
not less than thirty days. Also of dollar per
CANON Is levied Oh all liquors brought into the State
0y the seller, or, it nonresident, by the purchaser
This ordinance to remain in force until the first of
January next, subject to be re-enacted repealed or
modlhed by the ensuing Legislature.
The vexed question of Finance will be taken up to-
morrow After that is disposed o., / think the Con-
ventlon should adjourn die the present is no
time to take up Constitutional amendments although
there is party in the Convention, headed oy Graham
Badger and others, insisting upon such measures"
The first fonr days of last week were occupied with
the consideration of the military and distery ord-
While the dstillery question was under con-
sideration, Judge Osborne made some remarks which
are reported as follows in the State Journal:
"Judge Osborne took it for granted the Convention
had determined to act this question. Caution and
prudence were necessary Before the commencement
OF the of citizens were engaged in dis
filling means of living. By the blockade we were
cut off from al markets where most of our medicines
had hitherto been purchased Liquor was needed for
many purposes. Medical require it. twas more
necessary now than at former times. Every family and
every plantation needs more than formerly The Con-
Venton ongh to take large views of this question To
more liquor should be distilled would be great
invasion of private rights. He had ordinance
as yet calculated to meet the exgencies of the case
He was willing to tax imposed. but would feel re-
luctant to vote for an entire prohibition"
Rather strange argument in favor of distilleries
The probability is the people will need bread during
the war more than they will whiskey for medicine We
gratifed to know that majority of the convention
did not agree with Judge Osborne
Mr. Schenck of Lincoln, said he gave his hearty as
sent to the provisions of the prohibition ordinance
it was defective in point, it allowed long time
for the destruction Of grain He moved to amend by
striking out the 5h of April 1.-THE time fixed for pro-
hbitng distillation) and inserting the LIST of March
Unfortunately, Mr. Schenck's motion was not adopted
and the ordinance was passed prohibiting distation
from and after the 18th pri till the lsJanuary next
The military ordinance, passed, provides for pay
ing each volunteer bounty of $50. This, added to
the paid by the Confederate Government makes
500 bounty to volunteers.
An ordinance passed, motion of Mr. Schenck
to furnish food and lodging lat the expense of the
Sate to volunteers necessarily detained the differ
ent railroad connections in the State.