Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-01-28
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

WEDNESDAY. Jan. 81.
The House met pursuant to adjournment The
journal Of yesterday was read
Mr.. AIMS introduced a resolution granting the
use OF the Commons Hall this evening to the Young
Mems Christian Association, for the delivery Of
lecture before that body. Concurred in
Mr. Waddell introduced resolution relative to a
notice published in the city papers from Robert Z.
Walker, Provost Marshal requiring the citizens Of
Raleigh and all other persons procure passes he.
fore leaving the city, requesting the Governor to
procure from the Confederate government permits
for all members Of the General Assembly and the
officers OF the same TO pass and repass from and to
Raleigh or elsewhere within the Confederate lines,
without being subjected to the. order Of the said
Robert E. Walker, Provost Marshal
Mr.. PEBBLES opposed the resolution, and said he
was opposed to asking an exemption for members
Of the Legislature He did not think that they
should he exempt while other citizens of the State
were held subject to the order.
Mr.. Foy said he hoped the resolution would pass.
lie knew of no legal authority for this system of
requiring loyal citizens to procure passes before
they were allowed to pass. He had himself been
seriously inconvenienced by it. He could see no
necessity for it here and he thoughtit contrary
to the law and the rights of our people, he hoped
that the resolution would pass.
Mr. PEBBLES again addressed the House against
the resolutions.
Mr.. Foy interrupted Mr.. P to enquire whence
the authority was derived to establish this Provost
Marshal passport system.
Mr.. Waddell said that during the early .part of
this session, that one Of his colleagues had been
arrested by agpard acting under the orders of the
same NJ. r E. Walker that ha0 lust issued thu; s
card. He then had called the attention of the House
to the matter, and an investigation beng had, re-
suited in an apology to the House for the ndienity.
1t would have been an easy matter for this Lieut..
Walker to have excepted the members of the Leg.
slature from the effects of this order but It had
not been done 1t might be that it was an effort on
the part Of this officer to avenge himself for the
former action of this Legislature. He did not know
that any such motive influenced hiin-coud not
say that 1t did; hut it clearly subject to such
construction. lie therefore hoped that the rcsolu.
| ton would pass.
Mr. Fowle proposed the following as substitute:
Reso,red That select committee of five be appointed
70 inquire into the power under which Lieut. L. Walk
obtain passes before they leave the city Of Raleigh and to
| report BY bill or otherwise - =
Mr.. Fowle thought that the time had come, when
we should inquire whether martial law can be de-
cared elsewhere than in the vicinity of the enemy,
without some cause existing to require it, or al
least some reason assigned therefor He wanted "a
reach it by principle This officers notice gave no
authority for his action. II his memory was not Al
fault the Confederate Congress had granted this
power at one time, but be thought the Limitation
bad expired and that an extension Of the time had
been proposed in Congress, but had not yet been
concarred 10 by that body. He hoped therefore Al
his substitute was more comprehensive that bis
friend from Chatham, (Mr. WaddelD would &c
j cept it
Mr.. Naddeu said that he preferred his resolution
Mr., Fowle said be wanted to ascertain il the pow
er had been properly given, and if in accordance
with lawn If it had been, as much as he nigh,
doubt the propriety Of the course, be was for sub
uniting to it.