The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-02-17
N. G. LEGISLATURES.

theWs introduced a bill 60 prevent starvation and
the partial execution of the conscript law. This
bill exempts all farm laborers now at home and
all men over 35 years of age, until the States shall
have furnished their quota of troops. Referred
/ Mr. Murrill presented bill to change the time
appointed for the assembling of the Legislature
| to the I'd Monday in October.
The bill TO appropriate one million of dollars
for the relief of the families of INDECENT soldiers
| was then considered. Mr. Copeland offered a
substitute, appropriating an equal amount, and
providing for Its distribution on the basis of the
white population. Mr. Young thought the bill
passed at the last session amply sufficient for the
exigencies of the times, and if the appropriation
be made, it ought to be distributed by the several
county courts. Mr. Copeland advocated the
adoption of his substitute Mr. Murrill proposed
| an amendment to the effect that this fund should
be distributed in proportion to the number of
troops sent from each county.
Mr. Smith, of Macon, stated that he had been
informed by the Adjutant General, that it was
, utterly impracticable to ascertain the number of
troops sent from the several counties, Mr. MUIR
ril stated that if no such statistics existed it was
high time that they were compiled. Mr. Young
argued at length and forcibly in favor Of making
the county courts the disbursing body--that the
benefit of this appropriation should be reaped
only by those who were in needy circumstances.
Further discussion was participated in by Messrs
Ramsey, Graham, Sharpe, Carraway and others
The question was put upon Mr. Young amend
ment. Rejected-ayes Is, nays "a.
Mr. Yancey desired to say that he should vote
against the bill solely because he thought the
provisions of the present law ample upon this
point. Mr. Drake opposed the bill for the same
reason, though he was willing and anxious to do
all iu his power to provide for the families of
soldiers.
The bill then passed its third readng-ayes
30, nays Is.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Foy, as mem
Der of the Committee appointed to inquire into
the sale of State Bonds by the late Treasurer,
presented minority report. 1t gives lucid
statement of the entire subject, and entirely
exonerates the late Treasurer and late Paymaster
Lewis from any blame in connection with the
matter before the Committee. After some ex-
planation by Messrs. Foy, McAden, and Hen
derson, the majority and minority reports were
ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Shepherd, the bill to prevent
the spread of Small Pox was taken up, and
passed its several readings. [The bill appro-
pirates $50 600, under the direction of the Sur
geon General, to establish general system of
vaccination In the State.
A bill authorizing the N C. Powder Company
to erect dam, passed its several readings.
Mr. Grissom moved for joint select Committee
States Office Mr. Cobb opposed the motion as
unnecessary, and moved to lay the motion the
table. Mr. Mckay commented on the number of
new Clerks that had been appointed and stated
the salaries of all Public Officers had been in
creased considerably. He saw no reason for the
Committee, and spoke highly of the late Secretary
of State. Mr. Allison spoke in favor of the
motion and thought the office wanted regulation,
none of the papers were properly labelled with
IL. e kbao Ryo NJ Mp
was on the committee, and stated that as far he
had examined, the papers were properly labelled
and assorted. Mr. Cobb had examined large
number Of packages of papers and found every
thing properly arranged. He thought it. did not
require much labor to regulate the office. Mr.
Love had investigated the matter, and felt sure
that the inexperience of the present Secretary
was the cause of the difficulty. IF the former
Secretary had remained in Office, this trouble
would not have arisen.
THE CONFEDERATE NAvY.-Since the days of
Paul Jones there have been no achievements of a
single ship in naval warfare brilliant as those of
the Alabama. Capt Semmes has won for himself
and bis country imperishable lau-es. The Flori-
da, which has just put to sea under her gallant
commander, bids fair to rival the renown of the
Alabama. The Navy Department and the Con-
federate Congress ought TO devote their utmost
energies to putting ships afoat, and giving
an opportunity to gallant naval officers to dis
tnguish themselves ard render service to the Con-
federacy. The ocean is the only arena upon
which we carry on aggressive warfare against
the Yankees, and touch them in the vital spot of
both their pride and interests. The extreme
sitiveness manifested iii their commercial circles
to the operations ofa single ship, the Alabama,
shows US their weak spot, and we should strike at
it with all our power. With all the boasted prow-
ess of the Yankees upon the deep, We believe that
Confederte navy can be built up which will
make the sea as uncomfortable to them as the
shore, and drive their commerce-the source of
all their wealth-from the face of the ocear.
Brave GIRL.-The Richmond correspon-
de,t of the Charleston Mercury, has the follow |
ing:
Speaking of Vicksburg, give you an instance
of female hersism recorded in letter from
friend, who reached the "City of the Hills too
late TO take On active part in Its defence. He is
an officer of high character and andoubted veraei-
ty He says:
"I must tell you of feat performed by young
girl, as told me by one who saw it, on the day Of
the hardest fight. Her brother belonged to one
of the batteries, and hearing that he wounded,
she started out alone and on foot for the battle
field; and against the remonstrances of all who saw
her, walked along the line of entrenchmenfs and
across open field swept by murderous ERE of
mRsketry. grape and canister, as IT she had been
going TO church to show her new bonnet to the !