Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-23
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 a
lecture before that body. Concurred in.
Mr.. Waddell introduced resolution relative to a
notice published in the city papers from Robert E.
Walker, Provost Marshal, requiring the citizens Of
Raleigh and all other persons to procure passes be-
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 exemption for members
of the Legislature. He did not think that they
should be exempt while other citizens of the State
were held subject to the order
Mr. Foy said he hoped the resolution would pass.
He 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 Inconvenience by it He could see no
necessity for it here and as be thought it 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 derived to establish this Provost
Marshal passport system.
Mr.. Waddell said that during the carly part of
this session, that one of his colleagues had been
arrested by guard acting under the orders of the
same Mr.. r. E Walker that ha6 Just issued this
card. lie then had called the attention of the House
to the matter, and an investigation being had,
suited IN an apology to the House for the ndignity
II would have been an easy matter for this Lieut..
Walker to have excepted the members Of the Leg
iSlature 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 him-coud not
say that 1t did; hut it clearly subject to such
construction. lie therefore hoped that the resolu-
ton would pass
Mr.. Fowle proposed the following as substitute:
hsaOL0edI That select committee of five be appointed
TO inquire into The power under which Lieut.. K. Walk
err calling himself Provost Marshal requires oil citizens
obtain before they leave the city Of Raleigh and
report by bill OF otherwise
Mr.. Fowle thought that the time had come, when
we should inquire whether martial law can be de-
clared elsewhere than in the vicinity Of the enemy,
without some cause existing to require it, or at
least some reason assigned therefor He wanted to
reach it by principle This officers notice gave no
authority for his action. If his memory was not at
fault the Confederate Congress had granted this
power at one time, but he thought the limitation
had expired, and that extension of the time had
been proposed in Congress, but had not yet been
concurred in by that body He hoped therefore as
his substitute was more comprehensive that his
friend from Chatham, (Mr. WaddelD would ac-
cept it.
Mr.. Waddell said that he preferred his resolution.
Mr.. Fowle said he wanted to ascertain if the pow
or bad been properly given, and if in accordance
with law. If it had been, as much he might
doubt the propriety of the course he was for sub
hitting to 1t.