The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-12-13
N. G. LEGISLATURE.
Monday, December 5.

On a motion to inquire into the operation
of the Treasury, far as to investigate TIT
reason of the non-payment Of $1,000 for reg
istered bonds, and the advancement of S4OO, 900 tt
the North Carolina and Atlantic Railroad, on ;
mortgage, which mortgage does not appear OF re
cord, Mr. Courts, of Rockingham, proceeded a
some length to defend himself from what he deemed
the insinuated charges Of the motion, stating hi
freedom from any just charges of the nature, invl
ting investigation, and declaring his own and hi
sureties responsibility Tor any deficiency that nigh
on inspection be found.
Dir Miller Of Cleaveland, introduced bill tc
incorporate the Winston and Broad River Railroad
HoUsE-Mr Waugh, of Surry, introduced the
following resolutions, which were ordered to bt
printed and made the special order forW ednesday
Whereas, the freedom and independence of the
press, as guaranteed by the Constitution OF the
Confederate States, which says that Congress shall
pass no law to abridge its freedom or independence
and also shall pass no law respecting an establish
ment of religion or protecting tree exercise there
6 and
Whereas, Congress has no right to conscript
State officers or to destroy the power Of the State
by making its existence depend detailing its
officials, this General Assembly, regarding the un-
trameled discharge Of the duties Of the officers OF
the State as essential to the preservation OF Its
sovereignty;
Resolved, first That our Senators be requested,
and our Representatives instructed to vote tof no
laws abridgiug the freedom and independence OF
the press, which will interfere with MiDisters OF
the Gospel in the full and free discharge of their
duties, or any law which will place in the hands
of the President the officers of the State.
Resolved, secondly, That this General Assem-
bly,, regarding all such laws as in violation Of both
the State and Confederate Constitutions enter their
solemn protest against the passage OF such laws as
calculated to destroy not only the power OF the
States but their separate organization aud soVer-
eighty, ADD reducing them to absolute dependence
on the favor OF the Confederate Government for
their very existence
Resolved, thirdly, That copy of these resou-
tons be furnished to our Senators and Representa-
tives, with the desire that they will give to the
subjects mentioned in them their earnest and im-
mediate attention.
The bill 10 reference to the suppression Of the
c. S. Disllery at Salisbury, N C., passed its third
reading
The Committee on the Deaf, Dumb and The
Blind Asy lum, submitted the report of the Super
intendent of the Institution, which states that
appropriation of $3.50 600 per annum was neces
eary to the annual support of said Institute.
a message was received from His Excellency,
the Governor stating the expenses of executing
the Conscrpt laws, of arrestng deserters, and sup
to be- fer the year 1864, S24l 94O.S5. not inclu-
ding the amount spent for the Home Guard west
of the Blue Ridge.
The BIZ appropriatiug $780, 900 for the transfer
of the State Salt Works from Wilmington to Lock
woods Folly Inlet, and to cou6rm contract for
Salt with Stuart, Buchanan l. Co., passed its Sc
cond reading, and under suspension of the rules,
was read third time and passed.
Tuesday, December 6.
SZNArE.-A few private bills were introduced
and no business being ready for transaction, the
Senate shortly after meeting adjourned.
HoUsE-A bill to repeal so much of an act pro-
vidiug for the appointment of tax collectors in
divers counties, as relates to Mecklenburg county,
being before the House on its third reading, MIR
Grier moved it be laid on the table. Not agreed
to-yeas 10, nays 40.
Mr. Dargan, of Anson, moved to so amend the
bill as to extend the proposed repeal to Arson
county. Agreed to- aud the bill, as amended,
passed ..1
The Home Guard Blu.
The bill amendatory of the act for the regulation
of the Militia and for Home defence, being before
the House, Mr. Phillips, of Orange, moved to fur
Their amend by inserting therein, '.public tanners
aud shoemakers" Agreed to-yeas IS, nays "a .
Mr. Galloway, of Wilkes, wished to know if that
provision OF the bill cxempting the head of fam
lily of six children, covered the case of man Who
should marry widow with that number. (Laugh-
tcr) If so, he was opposed to the enactment as
unduly' favoring the widows, leaving the young
girls in the after part of the ship. (Rene,ced
Laughter And if passed the like of widows,
with six children, that would marry, would never.
have been seen, and he was opposed to it. (Laugh-
ter)
Mr. Costner, of Lincoln, introduced proviso,
requiring that tanners and shoemakers seeking
exemption uoder the act, should produce the GER
shcate of three respectable, disuerested persons,
that they were publicly so employed, and agree to
sell or barter half the products of their labors to
citizens at schedule prices. Agreed to by vote
of So to So
Mr. Mccormick, of Hsrnett, moved to amend
further by saying all regular physicians Agreed
TO, and The bill passed its third reading
The Subject Of lnpressmcnh
The Special order (Mr Phillips resolutions in
regard to impressment by the Confederate Govern
ment} was then taken up follows:
Whereas, it is plain principle of justice that all
the expenses caused by the present war should be
borne by the various citizens in due proportion to
their property; and whereas, the prices occasioned
by the depreciation of the currency fairly to be
reckoned amongst such expenses; whereas, further,
t ia equally unjust aud unconstitutional for the
Confederate Government to appropriate the pro-
pery of private citizens without just compensation
10 the owners; Therefore,
Resolved, That this General Assembly, in the
name OF the good people of North Carolina, doth
'oemniy protest against the system now in force
throughout this State by which the Confederate
k1l>,. 4