Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-12-13

He was ordinarily indisposed to read or make such
explanations and was willing that the general tenor
of his conduct should alone rebut allegations to his
prejudice. He deemed it. however, both natural and
proper that in the present instance he should make
a statement of facts with view to removing even
temporary prejudice. ChcrgeS had heen made in
derogation Of his right 10 seat in the House Of
Commons. He held it matter Of personal honor
matter of conscience that he should hold his
seat in stricteSt compliance with the provision OF
the constitution. 1t had been alleged that at the
time Of election, ne held an office of trust and pro
fit under the State government, and that consequent
ly he had no right to his seat
Gov. Vance had suggested, in his message to the
last Legislature, the appointment IF 4 committee to
investigate the operations of the State in blockade
running etc. The Legislature, instead of appoint
ing committee Of their OwR body, had appointed
him commissioner to Investigate those matters
during vacation, and report to the succeeding Leg
islature Had the Legislature appointed commit
tee of Its own members to act in vacation, would
any one contend, he asked, that their seats would
have been vacated by such commission? The ap-
pointment Of committees by legislative bodies to sit
in vacation, were quite coSamsn, ADD such appoint
nents had never been regarded as "places o: trust
or pro6t;" otherwise their seats had been vacated
He did not. however, put his defence on that
ground. When elected he was eligible, for he had
not accepted that position, and before he took his
seat here he had discharged its duties and no long
er held it If any member of the body questioned his
right, he would only ask committee of investiga-
tion.
These remarks elected from Mr.. Shepherd the
opinion that Mr. Phillips clearly entitled to hold
his seat-an opinion based upon the facts that Mr.
P. had stated.
Mr.. GrsSom rose to question of personal pri-
vilege. He SAID, / am incorrectly reported in two
of the daily papers Of this city, having voted in
the election of Confederate States Senator yeSter
day for Hon. 7, S. Ashe. Not expecting ballot
so soon, was absent from the Hall at the time of
the election, on business for some of my constitu-
ents. Had been present, / should have voted as
had done in all the previous ballotings for Hon.
E. G. Reade, whose ability, patriotism and fidelity
enttle him to the confidence of the Conservative
party Of the country.
Mr.. Shepherd from the Committee on Finance,
reported resolution in relation to the expenses
incurred by the State in executing the various
script laws, which was adopted.
Mr. Caldwell, a resolution requesting our Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress to protest
against the imposition of a tax by Congress upon
Treasury notes issued by this State. Referred.
INTRODUCTION BILLS.
Mr. Harris, bill to incorporate Pedee Lodge,
No. 15O Ancient York Masons
Mr.. Vann. bill to provide for the holding of
Courts in the county Of Hertford.
Mr.. Faison, a bill to incorporate the La Place
High School,.
On motion of Mr.. Waugh, the House reconsider
ed the vote by which was rejected, on its second
reading, the bill to extend the time for perfectng
titles to lands heretofore entered. the DILL was
then referred to the committee on Cherokee Lands.
Leaves of absence granted MesSrS Davis,
Murphy, Patterson, Perkins, Shipp and Phillips.
The House proceeded to consider the unfinished
business, viz. Mr.. Fowle's resolutions in relation
to the suspension of the privilege of the writ OF hG
beas corpus.
Mr.. j. 81. Headen, being entitled to the floor,
proceeded to advocate the passage of the resolutions
Mr.. Headen said that a number of measures
had passed the Confederate Congress, which he
regarded as violations of the constitution, and
none of which could receive his endorsements
lie adverted to the enthusiasm of the people
at the commencement of the which had call
ed into being an army, composed exclusively
of volunteers, whose equal the woTld had never
seen. The people had sprung spontaneously to arms
with an alacTity unequalled in the annals of histo
ry and yet twelve months had hardly elapsed ere
Congress passed an act Of wholesale cOnScripton,
which he did not hesitate to characterize unconSt-
tutional and oppressive. 1t not only unneceSsa
~ bnt was alien to the genius of free peope-the
idea having been drawn from despotic governments
in Europe This measure was follow ed by others
equally unconstitutional-in fact every leading mecs
of the administration eVinced like disregard
of the sacred guarantees Of the constitution. An
act had been passed violating the plighicd faith of
the government to the fulfllment Of contracts with
its own people Though the act in question did not
wholly annul those contracts it was still repudia.
ton pro tanto.-He alluded with Indignation to the
studious defamation 0ftS State in certain quarters.
and paid high tribute to the gallantry Of SOL
diers and the loyalty of our people.
He proceeped to deprccate another suspension Of
the writ Of habeas corpus endorsed the resolutions
under discussion consisting of legal trusus, and
announced his unalterable opposition to a Suspen-
sion of the writ under any circumstances.
Dnpdjn ho Discussion fha hOur arTjvpd fnrt hn
execution of the joint order for comparing the votes
cast in the August election, for Governor. The
Senators assigned seats the left of the Chair
and the Clerks and Telers under the supervision of
the Speakers of the two Houses, proceeded to count
the votes.
Mr.. Patterson, one of the Tellers on the part of
the Senate subsequently submitted the following
report:
For Zebulon B. Vance, 57,873 votes.
"W w. Holden, 14,432
Majority for T. B. Vance, AZ, AL votes.
The Speaker of the Senate pursuanG to this re-
port declared z. B. Vance, Governor elect of the
State of North Carolina for two years from the lst
of January next.
The Senate returned to their chamber, and the
House adjourned until tomorrow morning 10
o'clock.
SENATE
SATURDAY December 10, 1864.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
On Propositions and GrSeUaRceS- ceS-AdVersely on
a memorial from citizens of Rutherford county in
regard to the distllation of grain. Favorably on
engrossed bill to prohibit the dStillation of spir-
itouS liquors.
On Military afairs-Reported bill to increase
the efficiency of the Home Guards, &c. Ordered to
be printed together with the bill reported yester-
day authorizing the Governor to send the Home