Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-25

The following is the bill introduced in the House
Of Commons on Friday last, by Mr.. Smith, provid.
ing for calling Convention Of 9Hs'r ps8ple of this
State:-
A Bill to call q Convention of the People.
WHEREAS, In the judgement Of this General As,
sembly, the present condition of the country de.
mands that the sovereign people Of this State
should assemble in Convention to effect if possible
an honorable termination of the present war And
whereas, on matters of sush grave import this
General Assembly, is reluctant to adopt any policy
without first ascertaining the sense Of the people,
ia whom ill sovereignty resides:
SECTION l. Be it enacted by the General Assem-.
lily Of Tie State of North Carolina and it is hereby
enaeted BY the authority of the same, That upon
the passage Of this act the Governor of the State
be and be is hereby required to issue proclama-
ton ossaaanding the shers Of the respective coun.
ties IN the State to open the polls at the several
precacts in said counties, on 18th day Of February
A. b. 1866, where and when all persons qualified
to vote for members of the General Assembly may
vste for or against State Convention, those who
wish Convention, voting with written or print
ed ticket Convention" and those who do not wish
Csnseation, voting in the same way mo Conven.
ton also to open separate polls at the said time
and places for the election of delegates to tho Con-
Ventiea to be assembled such times as are here
mater provided said polls to be superintended BY
inspectors appointed by the Sheriff, with the advice
%. three justices of the Peace Of the respective
visions Of section 6, chaper 81 of Revised Code.
SEC 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be
the duty Of the Sheriff. to make out duplicate state.
nents Of their polls in their respective counties on
the question Of Convention and no Convention
Sworn to before the clerk of the County Court one
cspy Of which shall be deposited in said clerks
Office and the other copy transmitted to the Gov
eror of the State at Raleigh under the same rules
and regulations and under tho same penalties as are
prescribed in the case of the returns Of the vote
sor electors Of President and Vice President of the
Confederate States, as are now prescribed by law
Immediately after said election.
SEC. 3. BE 1t further enacted, That it shall be
the duty OF the Governor, as soon as he shall have
received the returns Of the Sheriff. in the presence
Of the Secretary of State, Public Treasurer and
Comptroller, to compare the number of votes cast
tor and against convention; and if it shall appear
that majority Of the votes polled are in favor of
convention, he shall forthwith issue proclamation
in such manner Is he may think proper, summon
ing the delegates elected to said convention IS aore
said to convene liz Raleigh, on the End Monday in
March A. D. 1866, and if = majority Of the votes
polled are against convention the Governor shall
in like manner issue proclamation of that fact
and in that case the assembling of the said delegates
eected as aforesaid under this act is hereby decar
ef! to be illegal and of no effect
SEC 4. Be 1t further enacted, That the election
for de egates aforesaid shall be held and conduct
ed in the same manner as elections for members of
the G neral Assembly, and the vote shall be count
ed and the scrolls compared and certificates issued
in TIE same manner as prescribed by law for men,
bers of the House of Commons
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That ifa vacancy
Shall occur by death, resignation or removal from
the State by the refusal to serve of any person
elected delegate as aforesaid the presiding officer
of the Convention shall issue his writ to the sheriff
It the county ip which such vacancy may have oc-
cured, after such notice as the Convention may
order, to open poll to fill such vacancy, under the
same rules and regulations hereinbefors prescrb.
ed for the election Of delegates.
Sec. 6. Be 1t further enacted, That the said Con-
vention shall consist Of one hundred and twenty
delegates, and each county shall be entitled to the
same number of delegates as members of the House
of Commons under the last superintendent
SEC. Z. Be it further enacted, That this act shall
be in force from and after its ratification.