The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-01
GOV. HOLDEN.
Us Lo6ors md his Services.

complished in that time, it may be prudent and
proper to state some ofthe acts and deeds that
have taken place since his administration be-
gan.
The State owned large amount Of cotton
and turpentine, and smal amounts Of other chat
tel property, some mules Wagons, cotton yarn,
cotton cloth, and such articles. Such Of this
property as had not been seized by the agents
Of the National Government previous to Gov
ernor Holdens appointment to office, has been
restored to the State government. 1t is not yet
known what the value of. this property will be,
butfWhatever it is, it will De clear gain to the
State. For a certainty, i will be sufficient to
pay the expenses OF the Convention and the
session of the Legislature that must follow it.
q Over FIVE hundred petitions for pardons have
been received examined, in1orsed, and forward
ed to Washington City for the approval Of the
President. Many of these we're very lengthy,
embracing all the exceptions in the Presidents
Proclamation, requiring attentive perusal and
demanding time and deliberation No subject
coming before the Executive requires more in
vestigation and more unremitting labor and
judgment.
All except few of the North Carolina sol
diers and prisoners have been released and fur
nshed with transportation to their homes,
where they are again useful and happy citizens.
All these soldiers have been restored to all the
rights of peaceable citizens, and no privilege is
eenied them, because they were soldiers. If
any service rendered in official capacity can
give an officer pride and satisfaction, it must be
such an act as this. There are few North
Carolina officers ana soldiers yet confined in pri-
son; their release has been urged upon the Ma
tonal Executive with all assurances in their be-
oil IT SC nd hot
shey will soon be released and restored to their
anxious families and friends.
More than two-thrds of the National troops
4uartered in North Carolina have been released
and finally discharged and permitted to return
70 their homes The citizens OF the State are
50 quiet, so peaceable, and so united, that the
Governor is permitted 70 indulge the hope, that
even the small remainder of troops in the State
may prove not to be needed here, and may soon
De released and return to their homes to remain
forever.
Justices Of the Peace have been appointed
tor eighty five counties, with powers to organ
ize the county courts, and to do all official acts,
eognizant by such courts before the war, except
the trial OF Jury cases aud the collection OF
debts. The elect sheritfs, constables, county
court clerks, Trustees, Wardens Of the Poor,
overseers Of roads, grant the probate of wills,
Issue the letters of administration and bind over
or imprison offenders against the peace.
a County Police have been appointed and or
gained in about as many countless consisting Of
one or more companies in each county. The
duties Of this police is to act in obedience to the
orders of the Justices Of the county. They are
to aid and assist the County Courts in main
tanning and inforcing peace, order, and quiet.
They are the executive officers of the County
Courts to preserve law and order in every por-
tieD Of the county.
Mayors and Commissioners have been appoint
ed for about forty cities and towns in the State
and the military have withdrawn from them,
anG turned over to the Mayor and Commission
ers the government and administration of the
cities and towns.
Thus it will be seen that counting the Mag
sstrates and the county officers appointed by
them, the County Police, and the Mayors and
Commissioners of the cities and towns, and the
officers appointed by them, that there are in the
State between ten and twelve thousand men,
who are the sworn officers Of the civil govern
neut Of North Carolina. That they are scatter
ed throughout the State, some living in every
neIghborhood. That these men have been SCI
4ected for their loyalty and their efficiency, and
have been sworn to do their duty as agents and
officers of the civil law 4
That representatives have been appointed to
attend to the interest of the State in all the
Rail Roads, Canals, Banks, Asylumns, and
other corporations in which the State owns
stock.
That many Post Masters, Mail Agents, Mail
Contractors, Notaries Public and other local
agents have been recommended and appointed.
That thousands Of grievances and complaints
for rations, for horses and other property lost.
and taken, have been heard and acted upon
with promptness and with the utmost kindness.
1t must be remembered that this labor has
been performed with the most imperfect mail