Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-06-14
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, n. c., JUNE 8, 1866.
observation-disclosures.

of the Convention published elsewhere, that an
amendment has been made to the Constitution OF
the State, creating the office OF Lleutenant-doV-
ernor, and the people, in August next, Will De
called upon to elect this officer, at the same time
and manner IN which they elect Governor.
We have not, heretofore made reference to this
matter although it has been under consideration
for several days in the ConventiOn-for we really
felt but little interest in the subject We regard
the creation of the Office rather an improve
ment than otherwise but we had gotten on SO
well under the old provision in this respect we
thought the whole matter of Constitutional amend
ment should have been postponed at least until
the people expressed desire to have alterations
made in the Constitution, and Convention was
called for that purpose under the ordinary and
legal forms.
As it creates little or no additional expense, and
will probably satisfy some of the many asplrants
for gubanatorial honors, possibly the convention
has done well in creating the office. The Lieut..
Governor Will receive the same pay as the Speaker
of the House of Commons, and only while the
Legislature is in session, the additional expense
will be the pay of one Senator, there being htty
Senators on the floor instead of forty mine, as is
now the
If our Convention does nothing worse than this,
we will have cause to congratulate ourselves that
the expenditure of eight hundred dollars day is
the only loss to the State but fear from 1nd1-
cations already thrown out, that the honor OF the
State will be surrendered, in order to get our
members elect seats IN Congress.
Agricultural Prospects of Eastern North Carolina
A friend who has just returned from business
visit to some of the Eastern counties Of the State,
has kindly furnished us with few items of inter-
est which we feel assured will prove interesting
to our readers:
In Gates Hartford and Chowan, which were
formerly large growing counties, it was found
that there was but little on hand, and
hardly sufficient planted to meet the home de-
mand. The planters were, however, attending al
most exclusively to the cultivation of cotton, with
favorable prospects of success. There is on hand
in these counties large quantities of bacon. The
Freedmans Bereau was managed with much salts
faction, especially in Hartford.
In Perqaimans and Pasquotank, corn was still
being cultivated as the chief staple of agriculture
In these counties, especially in the former, ne
gro labor was scarce. The wheatcrop in Perquim-
ans very good
In Washington and Tyrrell there was great
scarcity of negro lborers, but great activity and
determination was evinced by the white popula-
ton to engage in agricultural labors. Shingles
in large quantities and of a superior quality were
being made, in Washington especially. The town
of Plymouth was literally in ruins
In Hyde as many acres have been planted in
corn formerly and there exists at this time as
fattering prospects for as large crop as has eve
beenTased in this very productive county. There
is at the present time large supply of bacon on
hand. In this county there is no Bureau Organl-
zation and in consequence thereof, there exists
the most kindly good feeling between the whites
and blacks, and the freedmen laborlng with
great faithfulness and contentment.
In most of these counties much disposition was
exhibited to seek market in our city, but vessels
were very scarce and freights extremely high.
Our friend speaks in the most exhalted terms
of the energy and spirit of the people of that Sec
tion and the faithful and honest earnestness with
which they have accepted the situation and gone
to work to restore the crippled prosperity OF their
section and State. The noble efforts of these peo-
pie will go far to counteract the obstruction cast
in the way of reconciliation by the Reconstruction
Committee, and the Mechanics, Merchants, Agri-
cultursts and Professional of the entire South,
by their industry and attention to their various
duties and by an honest observance of the laws OF
the country, forming great and powerful Re
construction Committees, which will yet restore
the country to its former prosperity and glory
New Hanover County
At the request of Sheriff Bunting we, the ASS
sociate, paid visit to the County Jail in this city,
yesterday morning. 1t was at the hour when Mr..
Biddle, the efficient jailor, distributing food to
the prisoners On the second floor the cells were
well filed with freedmen, committed to prison
for every degree of offence and grade of crime,
from murder to larceny
On the third floor, the white prisoners, with q
few negroes but in different cells, were confined.
OF the whites there were eight, two of whom were
committed to Jail for horsestealing, and the others
for offences of lesser grade. The negro prisoners
were twenty-eight in number; one for murder
three for rape, one for DEMONSTRATING, twenty fol
larceny, and the remainder for unlmportant OF
fences.
The prisoners say that they are we'll fed anc
cared for, yet we could not but feel pity fol-
these poor creatures, although they the authors
of their own sufferings and degradation. We think
that their condition could and should be ameli
grated by affording them some protection from
the cold and dampness of the slab-stones which
form the floors and sides of the cells. But W.
learn this will be remedied as soon possible A
yet county taxes have been collected and thu
Sheriff is totally without funds, having alread,
advanced a considerable sum for the support o
the prisoners and other county purposes.
In this connection we desire to call attention t.
the act passed by the late Legislature to establish
work-houses. Certainly it is to interest tx
erect one at the earliest time the county finance