Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-12-27

Much experience in connection with le.
gislative bodies, has demonstrated to us
that industry, and close attention toduty is
as essential to the good legislator as ability
To acquire and retain the moral influence
necessary to be useful representatives OF the
people, the legislator must not only press
his measures at the proper time, but must
exhibit thorough knowledge of the merits
of the proposition and show an honest de-
sire to have it receive the attention of the
body. His own earnestness and interest
will always compel the respectful consider
alton of others. In this respect, also, New
hanover is most fortunate in her represen
tatives. No bill in which she has direct
interest has been permitted to lie neglect
ed upon the clerks desks, while those from
other portions ofthe State were being press
ed forward; at the same time her delegation
has conceded and given to all parts of the
State the consideration due the important
measures which have been brought before
the Legislature. In fact nearly Ill Of the
leading bills which have claimed the atten-
ton and consideration of that body, i'll
either House, the friends of the measures
have sought, and with one exception re-
ceived, the support Of our members. This
single exception being the bill to aid the
Cheraw and CoaliieIds Railroad. Col Hall
opposed this measure with great force, but
with much reluctance, and SO fully were the
Senate convinced Of the correctness Of his
views, that the bid received the support Of
but nine Senators upon its passage, and
those mostly from local Influences.
In this reference to the New Hanover
delegation, We do not desire TO be under
stood as detracting from the merits Of re-
representatives. from other counties. We be
iege we are prepared to show That North
Carolina has never been blessed with d
better General Assembly and few as good.
For the first time since the extinction of
the old political parties, we believe, their
influence has had nothing to do with the
or legislation Of the General
Assembly. It's Speakers and other officers
were selected from both the old parties, and
in no one instance did this form que 5tion
in the selection. There are few, a very
few OF the members who do not sympa-
thize with the State in this hour of distress
and darkness, but are plotting with her en-
emies to insure her utter and entire destruc-
ton, who are properly estimated and have
no influence whatever. Devotion to North
Carolina, obedience to and respect for the
laws of the country, and restoration upon
honorable and equal terms, are the only
controlling princi pies of the body; while an
earnest and honest effort to recuperate the
wasted energies of the people, to relieve
their sutferings, and develop the vast re-
sources Of the State, has characterized the
proceedings thus far.
We shall, from time TO time, during the
recess i'll abiding to measures before the
Legislature or already acted upon, take oc-
casion to call the attention of neighboring
to the services of meritori-
Gus representatives. Want of proper re-
porters, and the limited space devoted to
Legislative proceedings by the papers, give
very imperfect and unjust accounts of the
labors of representatives, which should be
supplied as far as possible by those who
have been witnesses Of the proceedings
We have long been convinced that the sys-
tenn OF reporting, adopted by Congress,
would be beneficial and economical for the
States. Much useless discussion and le-
gislation would be omitted ii reported in
full, and tx people would have the oppor-
tunity of rewarding the meritorious repre-
sentative and furnishing the frivolous and
indolent. If the interests Of certain COM
munities suffered for the want of proper
and efficient Representatives, the fault would
he their own, and the people would be
freed from professions Of dcmagogues 10y
results with promises. How
too, would be the history of the
States, as embraced III the proceedings of
heir General Assemblies.