Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-02-22
RALEIGH, n. c., Feb. 10Th, 1866.

1C'N'
Although all the important matters are yet to
be acted upon, members are beginning to get
restless and already express desire to end the seS
sion. proposition has already been adopted Ill
the house. proposing to raise JOINT committee
upon the question of adjournment, but the senate
did not concur.
None of the bills reported by the commission on
freedmen have, yet been acted upon The revenue
and militia bills are unreported, and nothing has
vet been done in reference to the public debt anu
coupons now due, or in regard to the banks OF the
state. The bill giving the negro the night to teS-
tify, after having been debated in the committee
of the whole house for nearly two weeks, and IA
vorably reported upon, was referred to the judi
ciary committee, and is now Gu the calendar, with
a favorable report also from that committee
Notwithstanding this, many members regard 1t
doubtful as to its fate in that body. The general
impression, however, is that it will pass the COM
MONS while the chances in the senate are not so
good.
The revenue bill will be reported the last of this
or the first of next week. The bill will propose
to tax railroad passengers One-tenth of one cent
per mile, as new source of revenue.
Col Cowans bill to incorporate the inhabitants
of Wilmington, provides for city government,
TO be divided into four wards, follows: The
first to include that part of the city which is
north of the middle of Market street and east of
the middle of Third street The second, that part
which is north of the middle of Market street and
west of the middle of Third street The third that
part which is south of the middle of Market street
and west of the middle of Third street, and the
fourth that part which is south of the middle Of
Market street and east of the middle of Third
street. There shall be q Mayor and eight Alder
men, one-half of the Aldermen to be elected every
year-the elections to be held on the Thursday
after the third Monday in December. The Mayor
to hold Office for year. The salary of the
Mayor not to exceed s., 900.
The chief executive officer shall be the Marshal,
who shall be Chief of Police, head of the Fire De-
partment, and collector of the city taxes, with
power to appoint deputy to assist In collecting
taxes. The salary of the Marshal shall not exceed
50, 900, to be fixed 10y the board. The board may
appoint one or more assistant marshals and such
other police force as they may deem necessary
The marshal to give bond. The board to appoint
q clerk and treasurer, with salary not to exceed
81, 500. That as soon practicable after the rat
fcation of this act, and the giving of ten days no
tice, the sheriff of New Hanover shall hold cleo
ton for Mayor and two Alderman for each of the
four wards of the city; the sheriff to decide, by
lot, which one of two persons elected from each
of the wards shall hold office for the long and who
for the short term. At this first election, the
sheriff shall provide a box in which each voter
may vote for acceptance refusal" and
should there be majority OF votes with the wore
refusal thereon, then the act to be null and
void
This bill is now before the committee on corpo
rations, and will doubtless be reported favorably
uponin day ortwo, and the bill of course will pass
both branches without opposition. AS the bill
refers itself to the voters of the citizens of Viii
mington for ratification they will be called upon
at an early day to decide the important question
in reference to their corporation government. The
bill has been drawn with great care, and pro
vides fully for all contingencies likely to arise.