Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-06-07
STATE CONVENTION.
ADJOURNED SESSION.

FRIDAY June 1, 1866.
Mr.. Jones, of Davidson, presented a petition
from citizens of Davidson county relative to pros
ecutions for offences committed during the war,
which was read and referred to the committee on
State Amnesty
Mr. Dockery, for the committee raised to con-
slider the propriety and expediency of authorizing
q sale of the Western n. G.. Railroad, to any COM
pany that will guarantee to complete the same, re-
ported an ordinance authorizing such SALE Re
port and ordinance ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Jones, of Davidson, introduced resolution
to carry into effect the ordinance of the Conven-
ton recognizing the just debts of the State and
prohibiting the payment of all public debts in
Cured in aid of the rebellion.
Mr.. JONES' of Henderson, an ordinance &gali-
zing certain acts of the Courts of Pleas and Quar-
ter Sessions in certain counties. Referred to the
committee on Finance.
Mr. Moore, of Wake, ordinance in relation
to marriages between persons of color. Proposes
to repeal the provision requiring the Clerk to take
bond in such cases. Laid on the table, on mo-
ton of Mr. Ferebee, ayes A, nays 80.
Mr.. Jones, of Rowan, an ordinance to secure
better government for the Insane Asylum.
Mr.. Wright from the Committee on Finance,
reported unfavOrably on the ordinance to pay the
Provisional Judges for holding Courts of Oyer
and Terminer, also unfavorably on an ordinance
suspending the collection of taxes
AMENDED CONSTITUTION.
The Convention resumed the consideration of
the amended Constitution, and the question
of Wake, a substitute for the one offered by
Mebane to section article LIST of the Declaration
of Rights.
Mr.. Moore's amendment is as follows add to
the section the words
Provided nevertheless, that Courts may established
and held in cities and Incorporated towns and at the
Court Houses in which be tried without the inter-
venon of grand and petit ures, shall be prescribed by
law, all misdemeanors except such whereof the punish
ever the accused shall to be so tried Provided that
in all where the party may be imprisoned fined
ahO ifty6 he NAV To i'll
risdictiOn of the case"
Messrs. McIvor, Ward, n. A. Mclean, McDon-
aid, of Moore, and McGehee addressed the Con-
ventiOn in opposition to the amendment
Mr. Moore, of Wake, (by leave) withdrew the
amendment he had offered, and offered the fol
lowing as a substitute therefor:
"Bnt the General Assembly may establish Courts of
be held publicly and stated and places
by Judges Justices of the Peace who may
hear and determine without any Jury grand petit all
otherwise than by Imprisonment whenever the accused
shall consent to be so tried"
Mr.. Mebane expressed a willingness, Gf permit
ted to do SOL to accept this amendment q sub
stitute for his
Objection was made by Mr.. Boyden and Others
4 he question recurring on the amendment to
the amendment, it rejected-ayes S, nays g.
The question recurring on the amendment, the
following amendment was offered by Mr.. Smith OF
Johnston: add the words and provided that the
officers holding such Courts shall be elected by the
people,
recurring on the amendment offered by Mr.. Me-
bane, it was adopted-ayes So, nays 49,
Mr.. Caldwell, of Burke, moved to amend the
18th section of the Declaration of Rights, by
substituting the words ''shall not be )" for the
words " ought not to be-" Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Bynum, the seventh section
was amended by inserting after the word ''testi-
mony" the words and in all criminal prosecu-
tons he shall be entitled to counsel for his de-
fence"
Sundry sections of the Declaration of Rights
amended by substituting the word "shall "
for the word ought but after some discussion
relative to the propnety Of this amendment 1t
was reconsidered, on motion of Mr.. Moore, of
Wake, and the original language restored.
On motion of Mr.. Phillips, the further consid-
Grafton of the amended Constitution was post
poned until Monday next.
The Convention then adjourned until 10 o'clock
tomorrow.
SATURDAY, June 2, 1866
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Hudson, of the Methodist
Church.
Mr. Moore of Wake, from the committee on Re- |
vision of the Constitution, reported a substitute
for the ordinance to Great the office of Lieutenant
Governor recommending its incorporation in |
the amended Constitution. The substitute re-
tains the substantial provisions of the original
dinance.
Mr. Brooks An ordinance concerning widows,
who have qualified as Executrix of the last wills |
and testaments of their husbands
On motion of Mr. Mckay of Harnett, the Or
dinance to pay Provisional Judges for their servi
ces in holding Courts of Oyer and Terminer was
re-committed to the finance committee.
RECONSTRUCTION.
On motion of Mr. Mcdonald of Moore the
Convention proceeded to consider his resolutions,
declaring what has been done, and appointing |
committee to ascertain what Is necessary to be |
done, to restore the State to the Federal Union.
On Motion of Mr.. Mcdonald of Moore, the
fourth resolution was amended by striking out the
word So five and inserting ''seven.
Mr.. Mcdonald then moved to amend the last
resolution by substituting for the words Speak
ers of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives the words % President of the Senate and !
Speaker of, &c
Pending this amendment,
Mr.. Richardson said that he opposed to any
further concessions to radical fanaticism- any
further bending of the plant hinges of the knee,
that thrift light follow fawning. North Carolina
had had enough of sackclOth and ashes. She had
too long held the humiiating position of sup
plant. He moved to lay the resolutions on the
table
Mr.. Dick requested rs a matter of courtesy,
that the gentleman would withdraw the motion.
The motion having been withdrawn, Mr. Dick
said that the resolutions embodied the true object
for which the Convention called. 1t was call
ed to restore the State to the Federal Union, and
it would be recreant to its duty, if it failed to &C
cOmplish this purpose to do all in its power to
effect it. We a conquered people, and a sui
len acquiescence in the conditions imposed by the
vctors will not suffice to restore us to the position
we have lost Great questions are crowding upon
u.s. and we must shrink from no burthen that they
may impose. A dark and bloody past is behind
u.s. and it is hard to forget it, but we must forget
the past to meet the future That future has no
9fptT 111t tho, IF 1ntu