Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-12-20


tendance of many members of both
branches of the Assembly, and it was
truly grand sight to witness
the venerable and distinguished ex
Chief Justice, enfeebled by great age,
but his eye sparkling with the fire of youth.
and his gigantic mind as clear and vivid as
when in years past he illustrated the juris-
prudence of The State with legal lore, that
will, as long as the Common Law is known,
add lustre to the Judiciary of North Caro-
lima, pleading with ali the affection and
pride of q son for a venerable mother,
where necessities "plead, like Angels, trum-
pet-tongued," to all her children for assis-
lance. There was not graduate OF the
University present, who did not feel thank
full that their alma Mater had found in her
day of darkness and distress so able an adj
vocate in the "old man eloquent" though
himself the graduate of another institution.
Col. Cowan introduced into the House
on Friday, bill to establish Criminal
Court in the county of New Hanover, to be
held in the city of Wilmington, prepared
in accordance with the recommendation OF
the Grand Jury at the Fall Term of the Su-
perior Court, and endorsed by his Honor,
entire original and appellate jurisdiction of
crimes in New Hanover county, appeals be-
ing made to the Supreme Court direct,
but with no jurisdiction over causes moved
from other counties 4 change of venire
on account of objections to the Judge, to
be to the Superior Court Of New Hanover
county for other causes, to the adjoining
counties, as now provided by law. The Off
GERS of the court are Judge, elected
and qualified as Judges of the Superior
Court, and with similar salary paid by
the county Solicitor, elected for
four years by the Legislature, whose
fees are the same as the Solicitors Of the
several Circuits, in cases of conviction
and the Clerk OF the Superior Court and
the Sheriff of the county are also to be Of
ficers of the Court The terms are to be
six in number, commencing on the first
Monday of February, April, June, August,
October and December-the first term to
be held in February next. The other sec
tons are devoted to giving the Court the
proper powers to carry on its work and en-
| force it's processes. The bill is before the
judiciary committee Of the House, and will
probably be reported to-day. The Grand
Jury in their petition hardly ever estimatets
the necessity for this Court in the grea
saving it will be to the county, and it is to
be hoped that speedy and summary justice
which will be dispensed, will do much to
decrease crime within the county. 1t is to
be hoped that this bill will not be delayed
beyond the recess, by the great amount of
business now on the calendars. The New
Hanover members have, however, gener-
ally pushed forward their bills, a reward
almost universally attendant upon atten-
ton to business.
Col. Russ resolutions declaratory of the
loyalty of North Carolina came up for con-
sideration on Friday n the Senate. Mr..
Jones offered a substitute, both of which
you have already published. They were
about to be committed to the Judiciary
without debate, when Il remark fell from a
Senator which brought Col Hall to his
feet, who reviewed with telling effect the
course of certain Enthusiastically loyal
men. A few notes of the speech were taken
down at the time, and [ hope to find time
to write them out to-day or Tomorrow for
publication.
Both Houses adopted the resolution re-.
Iiecting the constitutional amendment,
without debate, almost unanimously, but
every member fully impressed with the i'm
portance of the occasion. During the call
of the roll the utmost silence prevailed,
and every member answered TO his name
in clear and distinct tone that spoke vol
umes of the determination of the represen-
tatives of the people not to purchase fran
chise at the expense Of honor and manhood.
The resolution, properly authenticated, has
been forwarded to the President of the
United States and the Secretary of State.
The Legislature having requested Gov.
Worth, with two other Commissioners, to
proceed to Washington City, he immedi-
ately invited Judge Ruffin and Governor
Swain to accompany him. They left Fri
day night, and are doubtless, ere this, at
the seat of Government. What they may
accomplish there, remains to be seen ; but
the fact that these honorable and distin
Iguished gentlemen have been called away
from home by the representatives Of the
people, to attempt to undo some Of the
evils that degenerate sons are busy fasten
ing on the State, is whitening curse upon
the desperate and unworthy North Carroll
mans who are endeavoring, from motives
of revenge and personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT
to break up the State Government. Such
men are sowing the seeds of disgrace and
infamy, of which they and their children
and their children's children, will reap an
abundant harvest.
Judge Heath, for number Of years an
ornament to the Superior Court bench Of
this State, but now resident Of Memphis
has been in this city during part of last
week. His many friends here have given