Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-02-08
Relief of the People-The Various Measures
before the Northumberland ads-Im-
prisonment for Debt-Stay Law-Consol-
idation, &c, sc.

before the observation-disclosures este ads-Im-
prisonment for Debt-Stay Law-ConsoI-
idation. &C., sc.
RALEIGH, n. c., February 5, 1867.
Dear JOu'ndl-During the recess the
ed with the features of the two Homestead
bills then before the General Assembly; the
one introduced by Mr.. Richardson, of
Bladen, which had passed the House, and
the other by Mr.. Berry, of Orange, which
was then on the Senate calendar, but which
has now passed that body, and received the
favorable consideration of the House Judi
ciary Committee. Before Mr.. Berry's bill
passed the Senate, he Incorporated into it
one of the leading features of Mr.. Richard
sons bill, to wit : exempting certain neces-
sary articles by name from seizure under
execution or alta chment. Mr. Berry's bill
does not limit the value of the Homestead
1t is thought this bill will eventually pass
Dnring the present meeting many other
measures of relief have been offered and
several of them have passed one or other Of
the two Houses, but as yet none have re-
ceived the sanction of both. Mr.. Leach S
pill to project property sold under execu-
ton from sacrifice, was the second bill to
pass the Senate looking to the relief of the
people. This bill provides for the appoint
ment of Justice and two freeholders
whenever property is to be sold under ex-
ecution, to value the same, the Justice act
ing as umpire and unless the property
shall bring three-fourths of the assessed
value, the sale shall be postponed for twelve
months and be again exposed. This bill
has not come before the House as yet, but
it i thought it will pass
The House has, in the meantime, en-
crossed bill to abolish imprisonment for
debt introduced by Mr.. Dargan, of Arson,
which makes it unlawful to arrest or impri-
son any person upon an original writ for debt,
assumpsit, covenant, OF any other breach of
contract issuing out ofany Court, Or upon any
warrant of any Justice, Or upon any capids
ad atiyacienduna, but that all original writs
shall only summon the defendant to appear
at the next term of the Court. If the plain
tiff make oath in writing that tho defen-
dant is about to remove himself and pro-
perty beyond the limits of the State, and
also swear to the amount of the indebted
ness, then the plaintiff shall have a capias
ad responadenduna or ad satistacienduD, or a
bail-warrant for his arrest, This bill is
now in the hands of the Senate Judiciary
committee, and will be reported back with.
in the week. It is thought this bill will al.
so become a law.
The Stay Law which passed the House
during the December term, has been repor.
ted favorably, with amendments, in the
Senate. This bill is very similar to the one
now in existence under the authority of an
ordinance of the late Convention, except
that it gives Justices jurisdiction over debts
on bonds, notes, or iquidated accounts un.
der one hundred dollars, and over all debts
and demands due on any parol agreement
or for any goods sold and delivered under
sixty dollars, but stays execution for ONE
year, upon the payment Of one-tenth, and
again stays the execution upon payment o.
one-ffth, and SO On, ~ now provided BY
law. Defendants are allowed to abats suits
already brought in the Superior Courts fol
less value than is allowed in the act. Al