Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-02-01
RALEIGH, MONDAY, jan. 2Sth, ]


the session, there being no quorum on the
first, both Houses of the General Assembly
began work with zeal which indicates a
determination to get through with bust
ness as early as possible. Much has been
done during the first week, but with theex-
ception of the enrolment ofthe billamend-
ing the Revised Code in reference to APP
prentices, striking out all difference in re-
gard to color, there has nothing OF gen
eral nature been finally acted upon. Mr.,
Leach's bill to protect property sold under
execution from sacrifice, has occupied two
DAYS of the Senate, and a most interesting
and able debate has attended its consider
alton. The bill was sustained by Mr.. Leach
and opposed by Messrs Wilson, Hall and
McCorkle. The negative had the better
of the argument, but the affirmative the
majority of votes The bill passed its
second reading on Thursday, and pending
its final passage on Friday, the Senate ad-
iourned. 1t will come up again to-day as
the unfinished business. t-s..
The bill provides that where property IS
to be sold under execution, it is to be val
ued by two disinterested freeholders, and
unless it brings its full value, the Sheriff
or other officer shall postpone the sale for
twelve months. This is one OF the many
schemes of "relief" now before the Gen
eral Assembly, but as the Supreme Court
of the United States has already decided
in express terms the unconstitutionalty Of
a similar act by the Legislature Of Illinois,
it seems that it's passage would be Idle
and wicked clap -trap, and may lead TO dan
perous and ruinous ends. Under the false
security of such law, should 1T again be
held unconstitutional, vast amounts of pro-
perty may pass from its owners for mere
song" for if the act does not protect the
debtor, theehighest bidder, however 1nslg-
nifcant the offer may be, would secure the
property should it be withdrawn after once
offered and bids made.
The General Assembly is very justly de-
termined to make an honest effort to relieve
the present necessities of the people, and
it is truly to be hoped that something,
within the limits of the law, may be de-
vised and adopted without resortlng to the
radical means in some instances proposed.
Radicalism in National politics is fast DRIFT
ing the country to inevitable ruin. Our
Legislature, by manly conservatism IN all
State legislation, should endeavor to stem
the torrent Every afternoon the peculiar
friends of "relief" hold caucus in the
Hall of the House Of Commons, at which
some thirty or forty members attend, but
as yet no definite action has been deter
mined upon. Many members seem to think
that unless some compromise Is settled
upon the tens of thousands of writs which
are now being issued to the Spring Terms
of the Superior Courts will have no trlbu-
nal to be returned to, as many, very many
advocate the abolition of the term.
The committee appointed by the House
at the last session to take into considera-
ton this subject, is understood to be ready
TO report, and will do 50 to-day. The bill
to be presented has had the careful consid-
Grafton of lawyers Of that body, and some
of the ablest legal minds of the State. Ii
is thought by the friends of the proposed
bill that it will stand the test of the Courts,
and is framed with due consideration for
the necessities Of both creditor and debtor.
AS soon as reported its provisions will be
forwarded.
Mr. Waugh, the intelligent and Jealous
Commoner from Surry, introduced into the
House on Friday, a bill to enable the West
ern Fayetteville railroad company to OK
tend its road across the n. G. railroad to
the Virginia line near Mt. Airy. The bill
grants full power to the President and Di-
rectors to extend this road across the n. G.
railroad by the most practicable route to
pass by OF near Salem, and thence by OF
near Mt. Airy to the Virginia line. The
Public Treasurer to be authorized to sub
scribe to the capital stock one million Of
dollars, to be paid with the second Mort
gage Bonds of the Wilmington, Charlotte 4
Rutherford railroad, one-half of which Is tc
be spent on the East, and the other on the
West Of the N. G. railroad, and private sub
scriptions are to be expended upon that side
of the N. G. railroad upon which the stock
holder lives. The bill has been referred tx
the committee on Internal Improvements
f any portion of the State can claim con
sideration it is that section through which
this proposed road is to run. To find al
inlet or outlet, the people of Forsythe and
Surry have to wagon their products anf
merchandise many miles. A vast ex
tent of rich agricultural and mineral land:
will be open to the North Carolina roads
whose wealth is now locked up or finds {
tedious and expensive outlet through Vir-
ginia.
The decision of the Supreme Court III
the matter of Hughes, already published in
the Josrndl, has excited much comment
among the bar in attendance on that Court
and the members of the Legislature. 1t il
almost universally condemned in unmeasur
ed terms. That such paper, evidently pre-
pared before the beginning of the term ant
appended to the case in question with az
much propriety as if it had been to the APP
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