The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-08-05
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
FRIDAY, july 81, 1868.

FRIDAY, July 81, 1868.
The House being called to order, prayer was
Offered by Rev. Mr.. Smith, of Martin.
lnE e6tattt. fat raa'8Bu 5tf tile 'f6la5skHS
| bills:
bill to repeal an ordinance of the Convention
"appOinting commissioners 20 investigate the
accounts and affairs of the Albemarlc and Chesa-
| peake Canal Company" Laid over
Il bill in relation 10 records OF the county
! courts. Laid over
bill to make bank bills set off, Referred to
| the judiciary Committee; and
A bill extending the charter of the High Shoa
Manufacturing Company. Referred to Committee
| on Internal Improvements.
Nh White presented 4 petition from sundry
! citizens o. Perquimans county, asking an appro-
priation for the purpose of removing Instructions
from the headwaters of Perquimans river. Re-
| ierred TO committee OF Internal improvements
Mr.. Parker presented petition relating TO the
abolition of capital punishment. Referred TO the
| judiciary Committee.
Mr. Stilley said he had received letter from
| Mr.. Gilbert, of Currituck county, in which was
| stated that Mr.. HUMPHREYS Representative from
| that county, was banned by the Howard Amend
ment. He desired that the letter should be re-
| terred to the committee on Privileges and Flee
| TONS =
Mr.. Durham opposed the reference, as it was
unknown whether the party addressing the let
| ter was responsible person or not. If il was
| referred, he desired that the committee should
| also be empowered TO take into consideration
| the case OF every other member. He believed
| That the movement was made in the interests of
party, and closed his REMARKS by rejecting some
| what upon the motives that prompted those to
bring the letter to the notice of the House.
Mr.. Seymour denied that any charge of unfair
ness could be alleged against the dominant party,
as their action on Il previous case would abunG-
antly testify. He called the attention of Mr.
Durham to the fact that on yesterday when some
one expressed the opinion that the course of the
Conservatives on the per diem was not prompted
by honest motives, he mir d. pronounced the
author an infamous liar; but now he in turn had
brought the same charge against the Republicans.
| lie (Mr 81 said that i'll every case of contested
elections, whether the sitting member was a Re-
| publican or Conservative, he should be guided
| entirely by the facts in the case.
MI Stilley said that Mr.. Gilbert respon-
| siDle person, as Mr.. Stevens, of Craven, could
| testify.
| MIR. Stevens said that from his knowledge of
| the matter, he was confident that Mr.. Hum
| phries was banned by the Howard Amendment.
| In answer to question by Mr.. Durham, he said
| that Mr.. Humphres was a magistrate and also
| sheriff of Currituck county before the war;
MIR. POu thought that Mr.. Durham sought too
large an investigation, and that Mr.. Stlley wish
| ed to proceed upon too small testimony. He
| thought the proper course to pursue was to eX-
| anime into every case brought before the House
upon responsible voucher
MI. Stilley was surprised to see that the motion
| to refer was opposed. The letter from Mr.. Gil
/, bert simply asked an investigation. He thought
! it was due to Mr.. HumpLries that such should be
had. Ii any one could suggest better plan to
pursue than to refer the letter to the committee,
/ he would cheerfully agree to it; but he was not
, willing that the letter should be treated with
| contempt.
After some further discussion, Mr. Seymour
| introduced the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, A statement has been made in this
| House, upon the personal avouchment of Mr..
Stevens, of Craven that certain member of the
House, viz: Mr. HUMPHREYS, of Currtuck, is
under the ban of the Howard amendment. There
fore be it
ItesolUed, That the Committee on Privileges
and Elections be instructed to investigate thu
question of the disability of the sitting member
from Currituck.
RESOLVED further. That said committee be in
structed TO investigate any case in which any sit
ting member is charged upon the persona
avouchment of any member of this House will
being under the ban Of said amendment
ResolOed further, That for the purpose of suel
investigation, the committee be authorized Il
send for witnesses and papers.
Mr.. Pou moved to suspend the rules for the
purpose of considering the resolutions Carried
4, Mr. Durham moved to lay the resolutions upoI
tne table, and asked Tor the yeas and nays, wlicl
were ordered.
o, The House refused to lay upon the table. Yea
~; nays So -
MI. Durham, in reply to remarks by Mr.. Sey
n'our, dlsclaimed any intention to impuwn tn
uiotiVes OF any member. He believed however
mat tiie resolutions would result in an unfair ey
SSitanatlon, as every movement of the kind wa
tha to.ea against the Conservatives. He move
Inc resolution. hs indefinitely postponed