Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-06
From the Raleigh Sentinel.
s,-n. :. Constitutional Convention"
(So-ealled.)
,r~Dr>-C@ C.I1CCTnN
MORNING SESSION.
THURSDAY, Feb. ~, 1868.


THURSDAY, Feb. q, 1868.
The Convention was called to order at
10s o'clock. lc,ho,
PRAYER by the Rev. Mr.. Pepper, Chap
lain Of 10th U. S. colored Troops.)
MIR Gambler moved to adjourn until u
O'Clock this evening, but withdrew 1t III or
der to allow Mr. Hodnett to rise to q ques-
ton of privilege.
ATr. Hodnett wished to know by what au-
thority the postage on large packets OF mall
that regularly went from this Hall every
day. was paid out of the peoples money.
He thought that they received high enough
le,. diem to pay for their own corfeSPoh-
dence. 1ou row
Mr.. Rich rose to a point OF ordef, say
ing that the gentleman ,caS nat $pe""t't9 ~
a question Of 9Tt0lege.
The Chair thought that a resolution III
regard 10 the matter should be offered.
Fir, H0dnett replied that various Con
seryative gentlemen had endeavOred to call
attention to TINS matter, but had not sue
ceeded in gaining recognition from the
Chair
He. in the name of the people of the
State. and IN the name of his constituents
denounced this illegal appropriation of the
peoples money.
Various other points OF order were sprung
upon Mr. Hodnett, when he took his seat,
saying, yes, you rule out Of order every
thing that has a tendency to show to the
people the reckless extravaganza with which
YOU squander their money"
Mr.. Gambler renewed his motion to ad-
journ.
Mr.. TOurgee moved to amend by saying
10 o'clock, tomorrow, and the motion, as
amended, prevailed
MORNING SESSION.
FRIDAY, Feb. 2S, 1868.
The Convention was called to order at 10
o'clock.
Prayer by the Rev. WarricIl (negro)
Leave was granted the Commute on In
ternal improvements to sit during the ses-
sion Of the Convention to-day.
RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, &c.
BY Mr. Ellis \ resolution that the mail
matter sent by this body at the expense Of
the State is without precedent and should
be at once stopped. Lies over.
CALENDAR.
The ordinance of Mr.. King, of Lemon,
allowing the widow of any testator to enter
her dissent III certain cases, was taken up.
Mr.. Jones, of Washington, thought it
should go through the hands of a Commit
tee before action.
Mr.. King wished to have vote on it
now.
After some debate it WIS referred to the
Committee on Judiciary.
Mr.. Andrews ordinance, concerning 4
reduction of the State tax upon Theatrical
and Concert Troups, was taken up.
Mr.. Abbott thought the present tax
amounted to almost prohibition, and the
tax provided for by the ordinance was
reasonable, and would, in the end, prove a
source Of revenue to the people.
Mr.. Welker objected.
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, favored the
passage Of the ordinance.
Harris, of Wake (negrOJ, also favored it.
Mr.. Colgrove thought they should go on
and frame a Constitution, and therefore
moved to lay the ordinance on the table
Lost.
Harris, OF Wake (negro) called the pre-
yious question. The call was sustained.
The yeas and nays were called upon the
passage of the ordinance, and resulted
yeas 81, nays IS.
SPECIAL ORDFR-REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
on THE JUDICIARY.
On motion Of Mr.. ROdman section was
read and adopted.
Section was amended and adopted.
fSection s was adopted the other day.
Section 9 was adopted without debate.
In section 10, Mr.. Graham, of Orange,
objected to the words land its (the Su-
preme Courts decisions shall be RENTED
to the Courts below" but, after some little
debate, Mr. Graham said he would waive
his amendment on this reading, and the
section was then adopted.
Section IL was adopted.
Section L already adopted.
Section -, laying OFF the Judicial Dis
tEicts, was adopted.
Sections Ii, -, 16, II, IS, 10, 20, q, p,
-, q, %, (26 already passed) p, % and 20
adopted.
Mr.. Gambler moved an additional section,
providing for the election of Justices of the
Peace by the qualified voters Of the county,
to hold office for six years.
Mr. TOurgee said that the committee in
tended to Introduce q section, providing
for Justices OF the Peace.
Mr. Gambler withdrew it at the request
of Mr.. Rodman, on being told that the
committee would report Il section covering
this ground.
Section 30 was amended and adopted.
Section 81 was adopted.
Mr.. Tourgee moved to reconsider the
vote on section "a. Carried.
Mr. Z. moved to amend, by adding, ''and
Constitution OF the United States"
Mr.. Graham, of Orange, said he would
have no objection to the words ''and Con
stitution of the United States and laws
made in pursuance thereof" He Offered
an amendment to that effect.
Mr.. Tourgee did not desire to give the
Judges power at present to enforce any
law, in conflict with the laws or Constitu
ton of the United States. He wished tc
limit their power as to the laws of the 0Ic
State.
Al Graham, colIod fer +Io wong op5 navs