The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-08-05
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, July 9th, 1868.
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Mr.. Bowman asked leave to introduce
bill authorizing the Public Treasurer to bor-
row sum, not toexceed 100000, to defray
necessary expenses of the State, and moved
to suspend rules for the purpose of putting
said bill on its passage.
The Chair ruled the motion to suspend
the rules out of order, under the rule of the
House that all bills authorizing loans or eX-
penditures on the credit of the State, shall
be read on three several days, &c.
Mr.. Bowman then withdrew the motion.
Mr.. Bowman, from the judiciary Commit
tee reported back che bill authorizing the
issuing OF marriage licenses, WITHOUT rccom-
mendation.
Mr. Bowman moved to suspend the rules
| for the purpose of putting the bill on its
third reading. Carried.
Mr.. Bowman moved to insert at the end
of section 1. after "Registcr Of Deeds" the
words 'clerks of townships" also in section
2 after Register of Deeds" the words ''or
clerks of townships"
Mr.. Bowman introduced the amendment
to promote convenience. In some of the
| Western counties it was necessary lin order
to reach the Court House for the purpose of
getting licenses to marry,) to 90 at least 40
| y
it was almost impossible to travel In the
next place, the perquisites OF clerks of
townships in which there was but il sparse
number of inhabitants, would be very small,
and it was RIG hit and proper that they should
have, in addition, the fees accruing from the
issuing of marriage licenses. Is to the OBJ
lection urged by the gentleman from john
son (Mr Pou) that the records of marriages
by so many officers, woul:l be impertectly
made or kept, and thereby cause trouble to
lawyers in bringing actions of divorce, there
need he no fear on that ground. Parties
would never bring actions for divorce unless
well fortified at the outset
Mr. Sinclair said he was very sorry to see
this bill reported back without digestion
from the committee. 1t needed amendment
because it provided that a civil magistrate
could solemniZe marriage, sc. 4 magis-
trate could celebrate the rites of matrimony,
but it required minister to s0lemniZe them.
He should oppose the amendment because
the institution of marriage was too sacred Il
thing to have so many officers issning licenses
therefor No change should be made without
first consulting the people. When the peo-
pie desired an extension of the right to is
sue license, it would be proper to make the
\ proposed alteration. But, for the present
he hoped the right would be confined alone
to the Register of Deeds.
Mr.. Pou hoped the amendment would
not prevail. The only change made on the
subject by the constitution was, that it abol-
ished the office OF county court clerk, and
instituted that of Register of Deeds The
amendment was Objectionable for this rea-
son i'll numerous cases that are brought in "a
the courts it would be necessary to prove tho
fact of marriage; but if the amendment pre-
vailed, 1t might often be very difficult, if not
impossible to do So And as to the enlarge
ment Of fees for the clerks of townships, the
distribution of the fees for marriage licenses
: among those officers would add very little tC
the pay of each. He should therefore vote
against the amendment.
Mr.. Lcary said when a man once got the
consent OF lady to marry, he would not be
indisposed to 90 IL few miles, however un
pleasant the weather, in order to secure his
license. He hoped the amendment would
be voted down.
Mr.. Bowman then withdrew his amend
ment.
MIR. Sinclair moved to amend by inserting
before solemnize," the words celebrate
or" Carried
The bill, as amended, then passed, was
ordered to be engrossed and sent to the Sen
ate for enrolment.
On motion Of MIR. Ames, the House ad
journed.
NoTE.-In Saturdays proceedings, tht
printer made the reporter Say that the pre-
vious question, moved by Mr.. Sinclair OIL
the bill to authorize the Medical Colleges o
| .I. O. 4 Ill
sustained" The word mot" " should hav
| been omitted