Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-11-19
The Legislature.

This body met yesterday at Isalelgh
pursuant To its own adjournment. No de-
Lucrative assembly that ever met in North
Carolina, unless it may be the Convention
that framed the Constitution under which
we now live, could with moro truth and
propricty say, "we have done those things
Which We ought not to have done, and we
have left undOne those things which We
ought to have douc." An opportunity Is
now offered to accomplish much in the
right direction both in the way OF doing
and undoing. We trust that our grave
anu reverend Legislators sO-called, will re-
member tho lesson recently learned by the
Railroad Ring III North Carolina. The
day has passed by when men can, with i'm
punity, iegislate in defiance of the wishes
Of the people of the State and against their
interest The time has come when even
Radicals and leaders of the Ring deem
it necessary to become circumspect 1t is
now necessary for every man who expects
10 make his home in North Carolina to pay
some regard to the future. AS we expect no
change in those who are here only for pelf
and profit, in those vultures who are attract
ed here by the carcass only, we shall waste
neither time nor space upon them. To
those persons, however, no matter whether
native or foreign born, Southern or North
ern, who honestly feel identified with the
State and propose, for veal or for woe, TO
become North Carolinians, no matter how
far they may have been blinded or misled
or deceived by partisan feelinl; or artful
Misrepresentation, the present time affords
new point Of departure, new opportu-
uity to recover lost ground and to make a
now start upon that road that shall lead to
the honor and prosperity Of North Carroll
IA. While, however, there is much to be
done and much to be undone, We trust that
our legislators will bear in mind that brew
lily may bear as important relation to
LEGISLATION rs it does to wit-that the pro-
ceedings OF the General Assembly may
very appropriately be enlivened with occa-
Bional brilliant flashes Of silence WhereWlth
to relieve the dull, unbrOken monotony
Of sense and nonsense.
The place for much work to ne done is the
committee room, provided the committees
be fairly appointed and provided they
work in the interest Of the people and not
OF q party. IF the report of committee
shows, as it ought to show, that the re-
Communications therein contained have
been made unbiased by partisan or other
prejudice and nninfuenced by any con-
sideration save. the good of the people and
Of the whole people Of the State, vast
amount OF lime and money will be saved.
We do not by any means, however, desire
TO be understood as intimating the Legis
lature ought to be simply a machine to re.
cord the will of its committees. We de-
sire simply to say that with honest, hard
working, Intelligent committees the labor
of legislation can be materially lessened.
With the best Intelligence, the best com
mittees and the best disposition to dc
right the task to be performed by this
Legislature, in order to secure to itself {
fair share of popular favor, is Difficult
one.
In our opinion the shortest way to &C
eomplish this end is to prepare, introduc,
and pass proper bill providing for The
call Of convention of the people to as
semble at as early a day as practicable
This would in measure render unneces
sary any action en- the part OF the Legisla
tnre IN reference to the judicial system
to our deplorable financial condition; t.
the pernicious and partisan operation O
our militia system; to the unwarrante,
powers claimed by our Chief Executive. O
IN reference to the system of public in
struction in the State.
1t Convention be not called these snl