Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-12-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY, Dec. 8, 1870.
Mr. Asbe from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported substitute for the bill de-
claratory of the meaning of the act enti-
tied An act TO repeal certain acts'passed
at the session of 1668-'69, making appro
priations to railroad companies, ratified
March 8, 1870" The substitute aud the
original we're placed on the calendar.
By Mr.. Brooks A bill TO legalze the
acts of the Justices of the Peaca of Bruns-
wick referred
By the same A hi | to fix the compen-
sation of the County Treasurer of Bruins
wick referred.
By Mr.. Ashe : A bill to abolish the Spe-
cial Court of Wilmington referred.
By the same A bill to repeal section 4.
chapter II, private laws of 1869-'70 re-
ferred.
On motion of Mr. Smith. of Wayne, the
rules were suspended and the bill to amend
the charter of the town of Goldsboro' was
taken up.
On motion of Mr.. Waring, the rules
were suspended and tho bill in regard to
elections was taken up. The bill provides
that all legal electors shall be required to
vote in the township in which they live.
On motion of Mr.. Sparrow. the bill was
referred to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections.
CALENDAR.
Bill to repeal the act in relation to TAX
ing fish in the Northeast branch Of the
Cape Fear River was taken up and passed
its third reading.
On motion of Mr.. Welch, the rules were
suspended and the bill concerning Con-
vention of the people was taken up, order
ed to be printed anh referred to the Com
YoikHoa op Unconstitutional Poforpo
On motion of Mr.. Justice, the rules were
suspended and the bill proposing costitu-
tional amendments by legislative enact
ments was taken up, ordered to be printed
and referred to the Committe on Constitu-
tional Reform.
Bill to prescribe the time for Sheriffs to
settle for State and county taxes was taken
up and passed its third reading.
Bill to repeal section Z, chapter 167,
passed it's third reading.
SPECIAL ORDER.
Bill concerning the city of Wilmington.
Mr.. Ashe offered an amendment electing
the Mayor by popular vote instead of by
the Board of Aldermen as the bill origi-
nally provided, also one continuing the
present officers until a fair registration
can be taken and an election held at some
subsequent day. These amendments to-
gether with some others were adopted
without debate.
Mr.. French argued for some time in op-
position, and concluded by moving the in
definite postponement of the bill.
Mr.. Ashe next occupied the floor in sup
port of the bill. In reply to Mr.. French's
charge, that this bill gerrymandered the
wards of the city. he would refer to the
mest Ubiquitous gerrymandering that the
party recently in power had used in laying
off the Senatorial and other districts of
the State, which met the gentleman's (Mr.
F'rench's) hearty approval. In reference
to the gentleman's 8 consistency in his oppo-
| sition to the provisions OF this bill, he
would simply refer to his recorded vote in
favor of the passage of the bill in regard
| to the town of Salisbury which passed the
last Legislature. That bill required a six
months residence, this only 80 days.
That bill required property qualification,
this none whatever. The principles of this
were so obviously fair aud inst, that he
| (Mr. Ashe) would not consume the time Of
the House in discussing them.
| Mr.. A. continued for sometime in advC-
cacy of the bill, reviewing the outrages
perpetrated upon bona tide citizens of cor
pcrated towns and cities in the way of
| amendments made to their charters by the
| last Legislature, Sc. He concluded by
calling the previous question in order to
save time and the peoples money
The call for the previous question was
sustained, and the motion by Mr.. French,
to indefinitely postpone was rejected by a
vote of yeas 38, nays 81.
The bill then passed it's third reading by
a vote of yeas 69. nays 81.
Resolution to investigate the conduct of
certain public officers in consequence of
the malsdministration of the State govern
ment was taken up. introduced by
| Fletcher, COLI
Mr.. Sparrow said that this resolution
being introduced by colored Republican,
he would vote for it with rlasure.
The resolution was put to vote and
adopted.
Resolution asking our Congressman to
use their influence to secure the passage OF
q general amnesty act, and the repeal Of
the test oath, was taken up.
Mr.. French could not advocate the pas
sage of a general amnesty act. He
| thought those wishing removal of their
disabilities should make individual appli-
cation. He would endorse the individual
application of Zeb. B. Vance, Joe Turner
or the Devil.
Mr.. Grayson (the introducer) spoke in
support of the resolution. He didn't see
how the United States Government could
proclaim that Southern States were re-
constructed and participating in the bene
fits Of the Union when hundreds and
thousands Of as good citizens as the