Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-01-21
Lsgtslat1xe Tenurs-ocomce.

There is no question now pending of
moro vital Importance to the people of
North Carolina than that raised by the as
sumption of a majority of the members of
the Legislature that they were elected for
four years. The election was held under
peculiar circumstances. A large proper
ton of the intelligence and wealth of the
State was DISTINGUISHED, and q great por-
ton of the people acted under duress, fear
ing some impending evil, or indiffer-
ent from sheer helplessness. Consequent
~ many persons were sent to the Legisla-
ture utterly worthless, doing little credit
even to the disreputable party which
elected them. AS low as we estimate
the social and intellectual standing of the
Radical party of North Carolina, we will
not do it the injustice to claim that the
majority of the members of the present
General Assembly fairly represent it, either
in responsibility or intelligence. With q
new selection, whatever might be the po-
Iitical complexion of the Legislature, there
would be a much larger proportion of
members with sufficient capacity to COM
prehend their duties to themselves and the
State.
We publish this morning the very able
opinion of Mr.. 3. F. MOORE upon the
tenure-of-office of the members of the
General Assembly. It is unnecessary for
us to call special attention to it. The name
of the writer and the importance of the
subject discussed will claim for it the con-
sideration it deserves. But it is not to
such means we look for solution of this
grave question. We do not expect reason
or justice to operate in the decision. The
necessities of party and the selfish schemes
of political leaders will do more to decide
this constitutional question than the rul-
ing of Courts and the opinion of eminent
jurists. In this connection we give the
following from the Raleigh Sentinel as
furnishing practically more powerful
reasons for bringing the matter to a speedy
settlement than references to the Supreme
Court, or the opinion of men learned in
the law. The Sentinel says that the Gov
ernor will transmit a message to the Gen
eral Assembly, as soon as that body gets
qu04.tnaed up to business. declaring that
the term of the present Legislature ex-
pires by constitutional limitation on the
first Thursday of August, in the present
year. At least we hear so, and our infor-
nation comes pretty straight
Some may DE surprised at this, as it was
understood at the commencement of the
present session, that the Governor was in
favor of the Legislature holding over until
1872. We think we can explain the why
and wherefore of the Governors change of
front on this question.
Some time about the beginning of the
present session, in November, Judge Set
tie called on his Excelleney, and asked him
if he was a candidate for the United States
Senate The Governor, with his accus-
toned modesty and diffidence, and think
ing his friend Settle was commissioned by
his friends to urge him to be a candidate,
mildly and hesitatingly replied that he
1oas not q Candidate. Imagine his conster
nation land those who know him can i'm
agine it) when the Judge replied, ''Then,
Governor, if you are not a candidate I
am.''
Settle Immediately commenced his oper-
atoms with the faithful, assuring them that
the Governor was not a candidate for the
United States Senate, and that he had his
personal assurance of that fact, and urging
his own claims to that exalted position
Affairs began to look squally to the Gov
ernor and his friends, and a caucus was
called to discuss the subject of the Sera-
torship, in connection with the tenure-of-
Office question. The Governor and the
Judge we're both named by their friends,
and count of noses had. when it was dis
covered that the Judge had the inside
track of his Excellency by at leas. t,co to
one.
Since that expose, as a matter of course.
the Governor has been opposed to holding
over, for he has no idea of such a Legisla-
ture as that electing Senator.
This little contre temps not only changed
Rls Excenepcy's views on the tenure of