Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-08-19
The Oeneral Assembly.

The next General Assembly will have
uerculcan task to perform. The members
thereof should therefore calmly and care
fully investigate, while they arc at home,
what they have to do, that il, what is
necessary to be done TO pnt the ship of
State III tho best possible trim for her rcxt
two years voyage.
We propose briefly to note some things
which ought to be done, aud in the best
and wi8est manner
l. The Augean stable must be clcansc1.
Never was che more filthy or demanded n
moro thorough cleansing and publication.
An Intelligent committee Of five working
men each, ought to be appointed with
plcHary powers to examine into the man
agement of each Of tho State Departments,
to investigate tho capacity of each in
cumbent and his integrity in it's mango
ment, the amount OF clerical force en-
ployed and the expenses of zach office
with n recommendation of what is neces.
sary for each Office, all with the view Of
reducing the expenses Of each Department
to living standard. We are too poor
and too much in debt, TO allow dollar to
be spent ncedlcssly and improperly.
2. An able committee of five, seven OF
nine, perhaps nine would be better IN
order TO provide three sub-committees Of
three each to divide tho work, with plennry
powers, to Investigate and ascertain TIC
ftauds and mismanagement of the n. G.
bonds, also Of the Railroads, Pcnitentiary
matters, &c, to ascertain. if possible, what
has become of the 2G 600, 900 OF bonds
who had them, what was dono with them
and what amount the State and Railroads
have received for them, and what is the
actual, jnst indebtedness Of tho State and
what shall bea done to re establish the
credit of the State.
3. Tho COmmittee on Education or
Public Instruction should have full powers
to Investigate al matters pertaining to this
subject.
l. The reviaal Of the Code 81 orla DO
put III proper hands at once, with inetrUc
tons.
s. Tho present plan OF registration aud
voting should be revised and reformed 80
as to make il less expensive and to prevent
more cflcctEally fraudulent voting. Every
precinct that gives 500 votes cloud jrave
q distinct voting place, with suitable poll
keepers and regiatoIa and chaiIcngera, ~
tho reg istcgluG and Voting ~ be done or
one and The same day. This would require
less time, less expense ami be more cfloc-
tive. The registers should be required to
swear every person proposing TO register,
whether or not they arc citizens OF the
United States, have been doniciled in the
State twelve months and The county 81
days Immediately preceding the election,
and to support the Constitution Of the
State and Of the United States.
Besides these important matters, thc1e
will be other special rs we'll as IL !a.g@
amount Of general Legislation required. -
This will demand unusual working energy,
close attention to business, and above ali
full and free consultation and co opera
ton. The force and efficiency of the
Democratic Conservatives would be se.i
ously le5sened by divisions or differences
OF opinion. They should, therefore, NJ
the outset, determine upon tho most con
fidential consultation md thorough agree
ment in all that is done. Let the highest
good Of the State and the people be then
constant aim, and all will be well.
Raleigh ICentiaeL