Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-12-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY, Dec. "A, 1S7

House called to order at the usual hour.
Prayer by Rev. DR.. Mason, of this CITY,
Mr.. Stanford presented a petition from
certain citizens Of Magnolia, Duplin county;
referred.
Mr.. Sparrow, from the Judiciary Com
Inttcc, submitted the following report upon
MabSon'S resolution to raise a Joint Com
mittee to investigate charges of Ku-Klux-
ism against certain members and officers of
the General Assembly:
.'Ihe Judiciary Committee to whom was
referred
\ resolution to raise Joint Commission
TO INVESTIGATE certain charges against F. n /.
StrudWick and others. Members and off
GERS OF the General Assembly have had
the same under consideration and respect
fully report:
mat the Congress Of the United States
has appointed committee to inquire into
the existence OF organizations such as those
mentioned in the resolution; who are mem
bcrs thereof, and what Outrares. if any.
upon the persons or property of citizens,
have been committed by such members :;
and has also conferred upon the United
states courts in the several States, lUlrisdic-
non for the trial and punishment of this
class OF offences against the laws. This
commission IS now sitting in Washington
city with power to send tor persons and
papers, and court of the United States is
now sitting III this city with full powers to
try this class Of offenders with grand illrv
whose sworn duty it is to make dilioent
inquiry and true preSentment of the same
he Legislature Of North Carolina at its
last session passed an act for Suppression
Of al secret political organizations, making
violations OF the law a miSdemeanor, pun
lohable on conviction by fine or imprison-
Hent or both, at the discretion Ofthe Judges
Of the superior courts.
Tie resolution demands Of this General
Assembly, that sit shall interfere in cases
which are open to judicial proceedings. and
assume original jurisdiction thereof, con-
tIdly TO the principles of the constitution"
In the opinion Of this committee, it is
neither proper nor eXpedient for this Gen
Graz Assembly to organize itself into an in
Gulsltorlal court for the trial of alleged mis-
dcn1anOrs, which may have been commit
ted hy It's members, not in their capacity of
pupHc servants, and for which thew are
TO the laws, and may be called to
answer before the courts of Justice. 1t
" oulu De gross ujUStice to member of
lhiS body, and violation of his most sa-
cred rights as Il citizen, to institute an in
quly here into alleged misdemeanOrs CON-
united by him not in his capacity OF a re-
preventative, pending perhaps an inquiry
rs
the same o1Iense ?
This committee knows no reason why
one class Of iTdictable offenders against the
laws should be called to answer at the bar
oil either House Of this General Assembly.
more than another class. These are mat
leIS ior the courts, and not properly within
The JurlSt;ctlOn Of a deliberative BODY such
us this.
Apart from these considerations as to the
substance, there is fatal objection to the
FORM OF the resolutions. Under no circum-
9l"'iceS Would 1t be proper to raise a Joint
g Coi'ilili'tee OF both Houses to inquire into
the conduct of members of the General As
'emDly, since it would be a violation of the |
privileges OF either House for the other to !
interfere III its government.
tl9 committee respectfully recommend |
nat The resolutions do not pass.
L. SPARROW, Chairman"
HE consideration of the matter was
'ostponcd until tomorrow at 1O5 O'Clock.
by Mr. McNeill: A bill to allow the
commissioners of Robeson county to ad-
Hst the debt OF the county; referred.
On motion Of Mr.. BrOadfoot, the bill to
incorporate the Fayetteville Building and
-oal Association was taken up and passed
Is second reading.
SPECIAL ORDER.
INC pilI 10 pFONluc Tor the collection of
axes ny the State and by the several coun-
les OF the State, being the special order for
IIS hour, it was taken up and read. After
Undergoing great deal Of amendments the
III passed Its third reading by vote of
cas- IS, nays 20.
ON motion Of Mr.. Sparrow, the resolution
raise ,IOlnt committee to inquire into ]
nc Genuineness and authenticity of a letter ,
ead before the House by MADISON, coIored. {
Importing to have been written by one
anlel Latta, Of Orange county, making
larSes against a member of tn. House. :
as taken up and adopted Resolution '
lblished BEFORE ,
On motion of Cawthon, colored. the :
solution taking a recess from the 22d of d
ecember, 1871, to January Sth, 1872, was f
ken up. "''' -
MI sparrow moved to lay the resolution {
! IN me i table. Carried by the casting vote T