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I '!J i ,i "J m II iii '4 I i it 4 THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL. WILMINGTON. N. C, THURSDAY DECEMBER 13, 1S66. The Clue to the Policy of the Radicals and their Southern Supporter. Whilst the Southern States have produced, einco the beginning of the government, the most profound jurists and statesmen, it must bo admitted that politics were stu died by them as a science and never de scended to as a trade, nor was place-hunting ever a characteristic of the Southern peo ple. Party contests always were very warm and exciting with us, but this was caused only by a desire to secure the tri umph of those principles whi?h each par ty believed to be true and better adapted to the prosperity of the people and the genius of our institutions. The same can not be said of our Northern f ellow-citizens The history of the country proves, alas ! too well, that politics with them, as a gener al rule, is resorted to as a matter of gain and not of principle. Nine-tenths of their pol. iticians, from the bar-room bully and shoulder-hitter, to the aspirant for Congression al honors, are actuated by the hope of ob taining office for the sake of the salary at tached to it, and for the opportunity which it affords of public peculation. Party suc cess with them becomes desirable, not only as a means of elevating men to public po sition, but also as a means of providing for an immense army of dependents, in the shape of innumerable public offices, printers in the departments., custom house employees, attaches of foreign missions, revenue officers, whose name is legion, assessors, weighers, guagera, col lectors, &c, &c, all constituting a vast horde, eating up the substance of the peo ple ; and for whom and by whom, political contests have become, in the Northern States, mere struggles for place and profit. When we add to this the hatred of the ab olitionists, for whom the Radical party is only another name, have always entertained toward the South, we can easily account for the present phase of public affairs in the United States. If the Radical party were actuated by inflexible adherence to fixed political princi ples, we might have something to hope for; but inasmuch as they have no fixed political principles; as they have no standard of public action, save party success and ascendancy, XT can hope for no action from that party, save such as will secure that ascendancy and success. This is the cause of that dire lictjon of riublic principle which has ren dered that party the scorn of honest men throughout the world ; which has caused that party to regard the Southern State as States for all purposes of adopting con stitutional amendments, and for all pur poses of taxation, but has denied to them the character of States for all the purposes of representation, shamelessly violating the fundamental principle of the American Government for the simple rea son that, to admit it would endanger their party success. Now, whilst we hear many conjectures as to what course the Radical Congress will pursue towards the South, every reflecting man must see that they "will pursue just whatever course may be necessary to perpetuate, if possible, their party success. No disgrace following a "breach of public faith no sense of shame no regard for the opinion of the world "will have any influence, whatever, on their course in the present aspect of affairs that course will be shaped entirely to secure to them political success, and to enable them to enrich their dependents by public plun der. This is the whole secret of their refusal to admit the Southern States upon the ba sis advocated by the President. Were they to coincide with him their party ascendancy would vanish at once ; and party ascen dancy is, with them, above and beyond all ether considerations whatever. To secure this they will not only sacrifice the South ern States, but destroy even the form of the Government itself. Hence, the strug gle for the Howard amendment. Should that amendment bo adopted, all public offices within the gift of the Southern peo ple would be filled by their own wretched creatures, men who now adopt their policy, jmd would forever cling to it as their only means of attaining for themselves both place and profit. The Presidsnt of the United States, by Virture of the undoubted authority vested in him by the Constitution, further strength ened, if possible, by an act of Congress, proclaimed a general amnesty. Through him the public faith of the United States is pledged to a full pardon of all the Southern people, for past political offences, who have Complied with the requirements of the jro-clamation.- History has scarcely an instance Of a civilized rieople so degraded, as to vio late their publicly plighted faith. But yet the Radical party are contemplating meas ures, by which the general amnesty, to Which we have referred, shall be set at iiaught, and the people of the Southern Btates, notwithstanding the pardon thereby extended to them, shall be punished by con fiscation of their lands, and disfranchisement- A gentleman recently arrived from JSurope, has informed us that this contem plated course of the Radicals has inspired there the utmost loathing and disgust, as a violation of their pledged public faith, au thorized by themselves in a public and Bolemn legislative act. And yet, to our shame be it spoken, there are men among ourselves, who, under the pretence of pa triotism, but reaDy through an inordinate selfishness and ambition, caused the very course thus foreshadowed." Yes, men born on our soil, claiming to have the interests of their country at heart, who are contin ually calling for vindictive measures against their own bleeding section and suffering people, who publicly clamor for the dis imnchisement of their fellow-citizens ; the confiscation of their property ; the over throw of our State governments, that we may be subjected to an oligarchy, and placed under the rod of wretched satraps. History proves that the most servile instru ments of oppression towards a conquered people have sprung from among them eelves wretches who, for the sake of poli tical position and emolument, have violated the ties of nature, and every principle sa cred to the human heart. Such characters do indeed live in history, but so does Judas Iscariot. Sir. Trumbull's Bill. If there be any one principle establish ed by our fathers, and which has been con firmed by ne'arly a century's experience, it is that the Legislative Executive and Judi cial Departments of Government shall be kept distinct and separate. The framcrs of the State Constitutions, which, it will be re membered wore all adopted before that of the UnitedStates, were most careful to engraft in those instruments tbiscardinaldoctrine: All history had taught them that power com mitted to one hand would be abused to divide power among several depositaries was to furnish a great safeguard against that abuse. It is true, our forefathers were without precedent, in framing their systems of goverment, and they were therefore com pelled to draw on their own minds; on their knowledge of mankind, to provide against the evils which are inevitable in all human institutions, and it has been to the world matter of astonishment that they should have succeeded so well as they have done. In the language of one of our greatest statesmen, in attempting to account for this success, "it was the instinct of Liberty" which guided them. And if this was true of the framers of our State Constitutions, how much more true does it seem when we examine the provisions of the Constitution of the United States. There wo see the " Conscript Fathers " of America, exerting their utmost efforts to provide every secu. rity against the possible abuse of " power, and foremost among these is this great, this Catholic, canon of hbertv, that the Legislative, Executive and Judi cial powers shall be kept forever distinct and separate. Several of the first minds in the convention of 1787 seemed to apprehend most danger from the legisla tive department few were apprehensive of the Executive, and none, or very few, of the Judicial. Subsequent experience has shown the wisdom of those prophetic an ticipations in respect to the Executive ; the patronage of that department has unfortu nately furnished too many instances of the abuse of power ; but even this exercise of power was not indulged, until the execra ble doctrine was openly avowed by a con spicions party leader, that " to the victors belong the spoils." The last few years of civil war have re moved all the ancient land-marks of power, and the Executive abuses "pale their inef fectual fires " before those of the Legisla tive Department. The American people, by the result of the recent elections, are supposed to have approved of all .the at tempts by Congress to assume the powers of the Executive branch of the Govern ment. Each new assumption constitutes a fresh redoubt from which the assailing par ty may more successfully assault the for tress of Executive power. For more than two years we have witnessed the erection of those fieldworks, steadily advancing upon the White House, but it is only in the latest papers we have seen indications of a determined purpose to assume the Judi cial powers, as well as the Executive. We feel it to be our duty, as faithful sentinels on the watch-tower, to sound tho alarm on the approach of this, the most appalling peril which has ever threatened our government. It the powers of the Executive department shall fall before the steady march of the Congres sional forces, though it would certainly pro claim the imminent danger of the Repub lic, yet it might not be fatal, but if the ju dicial power is once prostrated at the foot of a wild, reckless and irresponsible party, all are lost indeed. We have observed, with equal pain and astonishment, that a bill has already passed the House of Representatives, and is now pending in the Senate of the United States? by which it is in substance declared, " that if suits are brought for injury to persons or property by loyal citizens, it shall con stitute no defence to the 'defendants that such injury was done by Confederate au thority. " This is, in other words, to declare that every act done tinder and by virtue of the authority of the Southern Confederacy, though with all the sanctions of law, shall be deemed and held to have been done in viola tion of law, and to be redressed accordingly. The same principle will justify the par ty in power in declaring every execution by verdict of a Southern jury during the war, to be murder. But the offensive and revolt ing feature of the bill is, that it commands the judiciary tc refuse as a defense, what the law of nature and nations, nay, what the laws of the United States themselves have declared to be a good defense. A de facto Government for four years, with which the United States treated, and which they re cognized, by exchanging prisoners with them, and which other nations recognized as bel ligerents, is now regarded by this act of Congress to bo declared by tho Judges of the Southern States " no Government," its citizens murderers and outlaws, for obey ing laws enacted by their properly consti tuted authorities. Well might the great Marshall exclaim, in the Virginia Conven tion, "If Heaven were invoked to inflict its greatest curse upon a sinning people, it would be to afflict them with a dependent judiciary." The SoutU Must Manufacture- as well as Plant. Recent events, with the discussion of which we are afraid to trust ourselves, com pel the South to a division of her labor.- -She can no longer be exclusively agricultu r d, and indeed we are disposed to believe that much of the poverty of the Southern States, compared to the Northern, before the war, was mainly owing to this cause. Wo bought negroes to raise cotton and we raised cotton to buy negroes. The consequence was, that we were wholly dependent on the North for tie supply of all our wants. Our. raw material, to be made available, must be carried to foreign mar kets for sale, and wherever the products of agriculture have to Beekr distant markets to be prepared for use, cotton, for instance, the grower must lose all the intermediate expenses between his farm and tke cotton mill in which it is manufactured. Suppose, instead of being transported hundreds, and in case of export to Europe, thousands of miles to reach the factory, there were mills at hand to manufacture it, is it not obvious that the manufacturer could afford to pay to the grower a higher price than could be paid by distant manufacturers ? And the measure of this difference of price is the intervening expense between the two mills. The buyer of cotton in WilmiDgtou or Charleston for an English mill, must de duct the long list of expenses of freight, in surance, warehousing, dray age, wharf aye, dr., from the price he can afford to give, while he whose mill is in the vicinity of the cotton field can oiler to the grower just no much more as these expenses amount to. These views are so obvious, that it had long ago excited the surprise of the sagacious that the South should have been so blind to her best interests as to continue in this state of pecuniary and consequently of political de pendence. No country is better, and few so well, calculated to maintain extensive manufactures both of cotton and wool her climate giving her a monopoly in the United States of the production of the first, and a fair rivalry with all other countries ill the last. Rut it is not only in the nearness of the raw material to the mill, that the South has the advantage of the North. We all know that the rigors of a Northern winter bind, in chains of ice, the machinery driven by water, and that such a suspension must constitute a heavy drawback in profits of capital so invested. Whereas no such consequence ever occurs, in the genial climate of the South. The reasons assigned in former years for declin ing to invest in manufactures have, in a great degree, ceased with the extinction of slavery. We remember to have read, years ago, sundry able articles in Northern jour nals to show "that a country sustaining manufactures would always increase in wealth, whereas an exclusively agricultural country would grow poorer and poor er." England was cited in proof of this truth in Europe, and the New England States in America, especial ly contrasted with the great agricultural regions of the South and West. ; wheth er this was true then or not ; whether Yankee thrift had verified it at that time, certainly Yankee theft has abundantly es tablished it by this time, without the aid of political economy. We propose in some subsequent articles to discuss this question as one of the most important to the future destinies of the South. We cannot give our assent to this law, as it is called, of po litical economy, "that agricultural conn, tries are always weak and poor, as contras ted with manufacturing nations," without sundry qualifications and modifications. But with such qualifications, we strongly in cline to believe in its truth. For the present, we will content ourselves with saying, that the South can no longer remain wholly ag ricultural that it must divide its labor and capital between these great sources of na tional wealth and strength that if this course would have been wiser and better for us before our late disasters, it is much more so now. Any country is badly governed which does not turn its products to the best pos sible account, as he is a bad farmer who carries his produce to a distant market and reduces thereby his legitimate profits. That country is unwisely managed which imports more than it exports, as ho is a bad manager who buys yearly more than he rells; and this, we think, can be shown in respect to the whole South, which has al ways bought more than it sold. The enor mous crops of cotton the millions of bales and hundreds of millions of dollars they brought, are all illusory, since we find, for half a century past, the South was yearly increasing its debt, notwithstanding its in creased production, while the manufactur ing States were yearly increasing in wealth. If proof is demanded, wc ask where is the Southern State to be found that is not in debted to Northern or European capitalists? What railroad or other great work of inter nal improvement in the South has ever been built with Southern money ? We either go North or else to Europe to bor row the means for improving our faims, for building tho very roads to get our pro duce to market, and the crop is thus mort gaged from the time it is put into tho ground, till it is sold, and hence it has been well said, that our wealthiest planters were but the overseers for English or Northern capitalists. It maybe replied, "true, but without sub stantial wealth we never could have bor rowed theso enormous sums." Our reply is, " that is the very thing we complain of ; here is the solid and enduring source of wealth in the finest land and climate in the world, but we have not had the wisdom so to cultivate it, and above all to husband the xceallh it yields as to keep it amovg us; in short, to be the real owners of it. Let us erect manufactures of all the articles of prime necessity, and our annual balance sheet will present a different face. The few public spirited capitalists in the South, who have invested in manufactures have been amply rewarded. ' ' The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." UEPOHTED EXPRESSLY FOR THE JOURNAL. 1 NORTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE. SENATE. Tuesday, Dec. 4th, I860. The morning hour was consumed in the report of committees and introduction of bills and resolutions of but little interest, until 12 o'clock, at which time, according to previous agreement, the two Houses met in convention to count and compare the vote for Governor. (See House proceed ings.) COMPTKOLIiEK. After the return of the Senate to their Chamber, two votes were taken for Comp troller, without success. On the first vote in the Senate, Brogden received 12, Cow per 10, Collins 10, Holderby 6, Bain 4, Gen. J. G. Martin 1. On the second vote Brog den received 14, Cowper 13, Holderby 11, Collins 5, Bain 1. HORSE STEALING. Mr. Berry's bill for the better suppres sion of the crime of stealing horses and mules, came uj for consideration. The bill proposes to punish the crime with death for the first offense. , An amendment proposed by the Judiciary committee, "making the second offense punishable with death, was the question presented. Messrs. JcCorkle and Leach advocated the adoption of the amendment; iessrs. Wilson, Avery and Harris, of Rutherford, favored the original bill. The discussion way ably conducted and with the question still pending, the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMOSB. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 186G. A message was received from the Senate proposing that the two Houses meet daily, until otherwise ordered, at half past ten o'clock, A. M. Concurred in. KEI'OKTS or C02DHTTEES. Mr. Waueh. for the committee on Propo sitions and Grievances, reported back sun dry bills for the relief of sheritts, recom mending that thev do not pass. The com mittee reported a general bill for the relief of sherifls and tax collectors, as a s.iusu tute for the bills referred. Also, unfavorably, n bill to allow fees to county court clerks in certain cases. Mr. Buss, for the committee on Agricul ture, reported back a bill for the benefit of the poor of the county of Bladen, rccom - commending its passage. Mr. Harper, for the committee on Fi nance, reported back the bill to suspend the collection of taxes in certain counties, with a substitute recommended by the com mittee. Also, a bill to raise revenue, recommend ing that it do not pass. DILLS AND l!2SOIiUTIo:CS 1NTI40DUCT2D. By Mr. McNair A resolution in favor of Neill McNeill. Bv Mr. Horton. of Wilkes A resolu tion in favor of A. J. Atkins and others. Bv Whitfield A bill to amend the char tor of the Shelby and Broad River Railroad Company. Bv Mr. Smith, ot .Duplin A bill to ex empt certain peisonal property from seizure under execution. By Mr. Button A bill to incorporate Hoover Hill Jliuing Company. Also, a bill giving debtors who.-e lands have been sold under execution, the right of redemption. By Jr. Davis Bills to incorporate the "Sturgis'," "Thomas," and "Collins" Gold Jiining Companies, in the county of Franklin. By Mr. McKay A bill to give married women one-third interest in the real estate of their husbands. By Mr. Clark A bid to repeal section 2d, chapter LU, Revised Code. By Mr. Blvthe A bill authorizing ad ministrators to pay for the schooling of minor heirs. By Mr. Davidson A bill to repeal an act for the better regulation of the Western Turnpike Road. By Mr. JcNair A bill to amend see. 12, chapter 52, Revised Code. Mr. Russ presented a memorial from the Jayor and Commissioners of the City of Raleigh, relative to its subscription to the Chatham Railroad, asking relief. COUNTING VOTES FOIi GOVERNOR. The hour of 12 having arrived, the mem bers of the Senate arrived and were as signed seats to the right of the Speaker. The two Houses then proceeded to execute the joint order, for counting the votes cast for Governor in the recent election. The President of the Senate, alter the votes were compared announced tho elec tion of Governor Worth, and the Senate returned to their chamber. COLLECTION OF TAXES. On motion of Mr. York, a bill to suspend the collection of taxes in certain counties of Jthe 7th congressional district, was taken up for consideration. Tho bill passed its second reading, ex tending this indulgence to the counties of Alexander, Wilkes and Surry. On the third reading, the county of Sur ry was stricken out on motion of Mr. Waugh, the Sheriff of that county having already paid in the taxes due. The bill after some further discussion, passed its third reading, and was ordered to be engrossed and sent to the Senate. Mr. Crawford of Jacon, by leave, intro duced a bill to abolish jury trials in the county of Jacon. On motion of Mr. WTilliams, of Martin, a message was sent to the Senate, proposing that the two Houses proceed to the election of Comptroller forthwith. The Senate by message concurred, and the House proceed ed to vote, the name of Mr. Bain having first been withdrawn by Mr. Richardson. The joint vote on this ballot, as subse quently announced, is as follows: Whole number of votes 150; necessary to a choice 76. Mr. Brogden received 5') votes; Mr. Cosvper 32; Mr. Holderby 27; Mr. Collins 20; scattering 6. No election. On motion of Mr. Williams, of Martin, a message was again sent to the Senate, pro-1 posing anotner ballot lor Oomptrollex. The Senate concurring, the House again voted. Pending the announcement of the result, the House adjourned. There was no election on this ballot. SENATE. Wkunksday, Dec. Several unimportant bills duced and referred. 5th, 1806. were intro- WILMINGTON AND WJlLDON liAIL llOAD. Mr. Hall introduced a bill to amend the act incorporating the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad (W. A: W. R. 11.) which allows branches to be built without the stockholders thereof becoming interested in the stock of the main stem. Referred to the committee on Internal Improve ments. 1IOKSK STEALING. Mr. Berry's bill to prevent hoi'se stealing was resumed on its second reading. The question being on the amendment of the committee on the Judiciary, making the first offence punishable by whipping and imprisonment, the second with death. Mr. Covington advocated the passage ot' the original bill. Mr. Brown supported the amendment. Mr. Paschal moved to amend the amend ment by making the punishment for the first offence by branding in the forehead with a small horse shoe. Rejected. The committee's amendment was then rejected, and the bill passed its second reading by a vote of ayes 30, nays 12. The bill makes it a capital felony tor the first offence. RATIONS FOR TIIE NEEDY. Mr. Cowle's resolution instructing the Goernor to accept the aid proposed by the Government were considered on his mo tion and passed to their engrossment. The resolutions are as follows : Jiesolied, That the Governor be instructed in order to ascertain the extent of the destitution in the several counties of the State, to open a cor respondence with the chairmen of the Warden's Courts in their respective counties, and report the result of such inquiry to tho Chief Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau in this State. Kesolced, That the Governor ba authorized to do all other acta necessary to carry out tha ob jects contemplated by the foregoing resolution, and that each county shall make provision to pay the expenses of transportation and all other expenses upon such supplies as may be received for the benefit of the poor of such counties res pectively. SCOMPTKOLLOK. Four unsuccessful votes were t iken for Comptroller, without success (see House proceedings as to statement of the result.) COUN SELLER OF STATE. The Senate concurred in the proposition to go into the election for six Counsellors of State. Some twenty-five names were voted for. Mr. Eaton received 41 of the 46 votes cast in the Senate ; Mr. E. W. Jones, of Caldwell, received 26; and Mr. H. Joyner, of Halifax, received 26. The committee were unable to report at the ad journment. It is known that Mr. Eaton is is thought Mpssrs Jones and Joyner are also elected. The Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Wednesday, Dec. 5th, 1866. Mr. Wilson, Commoner from Perqui mons county, appeared and was qualified. Mr. Wilson has been detained at home by sickness since the commencement of the session. Mr. Bowe presented a memorial from cit izens of Caswell county praying the enact ment of a " fence law " for said county, in consequence of the scarcity of timber there. Mr. Waugh, from the committee on Pro positions and Grievances, reported a sub stitute for the bill to exempt Justices of the Peace and Ministers of the Gospel from working on roads. RESOLUTIONS AND UIIL.S. By Mt. Williams, of Harnett, a resolu tion that the committee on adjournment, take into consideration the propriety of re commending an adjournment at an early day, to meet again after the 15th of Janua ry next. Referred. By Mr . Davis, a bill to amend an act entitled "an act for the relief of Land lords." By Mr. Hinnant a bill to abolish impris onment for debts contracted jirior to the first May, 1865. Mr. Daniel, from the committee that su perinteded the election for Comptroller, on yesterday, reported as follows : Whole vote 152 ; necessary to a choice, 77. Bogden received 65 votes, Cowper 31, Holderby 33, Collins 18, scattering 2. No election. The House concurred in a message from the Senate, proposing to raise a joint com mittee to inform Hon. Jonathan Worth of his election as Governor, and ascertain when it will suit his convenience to appear before the Assembly and take the oath of of fice. An engrossed bill to repeal the ordinance of the Convention, changing the time of holding State elections, had its first read ing. An engrossed bill in relation to the coun ty courts of Hyde county, passed its seve ral readings under a suspension of the rules. Authorizes the Justices of said county to elect five of their number, to transact county business. An engrossed resolution of enquiry rela tive to Southern soldiers detained in North ern prisons, was also read and adopted. Mr. Allen introduced a bill to incorpo rate Pythagoras Lodge, Free and Accept ed Jiasons, in the county of Brunswick. Mr. Perry, of Carteret, a bill to incorpo rate Franklin Lodge No. 109 of the town of Beaufort. On motion of Mr. Horton, of Watauga, it was ordered, that so much of the Gov ernor's message as relates to the subject of " weights and measures," be referred to a select committee. On motion of Mr. Rogers, a message was sent to the Senate, proposing that the two Houses proceed at once to the election of Comptroller. The Senate, by message, announced its concurrence, and the 'House proceeded to vote. The vote on this ballot, as subsequently reported stood as follows: Whole number of votes, 151; necessary to a choice, 76. Brogden, 62; Cowper, 37; Holderby, 31; Collins, 19; scattering, 2. No election. On motion of Mr. Latham, of Craven, a message was sent to the Senate, proposing another ballot for Comptroller. The Senate concurred, a:id the House voted. This ballot resulted as follows: Whole vote, 152; necessary to a choice, 77. Brog den, 69; Cowpe, 35; Collins, 12. Holderby, 34; scattering, 2. JSo election. On motion of Mr. Richardson, a message was sent to the Senate, proposing to ballot aga u forthwith. Mr. Davis withdrew the name of Mr. Col lins. The vote on this ballot stood thus: Whole vote, 119; necessary to a choice, 75. Brogden, 62, Cowper, 47; Holderby, 33; Love, 15; Scattering, 2. BILLS ON SECOND ItEADIXG FAYJETTETILLE AND WESTERN ItAILEOAD. A bill to enable the Western Railroad Company to complete- its road from the Coalfields, in Chatham county, to some point on the North Carolina Railroad, was put on its second reading. Mr. McKay addressed the House ably and at length in support of the bill, and on his motion, the bill was amended by au thorizing the Company to issue evidences of indebtedness, in sums not less than $100 each. The bill as amended nassed its second reading. A bill for the relief of the people, propo sing to repeal the existing Revenue laws, was laid on the table on motion of Mr. Latham, of Washington. A bill to exempt Ministers of the Gospel from working on public roads and paying poll-tax, was put on its second reading. A substitute reported by the committe on propositions, proposing to exempt Ministers of the Gospel and Justices of the Peace from working on the roads, was adopted as an amendment. The question being on the passage of the bill as amended, Mr. Williams, of Harnett, moved to amend the bill by exempting also "all regular Physicians." Not agreed to. Mr. Richardson moved to amend by in serting after the words " Ministers of the Gospel," the words "having regular pasto ral charges." Messrs. Latham, of Craven, and Dargan opposed the bill, and on motion of the lat ter it was laid on the table. Bills to incorporate " the Bladen Manu facturing Company," and "the Bladen Land Company," passed second and third readings. A bill to repeal an act entitled " an act to provide hands to work on the public roads," was put on its second reading. The effect of the proposed repeal would, be to exempt Magistrates and Jinisters of the Gospel from working on tho roads. Mr. Dargan moved to lay the bill on the table. Not agreed to. Yeas 30, nays 81. The bill then passed its second reading. On motion of Mr. Garriss, a message was sent to the Senate, proposing to proceed forthwith to the election of six counsellors of State. The Senate by message announced con currence, and the House having voted, ad journed. SENATE. THucsDAy,iDec. 6, 18GG. PENITENTIARY. committees were received and Reports from hied. . Mr. Garb, from the committee on the Peniten tiary, reported a bill from the eommittea on that subject, looking to the establishment of a State Penitentiary. HOWARU AMEXnilENT. Mr. Leach from the committee on so much of the Governor's Message as refers to the proposed Constitutional Amendment, submitted a resolu tion rejecting the Amendment with a report (we lay the report before our readers in another col umn.) It was ordered to be printed and made the special order for Thursday next. COMTTBOLLEE. Four ballots were had for Comptroller, the last resulting in the election of Mr. Burgin, of Bun combe. Messrs. Cowper and Holderby were with drawn, and the voting narrowed down between Meesrs. Burgin and Brogden. Mr. Bnrgin lost a leg at Malvern HilL CHEBAW A5D COALFIELDS EAILEOAD. Mr. Jones' bill to grant aid to the Cheraw and Coalfields Railroad, was considered on the eecond reading. Messrs. Jones and Covington briefly sup ported the bilL , Mr. Hall opposed it at length. He regretted, be ing a friend of Internal Improvements, and repre senting a constituency greatly in favor of develop ing the great resources of the State and (doing all in their power to aid the great works of improve elected, and it ment contemplated in the State, to oppose the bill always supported and voted for the works of In ternal Improvements of the State. For the eecond time only they were compelled to come forward in opposing one. The first was what is . known as the "Danville Connection." Mr. H. briefly show ed the evils resulting from the building of thia road. It was the first serious blow that had been given to the great system of Internal Improye msnts adopted by thia State, and in which so much money had been exhaused. In our zeal to build up railroads, the interest of the State must not be overlooked. Tho portion of the State notjdrained, through Virginia, was not proposed to be drained through South Carolina. The great wealth of the coal region was admitted, but tho outlet by railroad to Fayetteville and thence by water was the cheapest and best outlet the coal and iron could possibly have. The question of through travel was alluded to. The meagre travel which now passes through the State by two lines was desired to be subdivided again to tho great detriment of all. Mr. Hall pictured the bright future in store for the State if her system ot Internal Improvements could be completed when tho rich productions of the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio found the wav to the markets of the world over our railroads and through our imports, and were sup plied in return with the products of the West In dies. . Mr. Hall reviewed the subject of the railroad system of the State wid entered his earnest pro test against buch a suicidal policy as was contem plated by this bill. It would not only direct trade from our own State, but cross and stop one of the most important roads in the State. Mr. Wiggins sustained Mr. Hall, and ably advo cated the subject of the bill. Messrs. Leach and Speed replied to Mr. Hall at some length Tenrlinsr the discussion, the Senate adjourned. The following is the vote for Comptroller on the last ballot : For Mr. Bnrgin Messrs. Speaker, Adams, Avery, Barnes, Clark, Cowks, Edwards, Ferebee, Gash, Hall, Hand, Hill, Johnston, Jones, Love, Lloyd, Matthews, McCorkle, McLane, McRae, Moore, Perkins, liobins, Speed, Spencer, Thomp son, Thornton and Wilson 28. For Mr. Brogden Messrs. Battle, Berry, Brown, Bullock, Covington, Cunningham, Etheridge, Harris, of Franklin, Harris, of liuthcrford, Kelly, Koonce, Leach, Marshall, Paschel, Kc-spass, llich ardson, Snead, Wiggins, Willey and Williams 20. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Tiil-bsday, Dec. 6, 18GG. Mr. Lone presented memorials from citizens of Stanly and Union counties asking relief. Referred to the committee on Propositions and Grievances. Mr. Garriss from the committee that superin tended the election held on yesterday for six Coun sellors of State, reported the election of Wra. Eaton, Jr., of Warren. No other election. KESOLUTIONS AND KIL1S. Mr. Davis introduced a resolution in favor of Hon. A. S. Merrimon. A message was received from the Senate, trans mitting tho following engrossed resolution, which passed its several readings under a suspension of the rules : Resolution authorizing the Governor to accept the aid proffered by tho United States Government. REMAINS OV N. C. SOLDIERS. Mr. Latham of Craven, introduced a resolution that the committee on Military Affairs inquire as to the practicability and expediency of recovering and reioterriiig tho remains of N. C. soldiers who fell in the late war. Adopted. By Mr. Latham, of Washington, a bill to amend section 1st, chapter 20, Acts of 18C5-'66, in rela tion to roads, Jerries and bridges. This bill passed its several readings under a suspension of the rules. It repeals the provision requiring persons over 45 years of age to work on the public road?. By Mr. Bright, a bill to allow persons convicted of crimes and misdemeanor, whe are unable to nay the costs to work the costs out on the public roads. By Mr. Durham, a bill to amend sec. 1, chap. 7, Itevlsed C )de. By Mr. Alli n, a bill to incorporate Black Rock Lodge, No. 135 in the county uf Brunswick. By inr. Davis, a bill to amend an act to prevent wilful trespass on lands and stealing property therefrom. By Mr. Guess, a bill to extend the jurisdiction ot Justices ot the Peace. By Mr. Black, a bill to prevent litigation and the ruinous sacrifice of the property of honest debtors. By Mr. Everett, a bill in relation to dormant judgments. Jo prevent sales upon executions issued on such judgements. By Mr. Baker, a bill to render valid a sale here tofore made of the old jail lot in the town of Tar boro', ond for other purposes. BILLS ON SECOND READING. A bill providing Homestead, was rejected un der an unfavorable report from the Judiciary com mittee. A bill for the relief of the people was laid on the table under a like report. A bill concjrning working the public roads Exacting such work from males between the ages of 15 ami 55 j was amended so as to apply only to the county of Caswell, and was then rejected. COMPTROLLER. On motion of Mr. Lowe a message was sent to the Senate proposing that the two Houses proceed to elect Comptroller. The names of Messrs. Holderby, Love and Cow per having been withdrawn, and those of Messrs. Burgin and Cowles nominated, a message was re ceived from the Senate announcing its concur rence, and the House proceeded to vote. The joint vote on this ballot stood, Brogden GO, Burgin 62, Cowles 8(5. Whole vote 158. Necessa ry to a choice SO. No election. Mr. Russ presented a memorial from members ot tho colored Baptist Church, cf tho City of Ral eigh, praying the grant of a portion of the public square, known as tho Baptist Grove, on which to erect a house of worship. Referred to the com mittee on public grounds ani buildings. A second ballot was had for Comptroller, result ing as follows : Wholo vote 155. Necessary to choice 78, Burgin 62, Brogden 53, Cowles 10. No election. Mr. llutchin (by leave) introduced a bill to cm power the County Court of Mecklenburg to hold extra terms. A bill to enable tho Western railroad company to complete its road from the Coal Fields in Chath am county, to some point on the North Carolina railroad, failed to pass its third reading by a vote of 45 Yeas, 53 Nays. A third ballot was had for Comptroller, resulting as follows : Wholo vote 150. Necessary to a choice 80. Burgin 70, Brogden 57, Cowles 31, Scattering 1. No election. A fourth ballot was had with the following re sult, the name of Col. Cowles, having been with drawn from nomination : Whole vote 157. Neces S ry to a choice 70. Burgin 80. Mr. Brogden 57, Mi-. Cowl s 3. Mr. Burgin elected. For Mr. Brogden : Messrs. Ashworth, Autry, Barden, Beasley, Black, Blair, Ely the, Blight, Cir son, Everett, Farrow, Galloway, "Garriss, Godwin, Hinnant, Horton, of Watauga, Horton, of Wilkes, Houston, Jenkins, of Gaston, Jenkins, of Gran ville, Jordan, Kendall, Lowe, Lyon, McArthur, Mc Gougan, McNair, Moore, ot Chatham, Morton, Murrili, Perry, of Wake, Rogers, Roeebro, Roun tree, Scoggin, Scott, Shclton, Smith, of Duplin, Smith, of Guilford, Teague, Trull, Vestal, Wilson, of Forsyth, Wilson, of Perquimans, Williams, of lancey, womme, Woodard, loik. 47 Ii CI of Rowan, Dargan. Daniel, Davis, Davidson, Dur ham, loard, Irceman, Ganibril, Gorham, Gran berry, viuess, Harding, Harper, Henderson, Hod r ett, Holderby, Hutchison, Jones, Kelsey, Kenan, Latham, of Craven, Latham, of Waslr'ngton, Lee, May, McClaminy, McKay, McRae, Moore, of Hert ford, Morehead,MoiTisett,Nca), l'atton, Bernhardt, Richardson, Russ, Simpson, Stone, Sudderth, Tiuubull, Umstcad, Walker, Waugh. Westmore land, Whitfield, Whitley, Williams, of Harnett, Williams, of Martin, Williams, of Pitt 61. Mr. Lutterloh voted for Mr. Cowles 1. Tho House then adjourned. Repudiation. Tho following is an extract from Gov ernor Pierpont's message to the Legisla ture. The Governor is discussing the stay law of Virginia, and adds : I have been pained to hear that many well in formed men, in different partr of the State, have been discussing the subject of repudiating, in whole or in part, private debts. The discussion of this subject can be only productive of evil ; it tends to weaken the sense of moral obligation, and destroy coL'.idence between the members of the community. The charge against any man that he had refused to pay his just individual debts, whnst he retained a large amount of real and per sonal estato, would be offensive; yet the objectseems to be to secure the passago of a general law to jus tify private repudiation. But this is all impossible. You cannot pass any law to impair the obligation of contracts. Devices have been resorted to in oth er States to shield property from sale by having valuations made, and forbidding the sale, unless the property should sell for one-half or two-thirds of the valuation. These laws have all been de clared unconstitutionsl by tho highest courts of the United States. All laws that have for their ob ject the postponement of the collection of debts, are odious to creditors ; and it is doubtful how far a law would be sustained by the courts' that ex empted specified amounts of real and personal property from execution for debts contracted be fore the passage of the law ; and there is danger m passing stay laws that look to long postpone ments of executions, that they may be construed y i?? iCOurt3 to come under the constitutional prohibition against impairing the obligation for contracts. Hon. E. McCook, U. S. Minister resident at Hawaii, arrived at San Francisco in the U. S. steamer Vanderbilt on Monday. He returns on account of hiswwife's health "Which ia very poor, ror Mr. Jinrgm Messrs. Sneaker. Allen. Baker. ioyd, Bowe, Bradshcr. Brown. Brvson. Cliadwiclc. ark, Clements, Crawford, of Macon. Crawford. Repudiation. It affords os much pleasure to lay lefore our readers the following paper presented by the Grand Jury of Brunswick county to the County Court, which was held at Smith ville in said county this week. We are gratified to see the subject of re pudiation thus taken in hand by those who hav3 the right to present their views on public matters. That the Jury should have come to the laudable conclusion they have, we are not surprised. They show to the world an honest purpose, and in thus expressing themselves, they leave the great est legacy to their children to posterity they could possibly bestow. Wo should like to have the views of every Grand Jury in the State upon the same subject, and we hope the jury to assemble here next week will take this matter under consider ation. It will afford us pleasure to print their opinions in these columns: Orniitwick County, IV. C, State of Noirrn Cabolixa, ) Brunswick County. J Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Decern her Term, 18GG. The Grand Jurors of the county of Bruns wick aforesaid, present to the Court now in session, that they deem it proper at this time to give expression to their unanimous opinion upon a question which vitally af fects the interest and honor of the State of North Carolina. They refer to the ques tion of repudiation. They cannot bring themselves to believe that any considerable number of the people of this State favor the repudiation of private or public debts. But there are those who have unadvisedly agitated this question. The Grand Jury desire to promulgate as the sentiment of the people of the county of Brunswick, that every honest debt of the State, as well as the citizens thereof, should be honestly discharged. They are sensible that the terrible ravages of war and the loss and destruction of property resulting therefrom, have greatly impaired the means of our people, and consequently their abil ity at present to meet promptly their obli gations; but the war has left us our honor unimpaired, and this wo cannot consent to surrender. The Grand Jury, impressed with the great importance of. the subject, and charged, as they are, to inquire into all matters affecting the welfare of the country, feel themselves called upon to make this presentment of their views, be ing satisfied that if the people of the State had it in their power to repudiate their contracts, that such a policy would be ru inous and destructive of their best inter ests, and remain a standing reproach to North Carolina. They trust that the Le gislature may bo able to afford to the debt or some relief by allowing him time to di s charge his obligations, but they believe that the public interest will be subserved, and the public credit, to a great extent, re stored by a declaration of that honorable body, that under no circumstances will North Carolina repudiate her debts, and that every obligation assumed by her shall be fully and faithfully performed. It was ordered by the Court, that thi ? presentment made by tho Grinl Jury should be received by the Court, and by them ordered to be spread ui)ou the min utes of the Court, together with the names of tho Grand Jury who presented tho same. The following is the closing paragraph of a column editorial in the New York Herald of the 3d instant, headed " The Meeting of Congress." "There is no sign as yet of a purpose among the radicals to try the estreno measure of tho Presi dent's impeachment, nor do we fear any great evils to the country from thia new squabble over the President's patronage. It may result in eo pruning down the Executive office in the matter of the spoils as to relievo it to a vast extent of those appliances of party corruption which, since the time of General Jackson, have more or h ss controlled all our Presidential elections. Here, indeed, is a great field for reform a Held in which the most acceptable and the best work may be done in the purification of our whole political sys tem. In conclusion, we fear no disastrous con sequences to the country from the reassembling of Congress, not even in the proposed reconstruc tions of tho present pernicious system of dist f u sing the spoils. We only hope that the revision will be broader and deeper than the superficial changes proposed by Mr. Stevens, so that our Presidential elections will cease to be a game ot party gamblers for the spoils in the President's hands." Verily, the signs of the times begin to show that the pruning knife is having its edge put on. The proceedings of Congress on Tuesday, as telegraphed to tho Press and published yesterday morning, leave but little doubt that the radicals will com pletely ignore tho Constitution of tho Union, and leave the President with the mere name without power to do anything. If tho programme piojected by Sumner, Stevens and others, should be carried out, the Executive of the Nation will be a mere machine to do tho bidding of fanaticism, hatred and revenge towards the South. The Tribune on Mr. IuvU. Notwithstanding Greeley's monomania on the subject of universal suffrage, his mind still has its lucid intervals, as rshown in the following extract from the Tribune of 30th ult : "I am for Universal Amnesty so far as immunity from fear of punishment or con fiscation is concerned even though Im partial Suffrage should for the present be resisted and defeated. I did think it de sirable that Jefferson Davis should bo ar raigned and tried for treason ; and it still seems to mo that this might properly have been done many months ago. But it was not done then ; aud now I believe it would result in far more evil than good. It would rekindle passions that have nearly burned out or been hushed to sleep ; it would fear fully convulse and agitate the South ; it would arrest the progress of reconciliation and kindly feeling there ; it would cost a large sum directly and a far larger indi rectly ; and unless the jury were scanda lously packed it would result in a non agreement or no verdict. I can imagino no good end to be subserved by such a trial, and holding Davis no better nor worse than thousands of others would have hin treated as they are." IhejGovernment has been infomrally not i fied that the French troops in Jexico me to be speedily removed. Tho delay is ex plained in a statement that tho troops had been so pressed by the Liberal forces as t create a military necessity, rendering it im possible to carry out the original intention of sending the ti-oops home in three de tachments. They will now be sent together. Jaxiniilian, at last accounts, was sti! tit Orizaba, being detained by the French of ficials, who demand a formal abdication. In tho United States Circuit Court at Providence, Wednesday, ltobort Crowe, convicted of murder on the high seas, was sentenced to be hung Friday, March 1, 1867. As Bhode Island abolished capita! punishment many years ago, this sentence may be carried into effect at Fort Adams or Dutch Island territory under United States jurisdiction. In the Alabama Stato Legislature, on the 19th instant, a bill was passed providing for the appointment of a Judge of the Pro bate Court of Jbbile county, who is to act until Admiral Semtnes, or his successor, is, or may bo permitted or enabled to dis charge the duties of that office. n
Wilmington Journal [1844-1895] (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 13, 1866, edition 1
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