The Charlotte Democrat

Legislature of North Carolina.

Tuesday, March 21.

Senate—The bill in relation to Justices of the Peace and Constables was put on its second reading. Requires every justice to enter into bond of $1,000. Passed its 2d reading.

Mr. Cowles moved to strike out $1,000 and insert $500.

Mr. Robbins of Rowan, hoped the amendment would not prevail. Any honest man can give a bond of $1,000 if he is capable for the position. The amendment was lost.

The bill then passed its third reading, 25 yeas, 20 nays.

A bill to amend an act to provide for a system of public instruction was taken up. [Provides that the capitation tax collected in each county shall be wholly applied in such county, and that the amount now in the treasury belonging to this fund be returned to the several county treasurers.]

Mr. Gilmer proposed an amendment that county commissioners, if they should think necessary, should require treasurer to give new bond from time to time, &c. Adopted.

The bill then passed its third reading.

House—The Convention Bill failed to pass by a two-thirds vote—lacking 9 votes.

Mr. Kincaid introduced a bill to change the townships in Lincoln county; referred.

On motion of Mr. McAfee, a bill to allow the Commissioners of Cleaveland county to issue bonds, was taken up and passed its 3d reading, yeas 84, nays 3.

Wednesday, March 22.

Senate—The bill to incorporate the Fair of North Carolina, (Fairs to be held in Charlotte,) passed its several readings.

The bill to amend chapter 66 of public laws of 1868-'69, passed its several readings.

The bill to amend an act to incorporate the Bank of Mecklenburg failed to pass its third reading.

Thursday, March 23.

Senate—Mr. Latham offered a resolution raising a committee of enquiry to investigate the conduct of John Pool, United States Senator from North Carolina. Adopted.

The bill concerning usury, (fixing the rate of interest at ten per cent.,) was put on its third reading. Mr. Cook favored the bill only a lower interest than was proposed.

Mr. Morehead opposed it. Mr. Graham moved to lay on the table, which prevailed. Yeas 18, nays 17.

Mr. Allen offered a resolution in favor of I. C. Edwards, (grants him per diem from the first day of the session, as he successfully contested the election of R. W. Lassiter for a seat in this body.) Adopted.

[Why should a member be paid for days that he did not serve as a Senator?]

The bill to amend chapter 166 of the public laws of 1868-'69, was considered. On motion of Mr. Morehead the bill was laid on the table.

Mr. Robbins of Rowan, moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill to amend chapter 166 of the public laws of 1868-'69 was laid on the table. He said the result of this chapter was to authorize the building of a Railroad from Greensboro to Charlotte, which would throttle the North Carolina Railroad.

Messrs. Gilmer, Jones and Worth argued against taking the Bill from the table—they thought the privilege to build a Railroad in any direction ought to be granted. Messrs. Merrimon and Love favored repealing the Act allowing a Road to be built from Greensboro to Charlotte, as it would injure the N. C. Road. But the Senate refused to reconsider and repeal the grant.

The bill to amend an act concerning the settlement of the estates of deceased persons, passed its third reading.

House—Mr. Sparrow offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That Edmund W. Jones, Judge of the Superior Court for the Second Judicial District of North Carolina, be impeached of high misdemeanors in office. The resolution was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Jordan offered a series of resolutions censuring Judge Richmond Pearson for his action in the habeas corpus matter of A. G. Moore last Summer. The resolutions were referred to the Judiciary Committee.

On motion of Mr. Waring the bill to amend the Charter of the City of Charlotte was taken up, amended and passed its third reading by a vote of yeas 54, nays 26.

On motion of Mr. Henderson the bill authorizing the Commissioners of Cabarrus county to levy a special tax, passed its second reading.

On motion of Mr. Ashe a resolution to authorize the Treasurer to borrow a sum not exceeding $200,000, at a rate of interest not exceeding eight per cent, for carrying on the State government, was adopted.

Friday, March 24.

Senate.—The Senate was occupied mainly with a bill proposing to sell the State's interest in Railroads. No definite action.

A resolution to inquire into the conduct of Senator Pool was reconsidered, amended and adopted.

House.—The resolution to allow the Treasurer to borrow $200,000 passed its third reading by a vote of yeas 79, nays 17.

The bill for the better government of the Penitentiary was considered. [The bill abolishes the present Board of Commissioners and provides for a board of Directors, to be elected by the present Legislature, to serve for a term of four years. The abolition of the present Board of Commissioners to take effect on the first Monday in April next.] Mr. Harris offered an amendment to the bill, naming the following gentlemen as the Board of Directors: Wm. Boylan and M. A. Bledsoe, of Wake; G. W. Thompson of Chatham; Alfred Dockery of Richmond, and C. H. Coffield of Harnett. The amendment was adopted.

Mr. Waring did not exactly understand the bill. He wished to know if the present costly plan was to be carried out. He understood that it would cost some $1,500,000 when completed. He did not think the people could stand such a burden. He wished to know if the bill had any provision looking to this matter. He should vote for the bill though he was opposed to the grand and costly scale on which it is proposed to erect this building, and when the revenue bill came up he would contend for the very lowest possible tax.

The bill passed by yeas 69, nays 31.