NC S256

Pardons Governor William W. Holden from the judgment imposed by the North Carolina Senate on March 22, 1871, following his impeachment and conviction.

Acknowledges Holden's support for political equality for emancipated North Carolinians and his efforts to dispatch state militia to stop Ku Klux Klan violence in Alamance and Caswell counties.

Recognizes Holden as the first governor in the United States to be removed from office and notes the impeachment vote was along party lines.

Asserts that the General Assembly possesses the inherent power to pardon impeachment judgments, as the Constitution does not delegate this pardon power to the Governor.

Becomes effective upon ratification.