N.C. Gen. Stat. § 123-4: Power of presiding officer.

The presiding officer of the Senate shall have power:

(1) To direct all necessary preparations in the Senate chamber.

(2) To make and issue by himself or by the clerk of the Senate all orders, mandates, writs, and precepts authorized by law or by the Senate.

(3) To direct all the forms of procedure during the trial not otherwise specially provided for.

(4) To decide in the first instance, without a division, all questions of evidence and incidental questions; but the same shall, on demand of one fifth of the members present, be decided by yeas and nays. (1868-9, c. 168, s. 5; Code, s. 2927; Rev., s. 4627; C.S., s. 6247.)