The North-Carolina standard., 1850-07-13

Assembly shall not be required to meet oftener thar
once in t,co years. and that their number shall be
duced from 1893 to 1877. ':
In the early period Of our Independence before tn.
States of America had formed their I" more perfec
Union," before the people had become settled into
habits of selgovernment, the annual meeting of the
Legislature was both wise and necessary but in ou
day 1t is most unnecessary tax upon the public and
serious obstacle to wholesome permanent legisla
ton for the people barely informed of the acts
of one Assembly before the succeeding Lawmakers
have repealed or modified them. The reform that is
here proposed will diminish the expenses of the
State more than $4,000 dollars annually. A clear
saving of 900 dollars per year, is equal to reduc
ton Of the taxes third, and yet some have put
their resistance to reform of the Constitution up
the real pretended apprehension of increase
of the taxes. 1t is astonishing with what tenacty
men will sometimes adhere to power, in opposition to
their interests, well against the just rights
of others. The minority are now striving to mai n.
tain it in North Carolina, while its exercise is sub.
versve of the rights of two thirds of the people,
and costs that minority more than it is WORTH Under
the influence of some cabalistc party phrase, they
deceived into apprehensons that this majority
demanding their rights for the mere purpose of prac-
tising oppression on others. But it is impossible
that this majority in State shall oppress the mnori
ty of the people by taxation. If tsvo thirds impose
burden of one hundred dollars the minority, it
hundred dollars. And a reform of our Constitution
must diminish the expenses of the Government. and
of necessity reduce the public burdens of the people.
We wish intelligent people to mark these facts:
that for 25 years, our General Assembly has cost
4O, 900 dollars per year. Here is expenditure of
one million, when half the amount, might have been
saved that for IS years to come, this expenditure
must again be incurred and yet, prudent foresight
will enable US to diminish it one half; that the
Treasurer of the State, in his last annual report,
of the State has not been adequate to the pur
pose of deaying the necessary expense Of the govern
ment, but the deficit has varied from 900 to II 900
dollars per year; that the sources which have sup
piled this deficiency, have been uctuatng and tenn
porary in their natuIe and of ate nearly discon-
tinued." What Statesman-what intelligent man
will say, that this be prudently allowed or safe
ly continued in State? But it has heen allowed,
and must be continued, unless the expenses OF the
Legislature decreased, the of the People
increased. We may leave il for you to determine,
which course is TO be preferred. Unless the people
shall do the one, their Representatives must do the
other. Policy may induce them to put this burden on
the people in some disguised form. and to conceal
the application of their only remedy for the disease
that has been hidden for many years. but that it
must be imposed, is inevitable, except by reform
Of the Constitution. The necessary erpenses of wise
government should be met by her ordinary retenue.
people who are properly vigilant of their rights,
cannot permit it to be otherwise. Assuming that
these {" many gears" include no more than IS then
what have been the fruits of thrftless policy
We have consumed over, and besides the whole Or
dinary revenue, dollars in the necessary ex-
penses of the government. Had we adopted this re-
form 25 years ago. the funds OF our State treasury,
would, now, exceed million of dollars! Defer it
IS years longer, and the end Of that period will find
the State yet more depressed than she is. We are
not complaining of extravagant compensation to our
public officers; they are faithful workmen. worthy
Of their hire. The evil is, that the aborers of
the vineyard are too many-the work Of the people
may be better done, and much more economically
performed by 1877 labore:s, than by 1873. The re-
sponsibilities of Legislators for this State, are too
much divided to be felt properly, and the honor of
successful public exertons is unwisely diminished
by partition among l99. Who has not heard COM
plants, that laws fucuating, that our Cen
eral Assembly sits too long. and public expenses
are increased! These evils exist, and have been
falsely attributed to want of virtue in the people of
the present generation, and defect Of talent among
those who serve them. We have hesitation in
saying that they will be removed by diminishing the
number of representatives, establishing fair basis
of equal representation, and making the Assemblies
less frequent.
In the 32nd .Artiek Of our Constitution, there Is
odious REsTRlcrIoN UPON CoNscIENcE.-by excluding
from public trust all persons who denv the Proes-
tant faith. We are Protestants, and therefore we
can have no personal interest in the abrogation OF this
restriction. But will it be expected Of US at this day
to offer arguments in favor of religious liberation
We hope and believe not.
1t is disgrace to any free people, to tyranze over
the consciences of others. 1t is gross oppression,
and undeserved imputation against the patriotism
and public virtues of the Catholics of North Caro-
na preserve any longer this badge of our fathers
preiudces. The article ITSELF is in conflict with our
Bill of Rights when it declares That all men have
natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty
God, according to the dictates of their own con-
sciences"
The friends of reform, have also proposed an
amendment to the Constitution, which will put the
election of Governor into the hands of the People
The Executive chair Of this State. ought to be the
highest post that the people can offer to the most pa
triotic of her citizens. 1t is not esteemed. But
make the station independent by putting the election
with the people, and we shall have done much to-
wards it. Custom has now made it reproach to
Governor, be reelected after his first appoint-
ment, and hence the high Independence which prop
ery belongs to coordinate branch of our Govern
ment, is sacrificed to desire for popularity among
the members Of the Assembly. We do not affirm
that it is always but it has that tendency; for he
must be less than patriot, who is not afraid
to incur public disgrace Is the Office of Governor,
oftener coveted for its own honors sake, step
ping stone to other stations of preerment in the gift
Of the Legislature! Does it comport with the dig
nity Of the Office, that the incumbent shall be forced
TO win it by personal electoneering among the mem-
bers of the Assembly? Our fathers have wisely
thought that the Executive and Legislative depart
ments of the Government should be kept separate
and distinct" and what evil can arise, from not OBJ
serving this fundamental principle, that has been
felt in our own State! Moreover, the time of the
Legislature is unnecessarily consumed, in canvass.
inc for the Office and the harmony of councils is
disturbed by the frequency of this contest. .and
uhv uaay not the People cet their o,on Governor? He
n iir servant and should be directly accountable
them for the faithful execution Of his trust. Taey
have not clothed him with patronage, that he can use
to corrupt their elections-they have not invested
him with power the independent discharge of which
can be. in any way incompatible with thoir rghtte