North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-04
SPEECH OF WILLIAM W. AVERY, ESQ.
OF BURKE,

Upon the subject Of Constitutional Reform, delivered
in the House of Commons, on w ednesday, the
18th December, 1880
Mr.. SPEAKER: The bill reported by the commit
tee proposes to amend the Constitution by legsla-
tive enactment, as TO remove the freehold qualh-
cation required from voters for Senators, and permit
all persons who qualified electors for members OF
the House of Commons &c vote likewise for SENATORS
: The amendment of the gentleman from Hartford,
(Mr Rayner.) proposes to submit the question to the
people, whether they will have limited Convention
to effect the object contemplated oy the pill
and provides for the election of delegates and their
assemblage in Convention, in case the people shall
respond favorably the proposition.
The amendment offered by the gentleman from
Davidson, (Mr. Foster.) is proposition Tor an un-
limited Convention, and provides that the people
shall decide at the polls, whether they desire Con
yenon to reform the Constitution of the State; and
if thew decide in favor of Convention, provision is
then made for the election of delegates, who will be
vested with full and plenary to revise and re-
model the whole organic law OF the State.
These propositions present grave and momentous
questions for consideration, and their decision,
in aspects, might create much sensation In
North Carolina. | have considered them with much
elaboration, and having formed my opinion to the
course which il is my duty to pursue with reference
to the amendments, desire to express that opinion
without reserve.
/ am in favor of the original bill, and with the
view of securing its passage, shall march directly
forward, aud vote down all propositions offered by.
way of amendment; the pending amendments or
any others of the same PurPor can have no other ef
feet, whatever may be the purpose of the movers,
than to defeat the proposed amendment to the Const-
tuton-for an amendment may be adopted, and The
essential features of the bill stricken out, by bare
majority of the members present. But the bill amend
ed could not then pass, without the concurrng vote
of two thirds of both Houses. Now, every person,
who is familiar with the composition of this Assem-
bly,, and has observed the sensveness exhibited by
many of its members touching the basis of represen
ation, and their manifest apprehension that the
promises of the Constitution might be disturbed,
must know that bill for unlimited Convention
cannot receive of the votes of either House
at this time and from present indications, bill of
that kind will not command such vote in our Leg
islaure within the next two years. A bill for linn |
tied Convention must likewise encounter such oppo-
ston, for which will assign hereafter, that
it cannot receive vote of twO-thrds. Wherefore,
then, are these amendments presented and insisted
upon by their authors Are the gentlemen VINO adj |
vocae them the friends Of Equal Suffragel l main
tain they are not, and the course they pur-
suing, independent of other evidence of opposition on
their part will Justify me in making the allegation
Sir, the gentleman from Davidson (Mr. Foster) I
has declared that the people desire change in the
Constitution out what those changes are, or whether
he is himself DESTROYS that the Constitution shou Id
be amended in the particular proposed, is matter in
relation to which We not enlightened and with
outa disclosure from him. warranted in making
the inference that he is hostile the proposition con-
tanned in the bill because the adoption of his amend
will tionably defeat any legislative action
Rayner) is likewise opposed to Equal Suffrage and O
all other changes in the organic law if the records of
last session can be relied upon furnishing an index
of his opinions upon these questions. D
Such being the views of those gentlemen must q
regard their amendments covert attacks upon the
principle involved in the bill, and intended as mere
parliamentary sratagems to prevent any movement BY
he present Legislature constitutional REFORM t.
This mode OF warfare may be fair and legitimate and
is sustained by the usages of deberave bodies and tc
when successful, is regarded as tumph of mere h
act, and as emitting those who pull the wires TO
enown commensurate with the extent of the oppos II
Ion existing IN the public mind to the measure thus
ieeaed but if the device is exposed an the scheme II
all, such failure must always recoi, and will tend ul- Ell
lnaely to advance the very proposition which had W
'een thus resisted. The bill and amendments how W
ever, would seem 10 casual observer as involving ~
'ny different modes of eecng the same obeoa and
IS presenting the enquiry, whether the people of in
Worth Carolina are favorable the abrogation of the
teenod quahhcaon OF electors for Senator and if
o. IN "hat manner they would prefer that this mod ed
hcaon should be made. For the sake of aruument 10
VIII consider these subjects for the present in thai ar
spect. " '' T.
contend that man, who has observed passino or
Vens IN this State, during the last two years can tn
ntealn doubt; as to popular opinion upon the sinh eli
eel OF reform and as to the particular proposition now
eore u.s. confidently assert thatthe people of Worth to
'arolina would decide In It's favor if submitted To So
lem, by majority oftwenty-fvs thousand The ev w
ence which could be adduced establish the trutb t
my assertion, is abundant and conclusive The Io
citation OF the question of Equal Suffrage nj
Nv years ago. and so strong the current of oh
~ III IT'S iaVor even at the outset, that We
w men who were candidates for either Honsa of ~.
e Assembly were able, had the moral courag- ~ sn
SSt H. The popular branch of the last C;sneraI r.r
ssenbly passed bill by vote of three.6fibs tin
aklng provision for this amendment but il fiIeJ hi
obtain the requisite vote in the Senate Evaru m
ess In the State SO far as am advised without dis
ncon as to lis party bias, has either advocated this
OF oeen forced by public opinion 10 admit the of
oHlsty OF such change in the Constitution The STR
onVenuons OF both the great political parties when ms
senoeo Tor the purpose of nominating candidate. ho
Governor PrOmug gated their views in rsia,;o i e
Is quesuon, and both parties Were then underotJ he
id'ofing II. The candidates who were nomin,,ad v;
.ne respective parties for the office of Governor ev
'' came Out unreservediy for this reform, and al
ost every member returned to this LaoisI,,nro =
rded by the people friendly to the nrnc;no &c d u
iud' SuHrdge Can there exist any s,ronoer 90; ~
nee snort OF direct and overwheImnr ~ r. IL;
popular sentiment on any subject than the indi cos
lions, Just enumerated, exhibit ~ 0t' oo'
The people OF the State have mt onl -; 'uIt
evidence that they wish this amenj,ro., S o"u
stations have bn IL =" my opinion, the man- s.
= ln".'n"! IN which that amendment should he in lion
orm in every nor,; e ~ 1 Inc advocates of dist
people the provisions of the Constitnrinr .u, ol
y " us amendment, and have directed their go,
q" u tns clauSe providing that any part of H. =;
anenl may De amended by Legislative enac,mon, W.,
II' re .olPs ana ceremonies therein prescribed r
ndve, IN almost every instance IMPRESSED - r =
'r minds the conviction that the mod 49, upon iron
eo' ana that only, would be the plan oramenJS oJ
seS'eu anu advocated before this LepisIarnro @
1dra no'hng In affirming, thcn that conven,ion c.
Pu'Pose OIL eHectIng this reform was not serionI 80
cusseo or advocated in ten Connties d;y uho
campaign, and that the people vii ts 'he 10
nc as'ounoed at having proposition snhm,,I. ina
~ .Vs no'1hg Convention, than have been ,ho not