North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-04

having received injury from the Raleigh and Gas
Rail Road Referred to the committees on the Ju-
dietary. =. $50 .,.>
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, message was sent to
the Senate proposing into the election of Coun-
cillors Of State on Monday next, at IL O'Clock.
Mr.. Webb, a resolution that both Houses adjourn
sine die the 18th instant which was laid on the table,
Mr.. Caldwell, resolution in favor of the Board
of SuPefintendants of Common schools rs. N ;Eoge-
Board Ito nav to said counties interest in the School
fund allotted to them and not drawn when the distf
button was first made. Referred to the committee
on Education. -ss sr.a+
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.
On motion of Mr.. Rayner the unfinished business
of yesterday taken up, being the bill to amend
the Constitution, with the amendments thereto.
Mr.. Winston made an able argument in favor of
Equal Suffrage, and in opposition to calling I'M
limited Convention. This amendment of the Con-
stitution not necessarily connected with change
of the basis: 1t was neither an eastern nor wes-
tern measure, and he was in favor of IT, Its adop-
ton would alarm no section, and ne thought wo 9id
put quietus upon the sectional agitation which
threatened u.s. 1t was right that all men should enjoy
the same rights. If the State became very populous,
there would not be land enough to make every citi-
zen Senate voter. The East wouldenever consent
to change of the basis, and he did not believe
limited Convention could be called in century. In
reply to question proposed by his colleague Mr..
Cherry whether his constituents were in favor of
amending the Constitution, he said he did know
he rather Of opinion that they were opposed to
it. But he believed it was right that the Constu-
ton should De amended in This particular, and he
|. should vote for it.
Mr.. Person, of Moore, followed. This question
ought have fair full and deliberate discussion.
He did believe the Constitution had reached that
point of perfection when no amendments would ever
be required Fhe Constitution of State required to
to be imp roved the people improve. He was not
willing to give to the trainers of the Constitution,
althoug Oh they wise men, wisdom sufficient to
erect Constitution for all time. This land qualif-
cation was remnant of feudal times, when it was
necessary the peace and safety of the country that
the political power should rest with The land-holders.
1t was then inducement to men to become settl-
ers. But now the world had improved, and there
was danger in trusting an equal weight OF polltl-
cal power to every person. He called on members
from all sections consider that the basis of repre-
sentation was compromise established In the Con-
vention of 1885. In that Convention the East and
the West had their champions. 1t was settled prn-
cpe that taxation and representation should 60 to-
4 gether. He thought limited Convention, such as
proposed by the gentleman from Hartford, would af-
ford opportunity for the exercise OF talent. No
talent would be required because the delegates would
come instructed what to do. He was in favor of
] amendment by Legislative enactment. To amend
by-caliing Convention in the manner proposed by
the bills before the House, more impracticable
than by Legislative enactment
MIR. Gotten looked upon this property qualification
of voters as remnant of feudal times, and anti-demo-
cratic No qualification required by the Con-
st,ution of the United States for President, Sena
tors, members of the lower House, or members
of the Judiciary Department Of the Government.
j The rule had been established in the great
States of New York and Pennsylvania. The world
is growing older. and if not growing wiser, we are
living to little purpose. He alluded to the Const-
buttons of Virginia. South Carolina and Rhode Is
land, and asserted that North Carolina bears harder
upon her poor citizens than any other State. Yet
men who were wealthy, who own factories and give
employment 20 large numbers Of operatives, and are
useful in the communities in which they reside,
cannot because they do not possess forty acres
of land.- Even of the old knapsacks'' of the
Revolution, who had foughtand bed for the liberties
of his country, was denied the privilege of voting
for Senator He advocated the election of Judges by
the people, and thought it singular that the people
should have voice in The election of the highest
officers in the State distrust OF the people all
along this Constitution. No tyranny was more gall
ing than judicial tyranny. If Judges were honest
thew safe in the hands of the people. He In
tended pull this fifty of land out of the Con-
stitution. Ii it could be got out in no other way
he should go for open Convention.
On motion, the House took recess to 80 O'Clock
in the evening.
EVENING SESSION.
The House assembled according TO adjournment,
nd the subject under consideration during the
ming, was resumed
Mr.. Drake addressed the House in favor of e Con-
venlion.. Hewished the Constitution to be amended
in OF her respects besides equal suffrage.
Mr.. Leach said that not proposition had been Of
fered to amend the Constitution, which would pass
the two Houses the present session. The Constitu-
ton would not be changed.
Mr. w ebb defined his position in a short speech.
When he had concluded there was general call
for the question to be taken.
The Speaker stated the question to be on the amend
ment of the gentleman from Davidson (Mr Foster
to call an open Convention. -. ..-
Mr.. Person of Moore, called for division of the
= question.
Mr.. Cherry moved call of the House, which mo-
ton prevailed The roll being called, all answered
their names except Messrs. Clanton Dargan. Far
mer, Hill of New Hanover, and Person of North
ampton, who absent from the City or sick, and
for whom excuses offered.
Mr.. Foster of Davidson, said he should now do
what he had given notice to do some time since, with
draw the amendment he had offered. He wished
each proposition to stand its merits, and he
assured gentlemen that he should renew his amend
ment after the amendment proposed by the gentleman
from HEREFORD (Mr Rayner) should be disposed Of
M. Avery called for division of the motion SO as
to take the vote first on striking out.
MIR. Hackney moved an amen dment to the amend
offered by Mr.. Rayner, to strike and insert
clause TO provide that the Convention, which his
bill proposed to CALL should also change the Consti-
tary of State Comptroller and Justices of the Peace
by the people. --, &c.. -.,,.-.. =
Mr.. Saunders of Wake said, that those who offer
ed amendments, were DESTROYS of defeating the BILL
He should vote against all of them. Gentlemen on
the otherside might attempt TO succeed through some
trick but he assured them that he for one should vote
down every amendment, whatever its provisions were
in order to get at the Equal Suffrage bill reported
from the committee.
M. Hackney said there was no trick about it. He
had offered his amendment in good faith, and was in
favor of it. He had advocated these amendments
before the people of his County. He wished to give
every election to the people. H..
The Speaker, in answer to an inquiry, stated that
yyao divie Ia uhorou Mr. pAIi.