Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-01-08

cation was remnant Of feudal times, when it was
necessary to the peace aud safety OF the country that
the political power should rest with the land-holders.
1t was then inducement to men hecome setl-
ers. But now the world had improved, and there
was no danger in trusting an equal weight of po-
cal power every person. He called on members
from all sections consider that the basis OF repre-
sentation q compromise established in the Com
venton of 1885. In that Convention the East and
the West had their champions. 1t was settled prin
cipe that taxation and representation should 60 to-
gether. He thought limited Convention, such as
Proposd by the gentleman from Her'ford, 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. 10 amend
by calling Convention in the ,uanner proposed by
the bills before the House, was more impracticable
than by legislative enactment.
Mr.. Gotten looked upon this property qualification
Of voters remnant Of feudal times, and an,i-demo
cratic. No qualification was required by the Con-
stitution of the United States for President, Sena
tors, members of the lower House, members
of the judiciary Department Of the Government.
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 Consti-
lutions 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 " no were wealthy, who factories and give
employment 20 large numbers of operatives, and are
usefu men in the communities in which they reside,
cannot vote because they do not possess forty acres
of land. Even one Of the old "knapsacks' Of the
Revolution, who had foughtand bied 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 i. singular that the peo lie
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
they were safe in the hands of the people. He in
tended pull this fifty Of land out of the Con-
stuion. If ii could be got cut in other way,
he should go for open Convention.
| On motion, the House took recess to - o'clock
in the evening.
EVENING SESSION.
| The House assembled according 10 adjournment.
and the subject under consideration during the
| ming, was resumed.
| Mr.. Drake addressed the House in favor Of Con-
venton. He wished the Constitution to be amended
in other respects besides equal suffrage.
Mr.. Leach said that not proposition had been Of
fcred TO amend the Constitution, which would pass
the two Houses the present session. The Cons,itu-
ton would not he changed.
| Mr.. Webb defined his position in 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. Fosier,)
to call open Convention.
Mr.. Person of Moore, called for division Of the
question.
Mr.. Cherry moved call Of the House, which mo-
,ion prevailed. THE roll being called, all answered
TO their names except Messrs. Canton, Dargan. Far
mer, Hill of New Hanover, and Person OF North
ampton, who were absent from the City sick, and
| for whom excuses were offered.
! Mr.. Foster Of Davidson, said he should now do
what he had given notice do some time since. with
draw the amendment he had offered. He wished
each proposition to stand on its merits, and lie
assured gentlemen that he should renew his amend
ment after the amendment proposed by the gentleman
from Herford Mr.. Rayner) should be disposed of.
| NJ. Avery called for divsun OF the motion 80 as
/ 10 take the vote first on striking out.
| Mr.. Hackney moved an amendment to the amend
ment offered by Mr. Rayncr, to strike and insert
clause to provide that the Convention, which his
bill proposed to call, should also change the Consti-
tuition to elect Judges, Public Treasurer, Secre
tary of State Comptroller and Justices of the Peace
by the people.
Mr.. Saunders Of Wake said, that those who offer
ed amendments, desirous of defeating the bill.
He should vote against all Of them. Gentlemen
the other side might attempt to succeed through
trick, but he assured them that he Tor should vote
down every amendment, whatever its provisions were,
in order to get at the Equal Suffrage bill reported
from the committee.
NJ. Hackney said there 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 10 give
every election to the people.
The Speaker, in answer TO an inquiry. stated that
the motion was divsibIe, whereupon Mr.. Avery call
ed for division of the question.
Mr. Rayner stated that his bill proposed 10 call
Convention to consider Equal Suffrage alone; Mr..
Hackney proposed that the Convention, when called,
should consider various other amendments.
MIR. Avery said he should vote against every amend
ment, in order to get a; the equal suffrage bill.
The question then taken striking out,
! which was negativsd-ayes 81, nays 6O. So the
House refused to strike out.
The question then REQUIRED the amendment offer
ed by the gentleman from Hertford (Mr. Rayner) TO
call limited COnrenfi0n. division OF the question
being called for the House voted first striking ont
The motion was lost-ayes ~, nays 6S, as follows:
YEAs-Messrs. Adams, Amis. Barnes of North
ampton, Boyle, Caldwell of Gniltord, Caldwell of
Rowan, Campbell, Cherry, Davidson, Douthii, Drake,
Foster of Wilkes, Hackney. Hayes Of Cherokee,
Hayes of Caldwell, Hill Of Brunswick, Holland.
Leach IF Davidson, Locke, Maul,sby, Mckoy, Nc
Cires, McMillan, Parham, Psott, Poole, Rayner,
Russell. Scott. Shinpock. Ser. Simmons, Soan
Steele; Thornburgh, T'ipP, Walton, Webb' Wig
gins Wiley, Williams OF Gresne-46
NAys-Messrs. Avery, Barco. Barnes of North
ampton Blow, Bond. Boykin. Brazier Bridges, Brog-
den, Cockertam, Cotton, Dickinson, Durham, Ed
ton, Fleming, Flynt, Fonville, Gordon, Harrison,
Herring Hill of Casweil, Jarvis, Jenkins, Johnston.
Jones, kallu,n, Kelly, Leach OF Johnst N, Love,
MARSHALL, Martin, Mathis, Mcdowell, Mclean, n.
McNeil, W. McNeili, Mizel, Montgomery, New
som, Patterson, Psgram, Person of Moore, Pope,
Powers, Rankin, Reinhardt, Rollins, Ruifin, San
ders of Johnston, Saunders Of Wake, Sanderson
Sharp, Sheek, Sheriff., Sherari, Stevenson, Stowe
Stubbs, Sutton. Swanner, Taylor, rhigpen, Thorn
ton, Waugh, Williams Of MecklsmLuryh, Wilson.
| Winstead, Winston-68.
! So the motion strike out, in order insert the
bill to call limited CSnsenfion did not prevail
L ucI IN,s al>o IL