North Carolina standard., 1851-01-22


to advance or all of these measures let him keep
them separate, and let each measure stand fall up
on its own merits. This was the true course. He
should therefore vote against the proposition of the
Senator-not because he was opposed to it-but be-
cause he did not wish the question under cons idera-
tion clogged or embarrassed. -
Mr.. Speght said the proposed amendment might
be carried by bare majority, and would thus become
part of measure which it required three-i fs of
the Senate 20 adopt. This would be unjust He
concurred with the Senator from Ed dgeconbe that
these questions ought go into separate bills, and
then stand or fall upon their own intrinsic merits
Suppose all these submitted to the people
in one bill-what would be the result! Why, some
would want Equal Suffrage, but not Judges and JUS
tices by the people, and others would want Justices
by the people, and nothing else, while others would
desire Judges and be both Justices by the
people and Equal Suffrage and in this general clash
of public sentiment all these measures might be de-
feated.
Mr.. Caldwell of Burke, spoke briefly in favor of
Mr.: ,Barringer's amendment. He said he was for all
these measures in one bill. If any, all. 1t would
be as easy TO carry all of them to carry one.
| Mr.. Kelly spoke briefly to- the same effect. Mr..
Caldwell of Meckenburg, asked Mr.. Kelly if he was
! in favor of all these measures. Mr.. Kelly replied,
that if certain amendments adopted, and he
could be that agitation would cease thereafter.
his might show that the Senator from Mecklen-
burg and himself did differ very widely.
Mr.. Caldwell of Mecklenburg said it was obvious
that these amendments designed to defeat Equal
Suffrage, and he therefore appealed TO every friend of
| down.
The amendment was then voted down-yeas %,
nays 26.
Mr.. Barringer offered another amendment, provi-
ding for the election of Judges of the Supreme and
Superior Courts by the people.
Mr.. Bond spoke in favor of this amendment, and
was briefly replied to by Mr.. Speight.
| Mr.. Haughton advocated the amendment. He
should hold gentlemen up to the mark this ques-
tion He would rather trust the people to elect the
Judges than to trust either party in the Legislature
Mr.. Speight asked Mr.. Haughton if he in fa-
of Equal Suffrage. If he was, why not take
that in separate bill, and put the Judges in another
bill
Mr.. Haughton said his vote would show his posi-
tion Equal Suffrage. He had not said he should
vote against it.
MI Hoke said it apparent that party capital
the object of these movements the part of
tain Senators. 1t they sincere in their advoca
cy of Judges and Justices by the people, why did
they not bring forward separate bills for this pur
posel The Senate open them, and their bills
would be heard and acted on. He knew that this
bitter pill to of these gentlemen-al the
measures togetherInade up bitter pill for some of
them, but the people demanded it, and they must
take it it was. He said the Senator from Berthe
(Mr. Bond) had spoken of the confidence SO uni
formy Teposed in him by his constituents. He hoped
he might be allowed to ask that Senator recipro-
cate that confidence in the people, by voting for Equal
Suffrage. Now was the time.
Mr.. Shepard said that at the proper time he might
vote for eectng Judges by the people; and to
at that, he might vote for it also. Ii the basis of
representation could be preserved, he might go for
this change; but he was averse to any thing cacu-
lated to pave the way for disturbing the taxation
Federal basis This basis secured to already,
and as long had thai he satisfied. Still, he
disposed go for such reforms the people cal
led for, fhe could know, clearly and undoubied Iy,
their wishes in the matter.
Mr.. Woodin said he for Equal Suffrage, and for
all the measures alluded to. He pledged to all.
He spoke at some length in favor of open Con-
venton, tho hest for settling all these ques-
tions and in the course of his remalk ks he alluded
what he considered defect the present bill. He
said did provide that the Senatorial should
pay taxes before voting. provision of this
should be inserted.
Mr.. CLARK said it was in contempt plation to offer
amendment of this sort at the proper time.
MIR. Caldwell of Mecklenburg, again took the floor,
and in the of his remarks he warned Eas-
tern Senators against defeating this bill. Though
estern man, he had always stood ior the present
basis of representation, and he had therefore right
speak freely to Eastern Senators. large portion
Of the Western people were opposed TO disturbing
the compromises OF the Constitution; but they were
determined to have Equal Suffrage and if this meas
should be defeated by Eastern men, there would
be strong and growing demand for open Conven- |
ton. The East, by defeating this bill, might lose
the basis. For his part, he should continue stand
by the basis it is but he could tell what the
Western people would do. Give them Equal Suf-
frage now, and they would be content Equal Suf- |
frags new principle to him. He had always /
Commons, he had offered bill proposing to change
the Constitution in this respect He never rode hob
bies, but principles.
MIR. Haughton said he had heard with much sats-
faction the remarks of the Senator from MeckIenburg
That Senator had concealments-he spoke frankly /
and fully, and he admired him for It, NoL0 is the time,
said Mr.. H. He appealed Senators in favor Of an
open Convention, to to the rescue nolO. He !.
argued at some length in favor of an open Conven-
ton; and the drift of his argument was that if this
bill could be defeated open Convention would be /
The result. He said the central part of State would
oppose, in that Convention, an- interference with the
basis and would do justice all sections OF the State.
Mr.. Shepard remarked in reply TO the Senator from
Meckenburg, that he had no fears that open Con-
Tenton would be called. The East would prevent
t, if to themselves. He could not be friChten-
carried out, the people ought to have opportunity
If voting on them separately. To put Equal Sut-
rage, Judges and Justices In bill, and submit
hese questions in that way to the people, would be
Unfair and unjust. He considered that the best mode
If amending the Constitution was by legislative en-
ctment, in separate bills. -
He said if the East went into open Conven-
ion, the basis would fall. Easternmen i'll Virginia had
yiven way this subject, and the same thing would
witnessed here. He held that the Legislature could
lot limit Convention of the people. If amend .
nents were desired of particular character, they
must be obtained by bill; if amendments generally
we're demanded, Convention must he had to carry
hem out. The time might when he would
ote for all these in separate bills; but pub
ic opinion in his District had undergone but little
citation in regard them, and he preferred await
IS developments and direction. T
Mr.. Barringers second amendment was then voted .
pom and rejected-yeas %, nays 81. 7
Mr.. Bynum offere1 amendment, proposing to
cave the question of Convention Convention