Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-10-20
GOVERNORS. MESSAGE,
To the Legislature Of North Carolina at the
Session, commencing October, 1852.
tn tn, Honorable the General Assembly

of the State OF NoTm CdTOE"U'
Favored by Il bountiful Providence with Peac
and Plenty, the present would seem most aosp
cious period for directing our thoughts and ener
gies to such objects of legislation as are calculated
to advance the great interests of the State, and u
perpetuate the blessings Of liberty.
Government was instituted for the security o
the rights of persons and of property, and for th'
promotion of the Substantial prosperity ana nap
piness of the people. These Objects controlled oy
constitutional limitations, constitute the great Pout
zeal chart to guide Legislative and Executive ac.'oi'
Among the subjects which claim the cons!oer'
ton of the General Assembly, is the questlon %
Constitutional Reform At the session OF Iooo-
81, the General Assembly passed, by cohst!'u-
tional majority, bill to amend the ConsC ~
so as to extend to every fireman. who now mas TIE
RIGHT to vote for the Commons, the nght 10 vote
also for the Senate. The Executive Erocl"i,i"''0N
on this subject was published agreeably to the re-
ouirements of the Legislature. l earnestly recon-
mend that said amendment be passed by the con-
sttutional majority of the present General Assem-
hly and submitted to the voters OF the state 1of
ratification. ..
The Constitution, it now stands, Promolts
every man who does not own nifty acres Oh !a'io
from voting in the Senate. This provision, II IS
believed DISTINGUISHES in the Senate about one haif
of the free white men of the State, and embraces
in its prescription a large class, who IN point OF
merit intelligence and patriotism, are not INFERIOR
to any portion of our population. Inc PROPOSE
ton is not to take from the landholders their just
rights but to elevate another mertorlous class OF
our people to equal privileges at the ballot box IL
is marked feature in the progress OF TINS reiorll
that great portion Of the freeholders, with COM
mendablc disinterestedness regarded this as ques
ton of principle and of right and among them
were found its earliest advocates and most Jealous
supporters. ., ..ou,. ,,or+;o,,
Of the State, are in favor of Equal Suffrage, and
prefer the Legislative mode of ettectlng It, Inc
greater part of the expense necessary to attain
Equal Suffrage has already been incurred and
now to abandon the Legislative mode, and to rely
upon the Convention mode, would not only cause
delav but an increase of expenditure. The Con-
vention mode is impracticable. The constitutional
majority cannot be obtained in favor OF Conven-
ton and, if the fate of this question is made to
depend upon calling Convention, its defeat may
be regarded as certain. The Legislative mode Is
not only expressly provided for in our State Const-
tuition but is also recognised in the Constitution OF
the United States, rs one of the modes for ratty-
ing amendments, by the States, to the Federal
Constitution.
This mode affords time for examination and re-
Election in relation to the amendment proposed, and
finally, when it shall have passed two successive
Legislatures, it cannot be adopted without the
sanction of a majority of the voters of the State
at the ballot box. "a free, open and unrestricted
Convention could have no such restriction upon
its power. Hence, we'll founded apprehension
exists in the minds of many ardent friends of con-
stitutional reform, against the Convention mode of
cffectng it. A Convention is impracticab!e and
inexpedient, and l regard the Legislative as the
safe and only practicable mode, at this time, of
amending the constitution.
A change of the Basis of Representation would
be fraught with mischief Even the agitation of
the subject is calculated to destroy that harmony
among the various portions Of the State which IS
so essential to prosperity and happiness. Let us
unite in directing our attention to objects that may
produce more beneficial results.
1t is circumstance gratifying, and at the same
time highly complimentary to the State, that how
much the people may desire constitutional re-
FORM tl.ey promptly reject any other than consti-
tutional mode to attain it.
The election of Judges and Justices of the Peace,
by the people, and for terms less than for life, are
questions of constitutional reform, which I recon-
mend to the favorable cons liberation of the General
Assembly.
There is no object of IN ore general importance
than Common Schools, nor is there any question
more worthy the favorable consideration of the
General Assembly and the people Of the State.
1t is contended by some that the present mode
Of dividing the School Fund is unjust, and that it
ought to be divided according to white instead of
federal population. The present basis of distribu-
ton has met the approval of many successive Leg
isatures and do not see any good reason to rec
ommend change in this respect. No mode can
be devised that will operate with equal benefit to
all the counties.
1t is submitted, whether the appointment Of a
general superintendent may not tend to improve
common schools and advance the cause of educa-
ton. Such an officer could no doubt do much to
produce uniformity in the SYSTEM and to diffuse a
proper spirit on the subject throughout the State.
1t is believed that the present system has greatly
diminished the number of private schools. In many
instances, it would seem that a reliance upon the
school prevents the district from providing
private school; and it is often found that dis
trct has very imperfect school, and that only for
a very short period during the year. The schools
should, if possible, be of such a character as to
makeit the interest of all classes to patronize them
for they intended alike for the poor and the rich.
The execution of the system is more defective
than the system itself. Ono cause why our schools
are not in more fourshing condition, arises from
the fact that public attention has not been sufficient
BY aroused to the importance ofthe subject. Sparse
ness OF population, and the want of adequate
to employ suitable teachers, are the principal OBJ
stacles that impede the progress of the system.
The question arises, whether it is better to endure
the system, with its present limited but gradually
increasing benefits, or to improve it at once by a
resort to an increase of taxation I can IMAGINE
no object for which an increase of taxation would
be more justifable and commendable Contribu-
lions for public education have been aptly compar-
ed to the vapor drawn from the earth, not to ex-