Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-24
To the Voters of Rockingham County.

opsis of such proceedings as most affect your inter-
est, and the welfare and character of the State.
The election of two United States Senators
pied the attention of the Legislature early in the
session, and resulted in the selection of Governor
Reid and the Hon. Asa Biggs, of Martin county.
Governor Reid you know; and any eulogy from US
might be considered in bad taste but in regard to
Col. Biggs, feel more freedom to speak and it
affords much pleasure TO say, that we have known
him long, and that he is gentleman of high char
acter, of great moral worth, and statesman of
larged experience and infexible principles. d. W.
Courts of our county, was reelected Public Trea
suref; G. w. Brooks, of Person, was elected Comp
troller; William Hill was reelected Secretary of
State, and the following gentlemen elected
Counsellors of State: William Badham, of Chowan
o. r. Kenan, of Duplin; Gen. NJ. L. Hawkins, of
Warren; Gen. Benz Trollinger, of Alamance; Owen
D. Holmes, of Brunswick; Larkin Stowe, of Lincoin
and DIR. Samuel j. Love, Of Haywood.
FREE SUFFRAGE-This great principle which guar
antees to every free achite man. equality at the bal
lot box, has again triumphed in defiance of its
mics.
By the provisions of the Constitution, it must be
affirmed at the next Assembly, and then be ratified
by the people.
1t will be proud day for the patriot, when fifty
thousand freenen shall cast off their manacles, and
enjoy the right. of voting for Of their choice
from the highest to the lowest officer of the govern
ment.
The abrogation of the land qualification for Senate
voters has been resisted by some, under the deu-
sion OF danger to the land owner, and attempts
not unrequenty made to create the impression that
the Senate is based upon lard qualification, when
such is not the fact The Senate is based upon tax
alton, and the House of Commons upon federal pop
ulation. To remove the sophistry thrown around
this question: it is only necessary to bear in mind
few facts if you will look to. the Constitution, it
will be that the Senate is based upon taxation
of which the land comprises something less than a
fifth part; for example, the tax paid into the Urea
sury in 1854 1927 ,363 of this amount S42, 463
collected from land from this statement You
have the facts without argument; and we sub
init whether the most skeptical might not abandon
all fear, opposition, and join the friends of free
suffrage.
INTERNAL IMPRovEMENTs.-ThiS subject which has
occupied large space in the public mind, and elic-
ted much interest," was brought before the Legsla-
ture early IN the session. Various plans were pre-
scented, embracing within their scope the wants of
the centre, cast north and SOUTH aordng the
industrious, cnterprising citizens of the whole State,
the means to deveope their resources, and realize
the advantages to follow therefrom.
But with deep modification it becomes our pain
full duty to inform you that section of the State
has been denied the advantages extended to Others
and why has this been so? We pay largely more
than our ratio of taxes to support the government
and we believe the devotion and attachment of
people to their native State is not surpassed by any,
Then why have we been thus treated, and our best
interests paral yZed?
1t is part of our purpose to impugn the motives
of Others but to appeal to the Justice and inte-
gence of the country in behalf of just rights
We have miSjudgcd your opinions, if you will quiz
circumstances what must be course? We say
emphatcaly, never submit to such terms. Let your
watchword be equal rights to all, and exclusive pr-
veges to none let your voices be raised as that of
man, to the citizens of the whole State to do
you justice; and but believe, that firm,
energetic, and united effort will be crowned with
success.
FINANcEs-The States Indebtedness at the meet
ing of the present session So 400 663, created
principally for works of Internal improvements
To finish those works already begun required large
additional appropriations item alone to complete
the North Carolina Railroad amounted to million
of dollars. Additional appropriations had to be made
to complete the original projection of this great work
and others of similar character. With the origin
of these works we had nothing to do; as to their
success, it will require time to determine.
However unpleasant it may be for you to pay tax
to accommodate other portions of the State when
you have been denied similar advantages is not now
the question. The honor and character of North
Carolina is involved, and whatever may be the conse
quences, the bright escutcheon of beloved State
must not be furnished.
REvENUE.-To meet the States liability, an in
of the taxes has become Indispensable. In
arranging a system of finance efforts have been
made to make it operate equally upon all. Sound
policy requires we'll in regard to public as private
matters, that those creating debts should provide
the ways and means to pay them.
The present increase of revenue contemplates,
not only to pay the interest ehe present and pro-
spective debt, but to provide sinking fund to pay
the principal when due when it can he purchased
to advantage Half million of old debt incurred
by endorsing the bonds of the Raleigh and CASTOR
Railroad Company in 1910. on which we have been
paying interest at the rate of thirty thousand dollars
annually, will fall due in 1860. To permit that debt
to fall due without providing gradual means
to meet it, continue to borrow money and make
debt to pay old one would not be the part
of prudence.
COMMON SCHooLs-The system is believed to be
in a healthy and prosperous condition and if the
people would manifest more interest in its success,
and watch over its progress life would be
infused into its practical operation and its benefits
realized by all classes of society.
The fund set apart for educational purposes, is
81 $50 $50, which is vested in various stocks now
bearing interest Last year the dividen,Is and prof
its divided among the several Counties $780,
$50, which has been divided between $500 districts
averaging to district about $40, affording a
School of four months duration, and from l95, 900
persons, between the ages Of five and twenty one
years $780, 900 are supposed to be enjoying the bene
fits of free Schools
BANKs.-With the commencement of the session
there existed ten Banks and an authorized capital of
six millions two hundred thousand dollars. The
Bank of the State and the Bank of Cape Fear have
been rechartered with authority to increase their
capital stock million more; and two other Banks
have been chartered-one at Wilmington AMI one at
Fayetteville, with capital of twelve hundred thou
sand dollars and the capital of the Bank Charlotte
has been INCREASED two hundred thousand dollars
making the entire banking capital of the State So
900. This increase of banking capital seemed
to be required to afford commercial facilities to the
country. The maximum point of banking is one of
questionable proprety, but individual responsibility
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