Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-05-23
RALEIGH. N. c.. WEDNEs DAY. MAY %. 1860.
For the Standard.

tOf the STANDARD.
Mr.. HOLDEN: It is my purpose to submit some
facts on the question Of Gd oalorep and the amend
ment Of our State Constitution. It will be seen
that assume the name of the patriot who presided
over the Convention which framed the amended
Constitution, and whose sentiments we think we
shall state in the discussion ..z.-
We see from the papers that difference of opin-
ion exists as to which Counties shall be given to the
East and which to the West If the past history
of our legislative and political action IS consulted
the line OF division will be easily fixed. In former
days the test question was as to the division Of
Counties. Rowan and Buncombe being two Of the
largest Counties of The State in point Of territory,
the contest first arose to them. Haywood was TAX
en- from Buncombe, and established in 1908. About
this there was not so much DIVISION its necessity
arose from the extinction of the Indian title, and
the consequent extension Of our Western boundary,
Buncombe at that time forming our extreme Wes-
tern limits. But the great contest arose as to the
division Of Rowan, at that day large and populous
County After repeated applications and close
vote between East and Vest it was finally divided,
and the County of Davidson established in 1922
Another test question between East and West was
a proposition for Convention. The Constitution
had made no provision for its amendment, so that
Convention was necessary to effect the object
County representation had become so grossly une-
quail as to call loudly for change Several of the
Counties did not pay into the public treasury sum
sufficient to pay their members. The question was
finally submitted to vote of the frCemen Of the
Stat, as to the call of Convention for amending
the Constitution in certain particulars. A. majority
having voted in favor of the measure, the Conven-
ton of 1885 met accordingly. The principal object
in calling the Convention to equalize represen
tation It was finally agreed to adopt federal popu-
latioE the basis of representation in the Commons
and taxation as that of the Senate Under this
system negroes were treated both as persons and
property; as persons in the Commons by adopting
the federal basis which includes threeifths of the
negroes and as property, because the tax on them,
although levied per capita on certain number was
to be counted in apportioning Senator's The House
was to consist of 12O members, and to be divided
according to federal population; the Senate of SO
members to be divided among the Counties accord
ing to the amount of taxes paid by EACH Thus in
1852 the State was divided into 80 Senatorial dis
tricts, of which SO Eastern Counties were entitled
to 27 Senators, whilst AZ Western Counties were
only entitled to 23 Senator's. have said the Con-
vention adopted as the basis of representation a
mixed population for the House and taxation for
the Senate; that is, threefhs of the negroes were
to be added to the white population in making up
the ratio of representation for the House, and the
poll tax each negro between 12 and 80 in the Sc
nate basis So that it will be seen that the nom
slavowners were to share in the additional weight
given by the negroes both in the House and Senate
In my next number it will be my purpose to show
what is the practical operation of this compromise
between the East and West
MACON