The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-04-24


tax as they pleased on slave property, and he
wanted to secure it, beyond contingency, against
the encroachments of taxation. Par porenttese,
they have been some time in finding this out
And Gov. Ellis in his rejoinder, told Mr. P. that
the present Constitution gave sufficient check upon
that score as the white folks had to be taxed pdrt
Dassu with the black He wanted the thing fixed
beyond dispute-and so fixed by the Constitution
that slave property would be equally protected with
all property that it is ust that slaves should pay
their due proportion OF the taxes, according to
tier oatue Was it right, just, fair or honest, that
a man owning slave worth $500 should pay no
more tax than man who owns nothing but gold
watch valued at $50? Why, "Jim Johnston out
here who owns $50 900 worth of slaves in Pasquo-
tank only paid about $50 per annum taxes upon
them; while the merchant who brings into the State
800 worth of liquor for sale pays S7O-ten per
cent on his capital invested, and $50 for bis Ii
cense Was this fair. just, or honest ? man
should be taxed according to the value OF his pro-
perty-he should be taxed al rolorme. He de-
MED that his party was committed, in their plat
form, to an open, unrestricted Convention. Gov.
Ellis had quoted from the Raleigh Register to
show that what they wanted an "open Con-
vention." Well, suppose the editor of the Regis
ter did say So what of that? The resolution
of the Convention had designated the object of
the Convention, aud it said nothing about an "open
Conremtion." What he advocated Conven-
ton for specific purpose-that was what the
party who nominated him demanded.
Mr Pool declared that the effect of an I'D Ualo-
RIM tax upon property generally would not in
crease the tax upon slaves-that the Governor and
himself agreed upon this point-that the proposed
change would tax articles not taxed, and thus
keep up the revenue of the State without increas-
ing the tax upon slaves. Gov. Ellis upon this
point, wanted to know why the reference to ''Jim
Johnston's' slaves and the small tax paid upon
them, if it was not to show that the tax upon
negroes should be increased? Why talk of the
$500 negro in juxta position to the $50 watch if
it vas not that he (Mr P) wanted the tax on the
negro increased according to his value? 1t must
be intended either to increase the tax upon slaves
or else to put tax upon articles now exemIt such
as horses, cattle, implements, &c. Otherwise, why
seek change? And the change was not necessa-
ry except in the case of slaves.
Mr. Pool contended that the discrimination re-
commended in his party platform tantamount
to exemption, though he did not designate the
articles in favor of which he would discriminate.
If it desired to foster particular interest, a
tax of half cent or any smaller fraction of a
cent would be tar, and they had the right SO to
discriminate; and this, upon the Governors ground,
that to discriminate implied difference in taxa
ton, and that tax must be laid all articles
in order that discrimination might be made be-
tween them. But Mr. Pool thought that hair
splitting, and took the higher, bolder ground that
his platform should be interpreted to
en,pton and not DISCRIMINATION, in the nice sense
of the Governor, and hence he would exempt GER
tain articles entirely from taxation, though he did
not specify them, except little articles Of house
hold and kitchen furniture, did not say what or
how much.
The Governor had spoken of the present consti-
tutional arrangement of the system of taxation
upon slaves, a solemn compact between the East
and West that ought not to be di>turbed-it would
en@cnder lll-feclng at home and give encourage
ment to the black Republicans. But Mr Pool said
this came with i'll grace from gentleman who
Che alleged) had ridden into power upon similar
disturbance of constitutional compromise, Gree
Suffrage j and the Governors party had upset the
great Missouri Compromise, and now forsooh, pro-
claims pious ami holy reverence for compromises
and compacts. Mr. Pool contended that the pro-
posed change would not encourage the black Re-
pubhcans, but quite the contrary that the present
system taxed slaves as persons, which was playing
into the hands Of the Republicans He wanted
TO tax them property, declaring that North
Carolina the only State that taxed them as
persons, all the rest taxing-thcm as property.
These were the general grounds taken by the
candidates | understood them. Many little
pcasantries and sharp encounters of wit passed be-
tween them, which have not time to refer to-
Suffice it, that Gov. Ellis showed himself we'll
skilled in giving and parrying these blows. will
only add that Gov. f. made powerful impression
upon our people, and that he has only to ego and
do likewise" i'll the other counties, and all will be
well. PASQUOTANK
Elizabeth City, April 7, 1860.