The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-06-26

CARD FROM GOV. ELLIS.

be found card from Mr. &. Ii. Foster, one of the
Reporters of the discussion between Mr. Pool and
myself at Gatesville, from which | make the fol-
lowing extract
Il noticed a paragraph from the Charlotte Demo-
GRAFT, paper do exchange with, pronouncing my
statement that Gov Ellis said at Gaesville that the
East paid her full measure of taxation TO the State
Treasury pressed down and running over and that the
West like the horseleech, still cried more! more! an
inaccurate account. have heard furthermore, that
Gov Ellis has himself publicly denied on several oc-
casions that he ever MADE such remark
Regarding as / do, the vindication of mans per-
sonal honor and ruthfuness, consideration higher
than any demands of partizan expediency and know
ing most positively, that Gov. Ellis did make the
mark imputed to him in my report, deem it my duty
TO re-afirm my statement in that regard &c.
al regret that / am compelled take issue with
the Governor upon matter OF Feracitr.'
Now if that gentleman had been correctly in
formed as to my explanation referred to, which
was made at Smithfeld, near two months since l
cannot conceive that he could have written the
card which appears in the Register. In that ex-
PLANTATION, no question made of his "truthful-
ness" and reflection cast upon his personal
honor" nor did | deny using certain figures of
speech found in the reports. What did say was,
that the reporters had enormously represented me
as applying these figures of speech to the West,
when entirely different application of them was
designed and made by ME. That instead of APP
plying them to the Peep de of the West a majority
or whom i DeIleVeQ tnen anu DellcNc now 10 De
opposed to this new scheme Of taxation, they were
applied to the politicians of the opposition party,
who had proposed and advocating system
of taxation, the necessary results of which would
be to increase the inequalities of taxation
listing between the two sections of the State, and
to revive sectional jealouses and con troverses
| made no question then, nor do | now of the
L'truthfulness' of any | have doubt but
that the reporters presented my meaning to the
al. ~ J
At the same time, it is not claiming too much for
myself, that having prepared my argument upon
important question with some care, | should
have some knowledge and recollection of what |
did mean on the occasion referred to- and Of what
| said.
1t would be strange indeed, had I applied Of
fensve epithets large portion of the voters Of
the State, the support of majority Of whom ex
pected to obtain-and that too, in the presence of
two reporters of the Opposition party.
reference to my notes used at that time,
ables me to give the precise words employed, with
their proper connection.
| laid down the proposition that the plan of
taxation proposed by the Opposition, would have
the effect to increase the burthens of taxes upon
the Eastern part OF the State, compared with
the West; and Il necessary consequence, the
West would lose portion of her representatives in
the Senate as taxation there was the basis of re-
section, and one that would work detriment to the
general welfare Of the State, bv exciting sectional
controversies and retarding all useful improve
ments
In the argument used to prove this proposition
that part of Constitution proposed 70 be
changed was referred to as compromise between
the two sections, when the following language was
nsed:
such. Fellow-citizcns was the origin of this COM
TetII Ipnk fOra mn mi tir1i
working. Like the covenant made between Abraham
and AbemeIech it brought instantaneous peace
distracted people, ana from that day forth went
forth unite people in the march of prosperity
and greatness. Now, gentlemen, yOu will mark
fully feature of this compromise. 1t in
tended merely for day The taxes of North Carolina
then only $4,000, and it would have been
matter of great consequence had slave property paid
the whole of them 1t made for the future-for
this time when railroads 20 be constructed
through the mountains and when public debt must be
contracted for that purpose and public taxes increased
to pay the interest that dcbt-a period and condi-
ton of affairs, then clearly foresern Nor il.
the other hand intended prevent the of
such works The people of the East of that day, knew
that they ought and would be built and that increased
taxes that account would and must follow, of which
they willing cheerfully, to pay their just part
They only desired to be protected against the payment
of than their just proportion. And now gentle
men, does rot the East pay her just proportion of the
public hur:hens? Let see how the account stands.
The lst Congressional District pays into the public
Treasury, annually, S92.6lS-whe the 9Th District.
where these expenditures mainly to be made pays
S43,24O.
The small county of Gates for instance where there
is expenditures of consequence for public works,
pays at hS time S54Sl, while the county of Burke
larger and popuous, where $500 600 are to
be expended public works. pays S4.472. Now
submit yOT aye, to all candid men of the East and
West, whether this is the full of your pro-
portion of the public taxes? Yet there is an ncxora
BILE demand for Though you pay Your lust
measure,-full heapcd up and running over yet the
cry is, like the horse leech: gve gvckc the grave
more! morc!H
The argument goes on to show that this cry for
more is to be found in this proposition to change
the Constitution and the adoption of the adj va To-
rem system, which would necessarily result in in
creasnr the disproportion of taxes paid BY the two
sections and thereby disturb the balance of repre-
sentation in the Senate. That the East have more
property than the WeSt-a consequence Of her
superior market facilities and being an older set
tied country-and must necessarily under the ad
vaorem system pay more taxes. In which argrl-
ment the following language was used:
''Bns why this proposed change? Do the people ask
il? No! Why sir. out of 80 Senators. only some o
voted for the proposition the last Legislature Who
asks II then, and for what purpose? Mr. Badger asks
it, as they say that system of equal taxation be
adopted but as say, and expect to prove. that an
Opposition Senator. and Governor, and Opposition
Judges may be made"
The foregoing extracts are the precise words
used BY ME in the discussion referred TO- They
we're written down among my notes Just as they
are given here, and | was particular to follow my
notes very closely, that the first discussion
in the canvass. They written out at length
&c - al