Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-19
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STANDARD.
Mr.. HoLDES; Its my purpose to submit some
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 "
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 as to the division of
Counties. Rowan and Buhcoinbe being two Of the
largest Counties Of The State in point Of territory
the contest first arose as to them Haywood was TAX
en- from Buncombe and established in 1885, About
this there was not much division, as 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 a 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
proposition for a Convention. The Constitution
had made provision for its amendment, so that
Convention was necessary to effect the object
County representation had become so grossly une-
quail to call loudly for change. Several of the
Counties did not pay into the public trt asury sum
sufficient to pay their members The question was
finally submitted to vote of the freemen of the
State 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 equalze represen-
tation 1t 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 treated both as persons and
property; as persons in the Commons by adopting
the federal basis which includes threeGths of the
negroes and as property, because the tax on them,
although levied per capita a certain number, was
to be counted in apportioning Senators. The House
TO consist of 100 members, and to be divided
according to federal population; the Senate of 80
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 so Senatorial dis
trics, of which sc Eastern Counties were entitled
to % Senators, whilst AZ Western Counties were
only entitled to 90 Senators have said the Con-
vention adopted the basis of representation
mixed population for the House and taxation for
the Senate; that Is threefths 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 u and 80 in the Sc
nate basis. So that it will be seen that the nom
slavowners 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 a.......
...f. MACON T