Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-09

Mr. HOLDEN: The apportionmeRt by the Conven-
ton of 1885, under the amended Constitution, gave
to the SO Eastern counties
Senators East 81
Senators West, 234 majority East.
Commoners East Go
Commoners West $50 majority
In 1852, when the apportionment was made by
the Legislature, the Senate remained without any
change.
Whereas, in the Commons East, Sc counties and
53 members; West counties 46, and 67 members
Thus the West had gained IA members in the House;
and after deducting the four majority in the East
left two majority, on joint vote, in favor of the
West
In 1858. the 81 Eastern counties paid poll tax,
on free and black, S9661S
The AZ Western counties 74SlS-s21 500
And notwithstanding this large difference in favor of
the East the advocates of adj raloe ar for ncreas
ing the tax on the slaves of the East Is this inst
proper? We think not Is the change called
for by the West? 1t is not but by the political as
pirants of East and West. Mr.. Pool is reported as
being against taking the poll tax off the whites and
as equally opposed to change of the federal basis
If the West should gain IN the House of Com
mons. in population and by the creation of new
counties, before 1872, when the next apportonment
is to be made the East would gain in the Senate by
the increase OF taxation her slaves; and thus re-
tain the control of the Senate and defeat any fur
ther appropriations for Railroads in the Vest
nave Sdlu lile w est was 100 SPACIOUS a
people, ard too much alive to its own interest to ia
vor the Gd Uatorem scheme of few aspiring poll
ticians to enable them to get into power.
But promised to notice some of the arguments
of Mr.. Bledsoe and others in favor of the change.
First they say there was no restriction on the
Legislature before 1885, and the power was not then
abused. That is true, and the answer is there was
no occasion for it, and if there had BEEN the slave
holding counties had the power of preventing it
Besides, this system had been so long and we'll es-
tablished that no one thought of disturbing it.
Second, these gentlemen say we once had an ad
calOrem system in the State, and why not have it
again? Is this true IN point Of fact and if So what
sort of system was it, when, and how long did it
last? In 1882 at the close of the Revolution when
the State was greatly pressed to meet the bills of
credit which had been issued to meet the war ex-
penses, bill was passed for "ascertaininc what
property in the State shall be deemed taxable prop
erty;" and it declared "that all lots and lands
saves under the age OF sixty years, horses, mules
ana cattle from one year old and upwards and stock
in trade, shall be held taxable property" Cattle
were rated at 90 shillings the head Slaves under
seven years and those between fifty and sixty years
20 pounds. Slaves of seven years and under six
teen, and all between forty and fifty at 40 pounds
sixteen and under forty, at 80 pounds Coaches.
chariots, stagewagons, and other carriages 3 shil
lings specie for each wheel. Such was the adj o.
torea Law Of 1882 which lasted one year. as it was
repealed in 176S. The experiment failed, as the
people could not stand tax on mules. horses. cattle
and wagons; when, in 1854 they adopted the tax
on land slaves of twelve and fifty, and free persons
OF twenty-one and upwards and asked the people If
they were willing to have their horses, mules cattle
and wagons taxed in order to add tax on slaves Of
all ages and sizes. The Opposition candidates say
they are for taxing nothing of less value than two
hundred and fifty. dollars. Their platform makes
no such proviso, and neither Mr. Pool or Rogers has
any right to add the proviso. What Mr.. Bedsoe,
Tho linda dnok~ L.
An independent candidate independent of whom
certainly Of the Democratic party and, of course,
dependent on the opposition; and, as SUCH he must
take their. platform. without the proviso have
said he was independent of the Democratic party.
for, after attending and voting in its general Con.
vention, and after having been nominated and voted
for at the County Convention, he cannot reasonably
calculate on the support of that party The history
OF political men shows that the individual who
breaks faith with his party is soon found in the