Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-14
Gov. Ellis and Mr.. Pool,

UOEs Ellis TOOls
We give to-day, from the pen of an esteemed cor
RESPONDENT an account of the discussion in Elizabeth
CITY between Gov Ellis and Mr.. Pool. The account
is a full and no doubt a fair one We learn that
Gov Ellis sustained himself remarkably well in the
discussion, giving entire satisfaction to his friends
and producing fine impression on those differing
with him in his views
Mr.. Pool has certainly taken singular ground on
the subject of taxing slave property. He declares
that an ad rGlOrem tax on property generally will
not increase the tax on slaves. Is this so? We
think not We know that the opinion of the adj
ralOrem men of both parties with whom we have
conversed is that the proposed change acW increase
the tax on slaves We merely assert the fact, with
out going irto the argument as to whether the tax
ought or ought not to be increased and we insist,
no matter what Mr.. Pool may say or promise, that
the tax 1cU be increased. The calculation of the
Fayetteville Observer is if we not mistaken that
under the operation o. the proposed change each one
of the three hundred thousand slaves in the State will
be taxedabou &c cents making the entire tax on slave
property S19S,O00 The present tax is SllS,0O0
No one proposes to increase the tax the Constiu
ton now stands, because the tax on white polls
must be the same as on black polls.
But if the tax on slaves is not to be increased
wherefore the proposed change in the Constitution?
viii Mr.. Pool answer that?
But Mr.. Pool, it appears this is the most ex
raOrdnary of all his postions-lnsists on Con-
7ention, and restricted Convention at that to make
one amendment to the Constitution. Now, the pro-
position is sefevident that the Legislature of the
State has no right to call restricted Convention
There no such authority in the Constitution. That
instrument provides that Convention of the people
may be called by two-thirds vote of the Legisla-
ture and of course the meaning is that the Conven-
ton shall be full grown, unrestricted, sovereign
body. The servants of the people cannot limit the
people themselves. A power not sovereign, as the
Legislature is not sovereign cannot impose limita-
tons on the sovereign power. Single or separate
amendments from time to time are provided for by
the legislative mo6e-that is, by three6fths vote
Ofthe Legislature at the first stage, by twothirds
vote at the second stage and by the approving vote
1.-THE people at the polls at the third; while Con-
Tenton is provided for when several amendments are
desired-a Convention invested with full power to
change, alter, modify, or to abolish and make anew
the Constitution as may seem best to the people
themselves acting through their delegates This
was the ground substantially taken by the Wing
party in this State in their Conventions in 1850,
1852, and 1854 In 1850 they proposed Convcn-
ton to amend the Constitution to make nearly
all the State officers elective by the people; in 1852
they referred to ''dmeRdments'- to an amend
ment; and in 1854 they expressed the opinion that
Sirol 81, -, a. on1
proposed Convention to effect changes, the Con-
Venton to be called and based to preserve only
from change or innovation the present basis of rep
reSentation in the Legislature. We heard nothing
then about restricted Conventions. TWAS proposed
0preSerVe the basis of representation in the Legis
hture, not by restricting the Convention, but by
Calling it on basis which would render it highly
improbable that the interests represented would
touch the basis referred to-
Mr. Pool, in his efforts to please both the East and
the West, will displease BOTH If the people of the
Last should be disposed to change the Constitution
50 as to tax slaves according to value they will not
vote Tor Convention to effect the change, but will
10 1t by legislative enactment; and so far as the
people OF the West are concerned they have no idea
VI mourning the trouble and expense of a limited
convention. When they vote for Convention it
Will De an open, unrestricted Convention. Mr.. Pool
I'D! oeshrewd, but heis notan experiencedpOlitcian.
lie mas not sufficiently studied and understood the
UphlOns the impulses, and the habits of thought of
Ie people of North Carolina. Their pre-eminent
characteristic is sound common sense. They expect
=" Sa'0a' for propositions submitted by public men,
-uer Judgments must be convinced before their
'O'eS are cast They will not authorize Conven-
uOn to make but one amendment in their Constitu-
sun; and they will not vote for Mr.. Pool simply
''use he proposes to tax all property at the same
l"'e, without at the same time increasing the tax
On Slaves