Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1860-05-08

Mr.. Pool said his competitor argued that nd ua-
t0rem would tax tin cups, thimbles, chickens,
goose eggs, &c. The Legislature, said Mr. Pool,
had the right to tax all these things now-it had
the right to tax everything but the negro and that
was what they wanted to get at 1t was just and
right that they should be taxed as other property,
and it was the principle of justice, right and
equality that he went for. He advocated it here
and would advocate it in the West-he would ad-
vocate it everywhere. All the protection the
slave owner wanted was that all other property,
like slaves, should be taxed in proportion to value.
He advocated free suffrage because it removed an
unjust restriction, and he was for it now He
was for free suffrage because he wanted equality
at the ballot box; he was for ad ualorem be-
cause he wanted equality at the tax box 1t
was just and right. He considered these great
principles of equality and justice of more impor-
tance than protection to slaves; and argued that
slaves had all the protection they needed. He
denied that ad rGtOrema would create jealousy be-
tween the East and the West. He referred to the
value of negroes under ~ and over SO which were
not taxed at all. He would not discuss the ques-
ton of poll tax-the Legislature could regulate
that matter He was willing to trust the people
it was their Constitution and if they wanted to
change it let them do it,
Mr.. Pool having consumed his time, closed. His
speech seemed to give great satisfaction to his
political friends present We have not attempted
to follow either gentleman, or to give anything
like report Of the speeches, for we know we
should do them both great injustice, but we have
simply attempted to allude to the principal points
treated by them in discussing the proposed change
of the Constitution-or, as it is generally called,
Id VaLorem.
Each gentleman entitled to reply of 30
minutes. Gov E. in his reply took occasion to
correct Mr.. Pool in several particulars. Gov Ell
lis opposed a convention because, for one reason
it might affect the basis of representation and
cause the West to lose Senator's and he contend
ed that the West had no now than she ought
to have. He spoke of Mr. POOLS votes against
Railroads, against Mr.. Bleosoe's od valorem bill
and refusal to vote for bill to reduce the tax on
land to show the inconsistency of his present po-
stion.
Nj. Pool replied to the rejoinder of Gov. Ellis
by explaining positions already taken, reverting
again to the position of his opponent, and decla-
ring his unaterable- determination to contend for
ad calorem with whatever strength and ability he
had until the right to tax slaves as property was
incorporated into the State Constitution. Mr.
Pool is a very clever speaker and an adroit de-
batter.
We glad to be able to say that the bearing
of the gentlemen towards each other courte-
Gus and kind, and we trust that the same good
feeling and dignity of manner may continue to
characterize their discussions until the campaign
is over.
This short notice of the discussion has been
injustice in any way we assure them and the pub
lie that it is unintentional.