Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-21
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slaves between the ages of twelve and fifty years
had been taxed only the poll, and that for many
years only white males between the ages OF twenty
one and forty.ive years had been subjected to cap
itatun tax Which had been equal on all individuals
subject 70 the same were willing to incorporate
clause in the Constitution which would secure the
then existing state of things. Accordingly, certain
resolutions were introduced into the House OF Com
mons by Mr. Whitaker, of Macon, having for their
object the calling of convention upon the basis OF
federal population, which convention, when assem-
bled was to be restricted to considering and deter
mining upon the propriety of adopting or rejecting
eight several proposed articles of amendment or any
or all of them The first amendment suggested pro-
posed to make counties the basis OF representation
in the Senate; the second and third proposed to
make federal numbers Chat is, the white popula-
ton added to three-ifths of the slave populatonJ
the basis of representation in the House OF Com.
mons The seventh article suggested, proposed
that
"No higher taxes shall be imposed on the slave
than on the white poll and slaves shall not be taxed
at an earlier age than twelve years, nor at later
age than fifty years."
These resolutions were not universally acceptable
to western members because the county basis was
retained in the Senate and because provision was
made to submit the result of the conventions labors
to the appreciation Of the people, but no objection
was made by the western members to the proposed
seventh article But eastern members were opposed
to them in toto, because there was in the popular
mind genegAi fepugnance to changes in the organ
ic law; because it IS difficult for men to yield up
political power; because they did not see how the
members of the convention would be bound by the
attempted limitation of their powers; because
proposition to change the seat of Government was
embraced in the VIII art Of the proposed amend
ments; because the convention to be called
even the federal basis which would give the west
a certain majority therein but most of all because
A.. osr,ktr
that art. VIII which protected slaves from exces-
sive taxation, would he adopted by the proposed
convention; indeed there probability that 1T
would not for find in the speech of Mr.. Outlaw,
of BERTHE made in the debate upon these resolutions,
he says:
But sir there is one species of orr property the
tax on which might be made exceedingly ruinous.
Have we nothing to apprehend on this
subject in these days of cant and fanaticism: Is
there not at this moment proposition before an
other branch of the legislature. to remove free ne
groeS by taxing slaves? Sir, believe the west to
he as patriotic, as magnanimous as the east God
70, bid that should be so unchartable as to believe
otherwise. But they are not more so for all COM
munities taken communities, are actuated by in
terest. | am not willing to trust my property nor
that of my constituents to the generosity magma
nimity of any body of men whatever. Faith is not
one of the articles of my political creed however
sontial it may be in creed Of another description
1t is true, an individual, | night appeal and ap
peal successfully to such feelings. But the west
acting as a community, are like all other communi-
ties and would be much more likely to consult their
own interests than any romantic notions of generos-
ity or honor"
There is wisdom in these opinions we commend
them to the careful perusa and consideration of the
members of Mr.. Outlaws party. So, Mr..
Long of Halifax, and Others who were opposing
the resolutions offered strong of like char
basal tho foptc oDH tho rnSolutiODS
| were lost by vote of sc to 50.
At the General Assembly, which convened in
Now, 1882, law passed to rebuild the Capitol
at Raleigh thus separating the removal Of the seat
! of government from the convention question: and
agitation was again renewed for the purpose Of
I amending the constitution. joint select commit
mittee upon the part of both houses was appointed
! to consider and report upon the subject of con-
ventiOn for providing more equal basis of repre-
| sentation, of which r. NJ. Pearson, of Rowan, was
/ chairman. Mr.. Pearson made q report in favor OF
amending the constitution, and accompanied his re-
port with BILL not calling a convention, but sub
uniting nine specific amendments to the immediate
vote of the people, and if majority of the people of
| the whole State voted "for the amendments the
Governor to whom the sherifS of the several coun-
ties were to make returns, to communicate that
! fact to the next General Assembly and from and
after the communication of said fact to the General
! Assembly by the Governor, such amendments were
?
Those amendments proposed to divide the State in.
to forty districts, upon mixed basis of the white
population and taxation Of the State combined and
10 give to each district Senator and two members
! in the House of Commons, but they provided in
! case any district contained more than one county,
then each Of such counties to be entitled to one
! member in the House of Commons These propos
ed amendments contained no provision to protect
slave property from excessive taxation and accord
ingly this plan was not acceptable to eastern mem.
! bcrS. counter report submitted by the mi
! nority of the committee, signed by d. Outlaw oil
BERTHE. in which they urge that
| "All experience has shown that no community
has anv security against oppressive taxation, unless
! they who have to pay them impose the taxes The
onerous exactons made upon the South speak Ian
guage more eloquent and impressive on this subject
! than any which could be used upon this occasion
1t is known that there are many more slaves in the
eastern portion of the State than in the west in
proportion to the white population. From this cir
cumstance the poll tax is even now grossly une
qual-might it not be made oppressive? The mi
nority of the committee are far from intending any
reflection on their western brethren, but they are
unwilling to hold their rights and property at the
sufferance or generosity of any body whatever"
Again we commend these words of wisdom to the
consideration of Mr.. Outlaws party friends.
The east in body opposed this bill, and in the
House of Commons it was, in parliamentary phrase
laid upon the table motion of its originator Mr.
Pearson.
After the loss of this bill, its supporters in the
Assembly held meeting in the city of Raleigh, and
took steps for organizing committee to address thu
people of the State, so as to elicit an expression
the popular sentiment in favor of REFORM and to re
move the sectional opposition to it in the east, by
appeals to their patriotism and sense of Justice
This committee consisted of Will H. HAYWOOD Jr
r. NJ. Pearson, r. NJ Saunders and Thos. Dews
they issued the address which may be found in the
Raleigh Register" of June IS, 1883, previous t.
the election of members to the next General Assem-
bly,. And during that year the committee, though
without any legal sanction, arranged with the sher
ifs of many of the counties to open voluntar,
poll Tor the Peoples votes upon the question O
amendment so as to embody the popular will anC
lay it before the succeeding Assembly the petition
Of the People to their Representatives. for redress
The highest vote which had been given in this Stat
at that time for Electors of President of the United
States was $4,000. More than 10000 votes were
voluntarily cast in this way in favor of conven
ton with limited noverc onl,, TWO, A. H..