Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-25

demand of the west for equal representation ine
western members of the General Assembly knowing
that for more than fifty ye,rs back, male and female
slaves between the ages of twelve and fifty years
had been taxed only on the POLL and that Tor many
wears only white males between the ages of twenty.
one and forty-ive years had been subjected to cap
itation tax which had been equal on all individuals
subject to 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 proprety 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; that is, the white popua-
ton added to three-ifths of the slave popuation)
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 Serate 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
miSd general repugnance 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 was to be called
even on the federal basis. which would give the west
certain majority therein; but most of all, because
under these circumstances there was no certainty
that art VIII which protected slaves from exces-
sive taxation, would be adopted by the proposed
convention; indeed there was probability that it
would not for We 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 our property the
tax on which might be made exceedingly ruinons.
Have we nothing to apprehend on this
subject in these days of cant and fanaticism9 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
be as patriotic, as magnanimous as the east. God
forbid that should be so unchartable as to believe
otherwise. But they are not more so; for all CON-
terest. l am rot willing to trust my property nor
that of my constituents to the generosity or magma
nimty of any body of men whatever. Faith is not
ofthe articles of my political creed, however
scntia it may be in a creed of another description.
1t is true, as an individual, might appeal and ap-
peal successfully to such feelings. But the west,
acting as community, are like all other commune
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 own party. So, Mr..
Long, of Halifax, and others, who were opposing
the resolutions offered strong of like char
actcr based upon the same facts and the resolutions
were lost by vote of Sc to Co.
At the General Assembly, which convened in
Nov. 1882, law was 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
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-.
sentaton, of which R. NJ. Pearson, of Rowan, was
chairman. Mr.. Pearson made report in favor oil
amending the constitution, and accompanied his re.
pert with bill, not calling a convention, but sub.
| hitting nine specific amendments to the immediate
vote OF tne people, Cne people Of
| the whole State voted "for the amendments" the
Governor to whom the sheriffs of the several coun
ties were to make returns, was 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
| to form a part of the Constitution of the State
! Those amendments proposed to divide the State in
to forty districts upon a mixed basis of the white
population and taxation Of the State combined anf
to give to each district Senator and two members
| in the House of Commons but they provided ir
case any district contained more than one county
then each Of such counties to be entitled to on,
member in the House of Commons. These propos
ed amendments contained no provision to protec
| slave property from excessive taxation, and accord
ingly this plan was not acceptable to eastern mem
bers counter report was submitted by the mi
nority of the committee, signed by D. Outlaw o
BERTHE. in which they urge, that
"All experience has shown that no comn,unit,
has anv security against oppressive taxation unles
they who have to pay them impose the taxes. TIN
onerous exactions made upon the South speak Ian
guage more eloquent and impressive on this subjcc
than any which could be used upon this occasion
1t is known that there are many more slaves in tn
eastern portion of the State than in the west il
proportion to the white population. From this cir
cnmstance the poll tax is even now grossly une
qual-mght it not be made oppressive? The mi
nority Of the committee are far from intending an
reflection on their western brethren, but they ar
unwilling to hold their rights and property at tn
suferance or generosity of any body whatever"
Again We commend these words Of wisdom to tn
consideration of Mr. Outlaws party friends.
The east in body opposed this BILL and in tn
House of Commons it was in parliamentary phras
laid upon the table, on motion of its originator Nj
Pearson. .......
After the loss of this bill, its supporters in til
Assembly held meeting in the city Of Raleigh, an
took steps for organizing committee to address ii
people of the State, so as to elicit an expression
the popular sentiment in favor Of reform, and to
move the sectional opposition to it in the east,
appeals to their patriotism and sense of justic
This committee consisted of WILL H. Haywood, il
R. N. Pearson, R. NJ. Saunders and Thos. Dews
they issued the address which may be found in til
:: Raleigh Register" of June 1s, 1888, previous
the election of members to the next General Assem-
bly,. And during that year the committee, thoue
without any legal sanction. arranged with the she
ifs of many Of the counties to open volunta,
poll for the Peoples votes upon the question
amendment N enoho1v the pon,,lor