Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-05-29
j The STANDARD.
NoRTH.cAsoLINA srATE coNvENTIoN

e Convention met pursuant to adjournment ~
u, Prayer BY Rev. r. s. Mason, d. D. i,
a The Journal Of w ednesday was read and approved
). Mr.. Venablc from the committee to whom was re
terred the subject Of adopting the Consfitution
the Confederate States Of America reported an ordi
naacc for that purpose, together with copy Of tn
Constitution.
Mr.. Rayner introduced resolution requesting the
Governor to communicate to this Convention the 90
ton had by the Executive in pursuance Of act pass
cd at the recent extra session of the General Assem-
bly, authorizing the appointment of Military Board
who had been appointed-,he duties and functions
Of the appointees- ranks ano emuluments-
whether any member Of said Board is holding and
exercising the duties of more than one official posi-
toa md receiving additional pay-and whether there
Are Others holding and exercising the functions Of
more than one official station, with additional work
and entitled to additional omolument and if so, what
the Offices arm and who are holding them.
Mr. Rayner said he was perfectly aware of the re-
sponsibility assumed and the odium likely to be in.
CURED BY one Who undertakes the duty Of inqulr-
ing into the acts and doings Of those in authority,
especially of those having the disposal Of official pat
ronage; but he felt the responsibility Of the position
he occupied and would not shrink from the perform
ance of his duty. He said there was much dissatis
faction manifestng ITSELF
Mr.. Biggs suggested the propriety Of suspending
further discussion the resolution at present. and
that it lie on the table to be considered in secret
session.
Mr.. Osborne concurred in the opinion Of the gen.
tleman last up.
The resolution was laid on the table accordingly
MIR. Battle Of Wake, introduced an ordinance to
amend the Constitution SO that slaves may be taxed
rs high, ad calorsm, as land, but not higher-that
white males shall be taxed per eapita-that there
shall also be poll tax free c0ored males not to
exceed double that levied on whites. and that the
public debt shall not exceed - millions of dollars
except in time of war. The ordinance was read and
laid on the table until tomorrow.
Mr.. Brown presented the resignation Of Mr. Jno.
A. Graves, delegate from Caswell, as delegate to
the Convention. Mr. g. is Captain Of the Yancey
vile Grays, volunteer company, which had been
ordered to the rendezvous at Weldon, preparatory
to going to Virginia, and left on Thursday morning
for that place. The resignation was accepted, and
on motion OF Mr.. Brown, writ of election ordered
to be held on Monday June Sd, to iii the vacancy
Mr.. RuHin introduced q resolution for the ap-
pointment Of committee Of eleven. to whom shall
be referred all proposed amendments of the Constr
tuition, relating to taxation, revenue, and the bor
rowing of money.
Mr.. Spru, Of BERTHE, thought the duties of the
committee would be too onerous; that they would
not be able to give that prompt attention to mat
ters referred to them that due regard to dispatch
Of business may require; besides, If the committee
do not favor action on subjects referred to them,
they might not report at ALL
Mr. Badger moved to amend, by adding and
that said committee be required to report on all
matters referred to them, with all convenient dis
PATCH" and the amendment was accepted.
Mr.. Kitrel said, that so Ear as he was concerned,
having offered an ordinance for amendment to
the Constitution at early day, and which, there
FORE had precedence of other business, he will
ling to give way for the consideration of any meas
ure looking to the defence of the State.
The resolution of Mr. Ruffin was then adopted.
Mr.. Howard moved resolution for q standing
committee on Military affairs. to inquire into And
report on the military organization in this St&te,
and who shall have power to send for persons and
papers.
Mr.. Graham called the attention of the Conven-
ton to . change of the law concerning the Army
and Navy Of the State, consequent upon the abro-
CATION Of the Constitution of the United States and
by which an appointments under the law of the
late session of the General Assembly, are null and
void.
Some suggestions were offered by members for
going into secret session, for the consideration of
the resolution.
Mr.. Howard said he had offered the resolution
that the people might understand that the Conven-
ton intended doing something for those who have
come forward in response to the call for the defence
of our rights. He could no improperly of con.
siderng this resolution in open session. But after
further consultation he agreed to lay it to be
considered in secret session.
Mr. Howard then offered resolution that the
Convention 60 into secret session at l21 O'clock and
It Vas adopted.
Mr. Vensble then moved to take up the report Of
the committee on the ordinance to adopt the Consti
tuition Of the Confederate States, and the motion
prevailed.
Mr.. Graham moved to print the report and make
it the order for tomorrow At ~ o'clock, NJ.
NJ. Craige offered substitute for the ordinance
reported by the committee, and moved that it also
be printed.
Mr.. Dick offered an amendment providing for the
reference Of the ordinance to the people, and asked
80 that 1t be printed with the ordnance.
The motion to by on the table and print vas then
adopted -
Mr. Smith Of Johnston, introduced q resolution
requesting The Governor 70 furnish this Convention
with information concerning the army and navy Of
the State; ordered to lie on the table and to be
printed - = = =.
Mr.: johnson Of Mecklenburg, introduced an ordi
nance to amend the Constitution Sec 2, art 4 in re
gard to qualification for holding civil Office
Mr. Rayncr offered an amendment
The ordnance and amendment were laid on tn,
table and ordered to be printed
Mr.. Bggs introduced resolution that the Con
vention shall hereafter meet in daily session at Il
o'clock, and shall take recess from II to 81 o'clock
Pm
Mr.. Badger moved to strike out 40" and inser
I'll, and humorously advocated his amendment
He said it looked undgniied for such an honorable
body as the Convention of North. Carolina to NEE
at SO early an hourhe also objected to the recess
it did not give time enough for the masticaton o
the food and might be instrumental in bringing Of
dyspepsia and thus deprive the Convention Of the val
liable services Of some of its members.
Mr.. Biggs replied in the same strain He consent
ed to atsike sths clause concerning the recess, bu
shsistea2sfhe hoor of meeting being set for tel
O'Clock.
The qasstaa~ss put and decided in the afirma
tive. sis..s
AT la} o'clock. the doors wereclosed and the Con
sention went into secret session.
FRIDAY. May "a, 1861.
The Convention was called to order by the Pres
ident, at 10 o'clock Prayer by Rev. j. \. At
kinson ~,
nr, ,,ns;n,, of n. D.:Jt