Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-29
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NoRTH.cARoLINA STATE CONVENTION.

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NORTH-cARoLINA STATE CONVENTION.
MONDAY, Jure "a, 1861.
The Convention was called to order at the usual
hour-The journal of Saturday was read and ap-
proved. 80
Mr. Biggs introduced resolution providing for
the publication of the ordinances of the Convention
in three papers in this City, and the same passed
its several readings under suspension OF the rule
Mr.. Biggs asked leave to withdraw the motion
made by him on Wednesday last to lay on the
table the motion to reconsider the vote on the reso
luton for adjournment; objection heng made
Mr. Biggs then moved to take from the table the
motion to reconsider.
Mr. Jones of Rowan, demanded the yeas and nays,
which being ordered, resulted-yeas 49, nays ~.
Mr.. Venable then moved to go into secret session,
to receive the report of the Commissioners 10 the
Confederate Government at Richmond.
The motion prevailed and the doors were closed.
After remaining in secret session for some time, the
doors were opened at 1.5O, T. NJ
The morning business was taken up An ordln-
ance reported by Mr. Gilmer from special commit
tee concerning the basis ofTepresentaton' was reaa
On motion Of Mr.. Bggs the report was laid upon
the table.
On motion of Mr. Smith of Johnston, the ordn-
ance on the subject of Soldiers suffrage was taken
up for consideration on its third reading
Mr.. Speed was opposed to the whole matter, but
offered an amendment that the election should be
conducted by three free holders of the company.
Mr.. Satterthwaite obtained the floor and the Con.
vention took a recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The ad calorens ordinance was taken up, being
the special order.
Mr. Smith of Johnston, moved to postpone the
special order, to consider the soldiers suffrage or
dinance-not agreed to.
The Snecial order Vhen last under consideration,
was in committee of the Whole
Mr.. Gorrell moved that the committee be dis
charged from the further consideration of the SUBJ
ject Adopted.
The original ordinance as reported by the CON-
fnttee being under consideration
Mr.. Biggs offered an amendment to substitute
"shalr' for may" in the 7th lIne and the amend
ment was adopted
He then proposed to add the words cor mental"
after bodily" in the 10Th line. Adopted
Mr.. Rufin said the word bodily comprehended
the whole meaning, but he would not object to the
proposed amendment
Mr. Gorrell moved to amend the End section by
striking out all relating to tax on white persons.
Mr.. Graham said there would be much difficulty in
ascertanng the value of slaves under the mode pro-
posed in the ordinance-the subject would be much
simplifed by merely removing the Constitutional
restriction and leave it with the Legislature to lay
an arbitrary tax per capita on all slaves. He
would simply throw out the suggestion for the con-
sideration of the Convention.
Mr.. Ruffin explained the reasons which influenced
the minds Of the committee in adopting the mode
proposed He hoped this question would be settled
now, on just and equitable basis, without any re-
ference to former party or present sectional lines
He was emphatically opposed to the exemption of
white polls from taxation, as proposed by the gen.
tleman from Gulford, (Nr. GorrelD; it would in
volve the necessity of other changes in the Consti
tuition especially where it requires that man shall
have paid public tax before voting.
Mr.. Gorrell defended his proposition to exempt
free white polls. He said those who are thus taxed
are the very persons who are called upon, in all
cases, to defend and protect the property and the
lives of all the other citizens of the State and he
thought it but just to extend to them this slight
boon in return.
Mr.. Badger said the exemption might be made
by designing legislature, the means of depriving
large number of men of the right of suffrage,
der the operation of the law requiring a man to
pay public tax before he can exercise that right
Mr.. Rufin replied to the arguments of Mr.. Cor
rel, and again urged his objections to the PROPOSE
ton for exemption. Those who pay only poll tax
are supported by the public case they become
able to support themselves and their children are
educated IN the schools kept.up by public taxation,
therefore he thought there was no hardship in re-
quiring this contribution to the general advantage
in which they had common share.
Mr.. Gorrell rejOined, and abiding to the remarks
of Mr.. Badger said the people have always the
right of redress in their own hands and should the
Legislature attempt to deprive them of the right
of suffrage, the attempt would be made but once
On motion of Mr.. Barnes, amendment which
he designed to offer to the bill, was ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Rayner said, if the Convention really intend
ed to adjourn on Wednesday next, it ought to be
fully so understood now, and the Convention ought
to sit until midnight otherwise it would be i'm
possible to attend to the business now on the table
Mr.. Graham concurred; he thought it would take
the whole week to complete the business now pend
ing before the Convention
Mr.. Rutfin was also of the opinion that more time
would be required to act properly on questions now
before the Convention than that between now and
Wednesday afternoon
Mr.. Osborne said, if the day of adjournment be
postponed, another day ought to be fixed, and that
no other subjects than those now pending should be
considered
Mr.. Bond offered an amendment to the second
section of the Gd Ualorem ordinance which he de-
sired should be printed with other amendments, and
it was agreed to.
Mr.. Biggs moved to postpone the consideration
OF the special order until tomorrow 1890 A. II.
Leave of absence was asked and obtained for
MeSsrs. PenlaId and Greenlee
Mr. Badger moved to adjourn-rejected, yeas 81,
nays II.
Mr.. Graham moved to take from the table the
motion to reconsider the vote the resolution of
adjournment
Mr.. Meares submitted some remarks to show the
necessity of taking more time to consider the i'm
Portant measures pending before the Convention
Mr.. Graham then withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Barnes moved to postpone the special order
until tomorrow 10 o'clock
Mr.: Graham moved to adjourn-not agreed to,
yeas 80, nays g.
Mr.. Osborne renewed the motion to postpone the
special order until tomorrow 10 o'clock, and the
motion prevailed.
Mr.. Barnes moved that when the Convention ad-
Journ to-day, it adjourn to 9 o'clock tomorrow
morning; adopted.
Mr.. Biggs moved to take from the table the mo-
ton to reconsider the vote on the resolution fixing
the day Of adjournment