Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-03
The STANDARD.
NoRTH-cARoL1NA STATE CONVENTION.

SIdYVQtVs
NoRTH.cARoLINA STATE CONVENTION.
MONDAY, June "a, 1851.
The Convention was called to order at the usual
hour-The journal Of Saturday was read and ap-
proved.
the publication of the ordinances of the Convention
in three papers in this City; and the same passed
its several readings under as,spension OF the rule
Mr. Biggs asked leave TO withdraw the motion
made by hin on Wednesday last, to lay on the
table the motion to reconsider the vote on the reSo
luton for adjournment; objection being 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 TO- nays ~.
Mr.. Venablc then moved to so into secret session,
to receive the report of the Commissioners 10 Tue
Confederate Governmen: at Richmond
The motion prevailed and the doors were closed
After remaining in secret session for some time, the
doors were opened at l.50. P. ii.
The morning business was taken up. An ortin-
ance reported by Mr.. Gllmer from special commit
tee concerning the basis ofrepresentation, was read
On motion Of Mr.. Biggs the report was laid upon
the table
On motion of Mr.. Smith of Johnston, the ordin-
e~N>~-,
up fo- 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.. Sattcr,hwaite obtained the floor and the Con.
vention took recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The ad ralorem 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 special order, when 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 COM
mttee being under consideration.
Mr. Bggs 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, "or mental, ="
after bodily" in the 18th line. Adopted.
Mr.. RuiHn 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
asccrtainng the value of slaves under the mode pro-
posed in the ordnance-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 offer no amendment on the subject but
would simply throw out the suggestion for the con-
sideration of the Convention.
Mr.. Rufin 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 Guilford Mr. GorrelD; it would in
vove 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 deprivng
large number of of the right of suffrage, un.
der the operation of the law requiring man to
pay public tax before he can exercise that right
Mr.. Rubin replied to the arguments of Mr. Cor.
rell, and again urged his objections to the PROPOSE
ton for exemption Those who pay only poll tax
are supported by the public IN case they become un
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
curing this contribution to the general advantage
in which they had a common share.
Mr.. Gorreli rejolned, and abiding to the remarks
Of Mr.. Badger said, the people have always tn,
right of redress in their hands, and should tn,
Legislature attempt to deprive them of the RICH
OF suffrage the attempt would be made but once.
On motion of Mr.. Barnes, an amendment which
he designed to offer to the bill, was ordered to b.
printed.
Mr.. Rayner said, if the Convention really intend
ed to adjourn on Wednesday next, it ought to b.
fully SO understood now, and the Convention ough
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 tax
the whole week to complete the business now pend
ing before the Convention.
Mr. Rufin was also of the opinion that more tim
would be required to act properly on questions nov
before the Convention than that between now an
Wednesday afternoon
Mr.. Osborne said, if the day of adjournment
postponed, another day ought to be fixed, and tina
no other subjects than those now pending should
considered
Mr.. Bond offered an amendment to the secon
section OF the dd UaL0rem ordinance which he DE-
sired should be printed with other amendments, an
it was agreed to.
Mr.. Biggs moved to postpone the considerable
Of the special order until tomorrow 1890, A. NJ
Leave of absence was asked, and obtained fo
Messrs Penlard and Greenlee
Mr.. Badger moved to adjourn-rejected yeas 81
nays Il.
Mr.. Graham moved to take from the table tn
motion to reconsider the vote on the resolution
adjournment
Mr.. Meares submitted some remarks to show tn
necessity Of taking more time to consider the in
portant measures pending before the Convention
Mr.. Graham then withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Barnes moved to postpone the special ordt
until tomorrow ~ o'clock
Mr.. Graham moved to adjourn-not agreed t
yeas 80, nays GA.
Mr.. Osborne renewed the motion to postpone IL
special order until tomorrow 10 o'clock, and Il
motion prevailed
Mr. Barnes moved that when the Convention a
journ to-day, it adjourn to 9 o'clock to-morro
odo tod - .