The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-19
nv. G. LEGISLATURE.


AD VALoREM.-Mr Bledsocs bill to tax slaves
ad valorem under consideration in the Senate
on the 9Th. Mr. Barringer preferred to resclnd
the section of the Constitution restricting the tax
on negroes-thought the whole question Of taxa
ton should be left open to the Legislature. Mr.
Street favored a per capita system of negro taxa
ton. Mr. Avery, in reply TO an intimaton from
Dir Dockery, that every Senator disposed to
vote for the bill said that for one it could not get
his vote; he would not vote for the measure IN
any shape or form; striking the restriction from
the Constitution would lead to an out and out
system of ad valOrem taxation upon all property.
1t was useless to disguise it he stood pledged
against this people were against any change IN
the CONSTITUTIONAL rdiorem would deprive the
West of at least four Senators MIR Bedsoe
argued that it was necessary to tax negroes upon
the dd val0rena system in order to carry out in
good faith the compromise of 1885, which to
give the East the ma ority in the Senate and the
West in the House. Mr Erwin asked Mr. Bedsoe
if he thought ad raiorem would increase the
strength of the East in the Senate. Mr. Bledsoe
said he did. Dir Erwin was not opposed to taxing
slaves upon al Uaiorcna system; but he did not
favor the project for the purpose of effecting
political power in the East or in the West. Mr.
Thomas OF jackson opposed the bill; he was for
maintaining the compromises Of the Constitution,
and opposed to meddliDg with them, for this med
understood Mr. Bledsoe to say that the people Of
the East were asking the West tC permit them to
tax their negroes-did he say that ? Mr. Bedsoe
spoke only for his constituents they believed that
adj uaforena was necessary to carry out In good
faith the compromise OF 1885, that the East
might retain its ascendancy in the Senate. Mr.
Avery represented more slave owners than Mr.
Bledsoe, and he felt it his duty to protect them
this floor; he believed this bill would bring about
a straight out ad uolorena. Mr. Dockery regretted
sectional issues had been brought into the discus
sion and spoke at length in favor of the bill. Mr.
Avery asked Mr. Dockery if he believed that land
negroes, money and bank stock should be taxed
upon equality. Mr. Dockery answered that he
would put land and negroes the I'D rdl0rena
system he did not think that bank stock and
capital should be put upon equality with land J;
he was perfectly willing put interests and divi
dends upon footing with land. Mr. Avery asked,
in arranging the revenue, whether he would place
land which pays 81 on equality with bank stock
which pays 81 upon the $1,000? Mr. Dockery
could not say what he would do
An amendment by AIr Turner striking out the
whole Of the original bill, prevailed by vote Of
"a to IA.
The question now was on the substitute of Mr.
Dobson. Mr. Bledsoe moved an amendment re-
stricting the Legislature to fifteen millions Of dol
lars in creating the public debt, except in case Of
insurrection war-which adopted, % to II
Mr. Erwin offered an amendment exemptlno from
taxation household furniture to the amount of
$500, and live stock to the amount of 500, and
said his people were willing to pay their just pro-
portion of the State tax, but as most of their
property consisted Of live stock he felt it his duty
to offer such amendment to protect them to
some extent as well as for the purpose OF keeping
the tax collector from rumaging over the beds and
kitchen furniture Of an old woman. Mr. Pitchtord
said if We are to have an nd Uo(or~m system Of
taxation, why except anything; if We are after the
negro let US tax the negro; if meant ad ralo-
rem, let US tax everything, even the immortal tin
cup.
The question on the amendment proposed
by Mr. Erwin, relative to exempting furniture aud
stock and it was adopted-aycs II, noes Is.
Mr. Avery moved to exempt toreverall live stock
except such as now taxed; and $500 worth of
household furniture. MIR Dockery opposed the
omendment-he thought stock should not be
taxed. Mr. Pitchiord asked if one man had IS 600
invested in stock and another had 81 900 invested
in negro, whether the cattle should not be taxed
upon the value the negro? Mr. Dockery
thought not.
A lengthy debate followed which was partici-
pated in by Messrs. Dockery, Irwin, Bledsoe,
Avery, Humphrey and Thomas of jackson, during
which the vote on Mr. Erwins amendment was
considered, and the amendment withdrawn.
The question on Mr. Averys amendment, ex-
empting stock and certain amount Of household
furniture, resulted-ayes Is, noes 81 rs follows:
Afirmative-Messrs Avery, Dickson, Dobson.
Erwin, Faison, 1arrss of f., Lane, Shaw, Sim
mons, Simpson, Stowe, Thomas of j., Thomas of
D., Walker and Waugh-15.
Neeative-Messrs. Arendel Brown, Bledsoe
Barringer, Blount, Dockery, Dowd, Humphrey,
Pitchford, Rogers, Street, Sharp, Slaughter, Spen
Ger, Stubs, Taylor of n, Turner, Whitaker, Win
stead Whedbee and Worth-2l
Mr. Thomas, in the course of his remarks, said
the al ualoren movement had been sprung at the
centre, and by politicians about Raleigh-the
people had not asked for it. Mr. Bledsoe said it
was a favorite argument with some persons to
ab1se Raleigh and Raleigh cliques"- thought
more great men had been made out of small ma
terial by this " Raleigh clique" than by any other
means Mr. Thomas: Did | understand the Sena-
tor from Wake to say that the . Raleigh clique
had made great men out of small material? Mr.
Bledsoe: | did. Mr. Thomas: Blowing TO Mr.
Bledsoe) l agree with the Senator. Laughter
An amendment offered by Mr. Avery, to exempt
certain stock and household furniture re-
jected by vote of q to 10. The further con-
sideration of the subject then postponed.
RESPONSIVENESS against the passage of Stay
Law were presented from citizens of Cumberland
and New Hanover counties.
The bill to charter the Bank ofThomasville was
passed-branches to be located at Concord and
Morehead city A bill to authorize all the sherifs
to collect tax arrearaees passed. we'll as bills