The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-04
N. c. STATE CONVENTION.


affairs of the State. A long discussion followed,
some dissatisfaction with the action of the Military
Board being at the foundation we suppose. The
resolution postponed be considered in secret
session.
On Tuesday the Ordinance for the adoption of
the permanent Constitution of the Confederate
Ntates was under consideration. Mr. K Dick
made speech on his motion for submitting it to a
vote of the people.
On Wednesday, Mr. Christian offered a resolu-
ton of inquiry to the propriety of amending the
Constitution as to allow the people to elect Ma
gistratcs. Referred to special committee.
Nh Galloway of Wilkes, offered the following,
which was adopted:
That a special committee of seven be appointed to
consider the propriety of amending the Constitution so
to provide that ablebodied white man shall vote
for members of the House of Commons unless he shall
have paid poll tax for the year preceding, nor for
members OF the Senate unless he has paid properly
equal to the tax $500 value of real estate, for
the year preceding; and that the right amend the
Constitution by legislative enactment shall be abolished
Mr. Dicks resolution to refer the permanent
Constitution of the Confederate States to a vote
of the people discussed by Messrs Badger,
Graham Rufin and Sanders Messrs. Badger and
Rufhn opposed reference and Mr. Graham favored it.
On Thursday, the President announced COM
munication from the Messenger sent to Mont
gomery, transmitting letter from Hon X Toombs,
Sec'y of State, the proclamation of President Davis
admitting North Carolina a member Of the Con-
federate States, and an authenticated copy Of the
permanent Constitution of the Southern COnfcd-
eracy.
On Monday, the 9th, Mr. Speed introduced the
following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, The Convention has been invested with
supreme power, to meet extraordinary and danger
emergency and to exert its best energy
the safety and promote the welfare of the Common
wealth. unbiased by any influence that might arise from
proposed advancement
bers therefore,
Resolved, That this Convention will not confer any
appointment of political trust profit upon any of its
members.
A1r Osborne moved to lay the resolution the
table MIR Speed demanded the yeas and nays on
the motion, which, being seconded, Mr. Osborne
withdrew his motion.
MIR Speed then advocated the passage of the
resolution. He alluded to the blockade of the
Virginia ports and the threatening aspect of Affairs
on own border, and said, the Convention had
been in session eight days, and all that has been
DONE was accomplished within the first six hours
Of the session. He said that more attention
seemed to be given to the question of " who shall
represent North Carolina in the Congress of the
Confederate States, than to the Necessary defence
of the State against the invading foe; the people
have sent delegates to represent them in the Con-
vention, and they ought not to be sent away as
members of Congress; nor should they spend their
time in going from room to room, log-rolling, and
in turning the stone for those who have axes to
grind.
Mr. Osborne replied. He said, the subject Of
who shall be elected to the Congress Montgomery
had never been agiated in his presence and if the
gentleman had seen anything of the log-rolling he
speaks OF, he has more than | have. He was
opposed to the resolution, because he wished to
mainta unaninlity..in the Convention for the pro-
tectiCn Of the interests of the State He was uu-
willing to be restricted in his choice of delegates
to Congress, and thought the proposition dcgrsd-
ing to this body He knows it is difficult to forget
old party ties, but he would be willing 10 vote Tor
one to whom he had formerly been opposed. He
mentioned the names of the gentleman from
Orange, (Mr Graham, the gentleman from Wake
(Nr Badgcr,) and the gentleman from Guilford,
(Mr Gilmer.) and said he would not like to be de-
barred the privilege of voting for either Of these
if he wished to do So
Mr. kittrell said, he was not in when the resolu-
tion introduced and asked if there were any
limit to time. CThe resolution was again read
Mr. K. sald a large portion of the talent Of the
State is embodied in this Convention, and it would
be unjust and injurious to the State to thus de-
prlVe her OF the services of such men.
Mr. Speed rejoined. He said he would choose
his own time and manner of speaking his scnti-
meDts, and if gentlemen suppose he will do So they
mistake their man. He said it is rumorcd in the
and the hotels and in this hall that men are wire
working and logrolling for the office of member Of
Congress- and that it strange that the gentleman
from Mecklenburg (Mr Osborne) has not heard it, II
Il very strange too if the gentleman has buried all
party feeling that he should alIude three prominent
gentlemen on this floor heretofore acting with the
party opposed to that of the gentleman lie thought
1t unnecessary TO come to the Convention to select
delegates to Congress, because North Carolina had as
much talent out of the Convention rs in it,
Dir Rayner thought that it would be better that
the resolution should lie on the table; it may be
necessary to extend it-he thought he should 90
for 1T but he suggested that the end might be OBJ
tanned BY each member rising in his place and de-
ciarlng that he will not accept any office while
member OF the Convention. Mr. r. said he was
surprised at the remarks of the gentleman from Neck
lenbuFg, (Mr Osborne in abiding to three prominent
gentlemen of this body. Was it bid? He thought
this sort of alusion wrong-that certain journal in
venton, and the category had placed the names of
two gentlemen who in any legislative body
before while the gentleman from Orange (Mr Graham)
was at the tail of the list, and the gentleman from
wen lAr Brown and the gentleman from Granville
tMr fenable,) were not even named He said he
thought the resolution ought to be extended; but if
the election must be had let it be had TODAY and the
matter disposed Of
Mr. kittrell offered an amendment extending the re-
strcton to members OF the last General Assembly and
members of the last session of the u S. Congress
ar oSooFne again addressed the Convention in OPP
posluon 10 the resolution, and was followed by
Mr. SPralI OF Berthe, who favored the resolution
he was sent here by of all parties hoped that
others VINO preached the burial of party feelings will
practise what they preached He thought there were
plenty ofmen out of the Convention to ill the offices
required.
ar Osborne moved to postpone the resolution indie
6niteIy.