Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-05
The Convention adjourned, to meet tomorrow at
,Inoi>

SATURDAY, June !, 1861.
> The President took the chair at IL o'clock I
journal Of Fridays proceedings was read and q
proved
Mr.. Leake, of Richmond, asked leave of absen
for DR.. Myers, for three days, and the same W
granted
The President announced the following commit
on some resolution adopted in secret session: MessI
Smith of johnson, Craige, Hargrove, Ellison al
Durham.
The President also laid before the Convention
communication in answer to a resolution relative
the census returns of this State for the year 1856
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Howard, from the committee on military a
fairs, reported On certain information in answer
resolutions made to the Convention in secret Sc
sion, and recommended that the same be eontfder
italy printed. The report was adopted
Mr.. Bggs called up bis resolution concerning tn
printing OF those matters ordered to be printed i
secret session, which requires the printer and hi
assistants to take an oath Of secrecy, &c, and tn
same was considered and passed.
Mr.. Bachelor introduced a resolution to raise
committee to inquire into the propriety Of publish
ing the last census returns Of this State and to re
| port the manner in which it shall be done.
Mr.. Satterthwaite moved to lay the resolution or
the table, and the motion prevailed
| Mr.. Rufin introduced the following resolution
| Res0Lred, That il be referred to a select commit
| tee to inquire, to-wit: Whether the Constitution
ought not to be amended so as to require that all
bills shall be read three times three several days
in each House of the General Assembly before they
pass into laws. And secondly: whether the Con-
stitution ought not to be amended so as to provide
that the Governor shall hold his Office for the term
OF four years, instead Of two years. and he ineligible
for the next succeeding term and also to vest
in the Governor qualified veto on the acts of the
General Assembly
Mr.. Ruffin said, the subject is an important one,
and will justify the investigation Of a committee
He thought the amendments contemplated in his
resolution, if adopted, would have a wholesome eff.
feet in counteracting the evils Of hasty legislation.
Mr.. Ferebee suggested the extension Of the reso-
luton so as to instruct the committee to inquire
into the expedency of electng the Governor by the
Legislature
Mr. Ruffin declined to accept the suggestion as an
amendment to his resolution.
MIR. Ferebee said he merely offered it as a sug-
gestlon-not as an amendment He would not
urge it.
Mr.. Osborne offered an amendment that the same
committee inquire into the proprety of creating the
office of Lieutenant Governor, and the amendment
was accepted
The resolution was then passed and ordered to be
printed.
Mr. Rayner introduced resolution, to raise
committee to inquire into the propriety Of so amend
ing the Constitution, that the yeas and nays may
not be called in either House of the General Assem-
bly,, except upon the demand of one-fifth of the |
members present Adopted.
by Mr. Ferebee resolution to raise a commit |
lee to inquire into the expediency Of the legislature
meeting on the 10Th of this month, according to its
adjournment. Adopted
Mr.. johnson then moved to take up his ordinance
or amending the Constitution, so as to remove
Jewish disability to hold Office, and the motion pre-
-ailed
The ordinance was then read as follows:
BE at Ordained and Declared by the Delegates to
has Convention, in Contention assembled, and it is
sTe6y Ordained by the authority Of the same,
hat the second section of the fourth article of the
amended Constitution shall be amended to read as
blows:
mo person who shall deny the being of God or
Tho shall hold religious principles Incompatible
nth the freedom or safety of the State, shall be
apabe Of holding any Office or place of trust or |
roflt in the civil department within this State"
The substitute of Mr. Rayner was also read,
hich is in these words:
Res0tUed, That the End Section of the 4th Article
the amended Constitution of North Carolina
lght to be amended so as to read as follows viz:
No person who shall publicly proclaim his disbe-
ef IN the being of God and of his experimenting
evidence over human affairs or of the moral &C.
OF all mankind for their lives and con-
lct in this world, shall be capable of holding any
nee OF trust or profit in the civil department with
this State"
ResOleed, That committee of five be appointed
the chair to prepare an amendment to the Con- {
tuition OF this State in conformity with the FORE
ing resolution
Mr.: johnson said he preferred the original intro
ced by himself because it gives rise to no new
Instruction of the constitution, but merely amends
striking out the phrase which excludes certain
IS OF merItorous citizens from holding Office in
: State
RiOOc 70
ole section from the constitution. He said that C
1850 he had voted to strike out the word pro S
tant" and insert christian" He believes he Il
,ht to have voted then to strike out the whole y
use therefore, he offers the amendment for that Il
pose now.
ir. Rufin said he was in favor of removing the
friction so far as it applied to Jews, but he was
in favor of everybody of all religions and of no
Pagans Coolies-to he eligible C
'tIcc in the State. He said that, if in order, he
I'D move TO amend by adding to the clause as it
STANDS In the Constitution, the words "pro- r.
I'd that the foregoing shall not be so construed as
ender incapable those protesting the Jewish re-
on. -
IT. Osborne said the object of the proposed amend in
It is intended to apply only to the Jews He ar
cts to Mr.. Rayner's substitute, because mans r.
copies are the same whether proclaimed or not ii,
n. Rayner said he would strike out the word, ar
lbcly." a. a.
r. Osborne said that did not help it any, to pro- de
M was to make public He thinks it would be M
er to do what was intended in plain words and tn
" Jews" at once. iy
r: BIggs defended his amendment. He thought ~.
clause in the Constitution was an infringement m
e principle which forbids the adoption OF religl- r
test in order to hold Office O.
r. Kayner said that in framing his amendment fol
ad been careful in the selection of terms-he
led the Constitution to be plain and explicit in "y
matter-that the God in whom belief is requir- "ir
mould De God having personal existence, "u
ne experimenting providence over human af. "b
and who will hold all men to a moral accoun- .scl
lty for their lives and conduct in this world al
'ouic not interfere with mans private religi
opinions, but when proclaimed to the world If ON
neous, they become mischevous. mo
:; Rutfin said that all our laws are founded on der
onrosa tho leiiglous people, therefore he qui
in III. p; d. P,0pT1''oi oi ''he gentleman from yet