The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-12
N. c. STATE CONVENTION.

introduced an ordinance restraining the taxing
of excessive usury. Mr. Walkup, an ordinance
extending the time for perfecting titles to land
sold for taxes.
The most OF the session was devoted to con-
sideriDs constitutional amendments. The office
of Lieutenant Governor was created.
WEDNESDAY, June 6.-Mr Adams offered
petition from citizens Of Davidson county, pray
ing the Convention to give the people tie right
of electing Judges Solicitors, &c.
An ordinance to incorporate the North Car
DINA Petroleum and Mining Company was
passed.
Mr. Walkup introduced an ordinance to au-
thorize the speedy trial of minor offences before
three Justices of the Peace.
Mr. Mcdonald, of Moore, moved that the
Convention take up the report of the committee
on Federal relations, being resolutions to send
Commissioners to Washington city Not agreed
to- ayes AZ, nays 45.
Constitutional amendments were then con-
sidered.
THURSDAY, Juae MIR McIver introduced
the following:
Resolved. That the Hons F Moore. Bedford
Brown. Lewis Thompson. Nathaniel Boyden and
Alfred Dockery be appointed to wait upon the
President of the United States and inform him
that the Convention of the people of North Caro-
lima. called together under his authority. is about
to close the abnrs for which it convened,
and to give to him the highest assurances of the
confidence of the people of this State, of their
gratitude for his magnanirnty. and their deter
minatipn to look to the Union of the States, under
the Constitution, as the only hope of safety and
freedom; ana that they confer with him as to any
further action by this Convention.
Mr. Buxton moved a suspension of the rules
and urged the passage of the resolution.
The question recurring, the rules were sus-
pended-yeas 60. nays 80.
The question being on the passage of the res
olution. on motion of Mr. Bingham ir was ordered
to be printed and made the special order for the
hour of 5 o'clock 2. NJ
Mr. Dick moved to take up for present consid-
Grafton the resolutions reported by select COM
mittee, as substitute for the resolutions of Mr.
Mcdonald, of Moore, to send Commissioners to
Washington.
The question being .suspending the rules,
Mr. Dick said that it necessary to send
Commission to Washington. We could no Ion
ger occupy our present position. All changes
of Constitution were utterly useless until the
State restored to the General Government
Unless this question is decided, all this work
would have to be done over again. The radical
majority in Congress is sustained by the masses
of the Northern people, and in this controversy
between the Congress and the President,
should ascertain what to do to strengthen the
Presidents hands Mr. D. thought we had little
to hope from the Fall elections at the North, for
were the radicals reduced to a bare major
ity they still would have power to excludes US.
He again characterized as highly impotic. the
election to high representative positions of men
who had figured prominently in the rebellion.
Mr. Phillips addressed the Convention, arguing
at length the inutily of sending Commission
to Washington. contemplated by the resolu-
tons. The Presidents terms Of reconstruction
were known and had been fully complied with,
and Congress had already set forth in plain.
tin Sh tha form 0f Tha
authorities of the government had but one way of
speaking. and that was by Legislation according
to the forms of the Constitution, and he did not
suppose that any one imagined anything could
be done by any Commission may send. to
stay the passage of measures not yet matured.-
In our present darkness and incertitude. he pro-
posed that we should remain silent and do moth
ing. If the Commission were sent and consulted
Congress, the Preaident would be naturally
Jealous. If the President were consulted Con-
gress would be jealous. If the Commission
should go from to the other it would secure
the respect and confidence of neither and in this
event the resolutions approving the Presidents
policy would be worse than waste paper. Re-
garded by majority of Congress the rebel
ous representatives of rebeous people. could
it be supposed for moment. that any embassy
may send, induce change of Congress
onal policy.-a policy sustained by twothirds
vote the Presidents veto Whatever tended
to a restoration of the State to the Union.
mended itself to his jud gment; but he regarded
this as time when silence and patient waiting
for further developments would be both polite
and dignified.
Mr. Dick replied briefly, moving in conclusion.
that the resolutions under consideration, together
with those introduced by Mr. McIvor. this mora
ing be made the special order for IL O'Clock to-
The Convention having refu sed to suspend the
rules. motion of Mr. Dick the resolutions were
made the special order for 9 clock to morrow.
An ordinance repeating the provisions of an
act of the General Assembly, in relation to ne
groes and persons of color or of mixed blood,
passed its several readings under suspension of
the rules.
FRIDAY. June S.-Mr Mebane introduced
resolution that the Convention adjourn sine die
/ on Tuesday the 18th inst. Lies Overcome day.
Mr. Caldwell. Of Burke, from $. lect Committee.
submitted a minority report, recommending the
passage of the ordinance prohibiting the General
Assembly from coBferring offices upon its mem
berS.
The Convention resumed consideration of the
ordinance to repeal section ii of an act concern
ing negroes aud persons of color. or Of mixed
blood. and the amendments thereto. After fur
Their discussion and amendments the ordinance
passed its 2nd and Sd readings.
The Convention proceeded to a further consd-
Grafton of the amended Constitution.
Mr. Adams moved to amend sec of Article
". by limiting the term of office of Judges of
the Supreme aud Superior Courts to eight years.
R.:i+ cted
Mr. Love moved to amend the section to limit
the term of Supreme Court Judges to good be
havipr and Judges of the Superior Courts to IL
years. Rejected.
Mr. Dick moved to atnand sec g. by providing
that the Judges of the Superior Courts shall be
elected by the people for a term of eight years
The amendment was rejected by the following