The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-01-29

OAyll6QG % tuc Oc8uCu ioitSAos Asss<ls' $3.50
obviate the difficulty. Besides, gentlemen.
had argued that there was bnt one method
-apd that was to lay taxes BE held the
Convention to be the supreme power in the
State representing the people themselves
Such had been the decision in the C0nyen-
ton of '35.
Power to lay taxes-what does that meant
There are $4,000 now in the Treasury.
With this power to tax, it would be absurd
ia pass over THAT amount and go to the peo-
pie tor another goose egg to hatch enough
money for the Convention. Ifnot on band,
then necessarily this power would be exer.
cised, but there was no susc burdening the
people while there was a large amount in the
Treasury. 1t ought to be known also, what
the Provisional officers were going to do.
It was important, and for one he desired to
know. -s,. .s..s So. isa
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, said be didn't
fear the Treasurer's not paying. This was
the only constitutional body, which had as
sembled in this Capitol for five years. It
had been recognised as such by Gov. Worth.
But be didn't desire to draw his money at
once. He would spend it too fast. After
other remarks,
Mr.. Graham, of Orange, said that if the
small minority of Conservatives left, he
would like to enquire of the opposition,
what chance they would have for display
Of learning. But they had been asked how
they could set in Convention, believed by
them to be unconstitutional. He would
obey the laws, until 60 declared, and hoped
it would be done at an early day. He did
not intend to resist by force There had
been enough of that But while he obeyed,
he would confne himself to the strict letter
of the law. Now to answer the gentleman
from Washington. in relation to the powers
of the Convention, he would remind him
that the letter of an Elk Chief Justice had
killed the acts of former Convention before
the people, because he showed that it had
exceeded its powers. This Convention
should therefore confine itself to the law
But he would vote against what he thought
unconstitutional and obey the laws, until de-
clared null and void, though there were SO
many, and new one about to be made,
that it was hard to keep up. Some dele
gates here who were SC loyal, kept up
doubtless, and nightly prayed,
''' Now lay me down to sleep,
The reconstruction faith keep,
If it should change before wake,
Z 9 Help me another charge to make.
Laughter
Mr.. Welker said that it was plain the
Governor had recognised the c0nstitutlonality
of the Convention, and no doubt the Treas
urer would do so. So when he voted for
this ordinance it was not to embarrass that
officer There was no necessity to call on
Gen. Candy.
The amendment of Mr. Heaton was adop-
ted.
Mr.. Ellis said this resolution only amount
ed to request and he could see no reason,
why it should not be passed. This Conven-
ton had assembled under laws of Congress,
and whether constitutional or unconstitu-
tional, and every one has an opinion as to
that, nevertheless they were laws until re-
pealed or declared void. The Treasurer can
be requested to pay; if he refused tax can
be levied.
Mr.. Abbott-and the members 60 home
unpaid-for five months perhaps. What
feasible method of collection has been pre-
sented
Mr.. Ellis said he did not oppose
the passage of the ordinance-there
was no improperly in it. The Treas
urer might be called upon, and if there was
no response, o tax could then be levied. The
Convention was acting under laws, which
were laws until set aside by some competent
power.
Mr. Durham said the delegate from Ca
tavba admitted one important point. The
Treasurer was a bonded officer. He act
ed under laws of the State Of course
he is liable if money is paid out illegally
And may not the reconstruction acts be de-
clared unconstitutional Besides they do
not call upon the Treasurer for money. If
he disburses illegally his sureties will be
bound for it.
The previous question being called by Mr..
Sweet and sustained, Mr.. Durham demanded
the yeas and nays, which resulted as fol-
lows:
FoR.-Messrs. Abbott, Andrews, Ashley,
Aydlott, Barnes, Benbow, Blume, Bradley ,Bry-
an, Carey, Carter, Gambler, Cherry, Chillson,
Congleton. Cox, Dickey, Duckworth, Ellis,
Eppes, Fisher, Forkner, Franklin, French
| of Bladen, French, of Rockingham, French,
of Chowan, Fullings, Gahagan, Galloway, Gar
land, Garrett, George Glover, Graham Of
Montgomery, Grant, of Wayne, Grant Of
Northampton, Gulley, Gunter, Harris, Of
Wake, Hay Hayes, of Robeson, Hayes of Hal
flax, Highsmith, Hobbs, Hodnett, Hotter
Hollowell, Hood, Hyman, Ing, Jones o.
Caldwell, Jones, of Washington, King. o.
Lincoln, King, of Lenoir, Kinney, Latin, Lee
Legg, Logan, Long, Mann, Mayo, Marler, Nc
Cubbins, Mcdonald, of Chatham, Med Donald
of Moore, Moore Morton, Mullican, Murphy
Nance, Newsom, Nicholson, Parker, Parks
Petree, Peterson. Pierson, Pool. Ragand
Ray, Read, Renfrow, Rhodes, Rich, Rob
bins, Rodman, Rose, Smith. Stilley, Stllwell
Sweet, Taylor, league, Trogden, Tucker
Turner, Watts, Welker, Williams, of Wake
and williamson
AaAMsr-Messrs. Baker, Daniel, Dowd
Durham, Etheridge, Graham, of Orange Holt
Lennon, Merritt, Sanderlin, Tourgee an.
Williams, of Sampson.
Mr.. Daniel stated that he voted for 80 De
day, because he thought the delegates would
be some time in getting it. Under thes
circumstances, he now voted no.
Mr.. Tourgee said: Iregard the Provision
al officers as placed entirely and solely unde
the control Of the District Commanders q
subordinate officers of a military govern
nent, and this Convention has therefor
no direct supervision or control over them
therefore vote no.
Mr.. Dowd voted no, because he was M
satisfied whether the reconstruction act
provide for pay in this manner.
Mr.. Williams, of Sampson, made an expla
nation-which the Reporter did not hear
Will be given tomorrow.
After announcements of the meetings {
the various committees,
On motion of Mr.. Taylor, the Conventio
adjourned.