Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-02-15

HOG Sn0 piaccs nAu Deeu crctteu TOT them. He objected to that part which the governor and other of ficcrs to serve out their terms; the ob ject in that was to keep somebody in the northwest from getting in some body's way who wanted to go to the United States senate. Four years was long enough term fora circuit judge, and lie was opposed to six years. He wanted a poll tax, for by this constitu- ton we are deprived of our county revenue. There are some men rum ming for high office who did not pay any other tax than . poll, if that. He thought the people should have been consulted on the apporticnment Of the state. He had tried to protect the peo- pie of Conway in framing the instru- ment, but he had been overridden, but he knew his people would protect themselves at the polls.
 Mir. Duvall had been loyal to his country and supported her in her tri- als, but he WIS now disfranchised be-. cause he could not take the oath re- curing him to sustain the social and political equality of the negro, nor did he believe any other respectable hon. est white man could take it. A race had been enfranchised who were SO ignorant that bureau was required to take care of them. Negroes are not citizens of the United .Statee. This constitution was calculated to bring about a conflict of the races he and his children were to pay taxes to edu- cate negroes who paid no taxes.
 Johnson (negro) interrupted the gentleman to say that they had worked to educate de whites, and now dey wanted to have it turn about and cum mp to de same lebci.
 s. The president asked MT. Duvall to finish his remarks, but that gentleman in his seat said that he would have mo- thing further to say in that body.
 MT. Kinds thought the constitution such an one as would suit all those who desired the glory, honor and prosperity of the state. It was neces- sary to the preservation of the govern ment to cnfranchise the negro. We werenow legislating forloyalmen, and to give such men the control of the state was the reasonsthat Deslla and Chicot counties were linked with Drew and Ashley, of which a gentleman [Mr. Moore] had complained. Bcing inter- rupted by Messrs. Moore and Hinklc, the speaker said that his party propo- sed to build more school houses in Ashley county and enlighten its people, as well as those of other counties; as for conway, he believed it was a loyal county. The speaker then declared that the bill granting negroes civil rights was defeated in the legislature once, and would not have been passed had not the city police judge been ar
 rested under the civil rights bill.
 It was. now midnight, and MT. Brad- ley obtained the floor. The stenogra- phic reporter announced that he was too much exhausted to take further re- ports of speeches. Motions were made l to take q recess-to various hours, to | which MT. can't objected and which the president refused to entertain. some proposed to revive the reporter by a 1 walk in the fresh air and stimuiants. MT. Bradley was willing to adjourn if 1 he could have the floor tomorrow. after some twenty minutes delay. in which general conversation, cross fi- ring and wrangling was carried on, Mr Bradley said he would go ahead he did not care to have his speech repor- ted. MT. Mcclure then objected to any | further speaking. The president said 1 as the call of the roll on the main ques- l tiou had been commenced, and the de 1 bate being then allowed only by unan- l imous consent, the objections of the
 member wonld prevent any further re-
 marks. MT. Bradlev thought he had | been chok ed down, but would submit 1 and make his remarks when his name was called. MT. Mont-omery moved { [ call Of the house, which was ordered
 A quorum being found present before the call of the roll was finished, tho president suspended further proceed
 ings under the cail of the house, anC
 directed the calling of the roll on the
 main question, i. e., the passage of th'
 constitution schedule and ordinance
 They passed by the following vote: l Ayes 45, poes 9l. The vote standing
 the same as on the previous question. Absent.-Msssrs. Allen" Gray, oi l Woodruff, Hollis, Hodges, of Critten
 den, Kelly, Merrick, Owen, Picket
 Radcliffe.
 As they were called, all the mem
 bers teok occasion to explain thei
 votes in speech of five minutes length 1 Mr. Beasley had come here recon
 structionist, and he had:been disappoin l ted in the work of the convention l His people were in favor of reconstuc ton, vet he could not face them if h,
 voted infavor of this constitution | While he did not object to bestowin. 1 political rights on the negro, he coul,
 not take part in the distranchisemcn of white men. He objected to tn, superhuous offices created; raising !;
 reyenle by taxing one third of the peo
 pie. and they party disfanclised, t support an eXtravagant government and the msnuer of raising a school tax
 He had tried to have these articles
 moderated. but without success. Tn,
 jerrymandering ofthe districts showed
 such fraud, that as an honest man, h'
 could not vote otherwise than no
 Mir. Bradley had also been an homes
 reconstrucionist. but he conld not talk, part in any attempt to take advantag,
 of the poverty Of white men, insulting
 them by forcing their children into the
 same school with African children
 The speaker proceeded to declaim very
 earnestly against the constitution
 designating it as a dgmnable engine o 1 oppression. He was interrupted by 1 the announcement of the expiration o his five minutes. He had the following explanation entered upon the minutes
 'I ask to bequeath to my posterity nc greater boon, than to record my vot, against that damnable engine ofoppres l sion and ruin. ask my language tc be cut in rock, and lead poured into the letters, to last forever"
 Mr. Brashears voted, aye !; because tho scriptures and Thomas Jefferson had said that al men were born free and equal, and he believed it. He called upon God to witness also that he was honest in his intentions.
 Mir. Brooks was sorry the constitu. ton was not all that could be wished for. The opposition, were pledged tc vote down any character of constitu.