The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-03-10
N. C.. CONVENTION.

Mr. Andrews presented petition for divorce
between certain parties. Mr. Blume: a petition
of the same character. Referred.
Mir Heaton offered resolution that the Con-
vention shall adjourn on the 18th inst.
Harris of Wake (col. J, a resolution providing
that the roll shall be called each morning; and
another resolution that no member receive pay
after the 10Th inst
On motion of Mr. Heaton, the rules were sus-
pended to take up his resolution, setting apart
the 18th instant for Adjournment.
Mr. Rodman moved an amendment that, after
the 18th inst, no member shall receive pay. Mr.
Heaton accepted it.
Mr. Gambler offered substitute ''that it is the
sense of this Convention that We adjourn on the
18th inst but if the work is incomplete, that
this Convention have the power to rescind IT'S
action in this case" Carried.
BY Mr. Gambler, resolution approving the
impeachment of President johnson and giving
thanks to Congress for so doing. Lies over.
Mr. Watts ordinance, prohibiting the collee-
ton of all debts based upon the purchase or hire
of slaves and all debts contracted to sustain the
rebellion, coming up, Mr. Watts said this subject
did not enter into reputation, except so far as
necessary. He was not willing to repudiate any
debt except for the purchase or hire of slaves
Mr. Gambler offered an amendment: "Procided,
that debts contracted for the purchase or hire of
slaves prior January, '63, shall be collected"
Dir Graham of Orange, moved to lay the ordi
nance on the table. The motion was put to a
vote and prevailed. 81,
The President announced as committee on final
arrangement Of the Constitution, Messrs. Heaton,
Nicholson and Rodman. e..
TUESDAY, March 3.
Mr. Forkner from the committee on privileges
and elections in the case of John NJ. Marler of
Yadkin, reported against him in favor Of Mr.
Marshal.
After long quarrel about the matter, the
Convention decided to turn cut Mr. Marler (con-
servative), and put in his place Mr. Marshal IRE
publican)
A portion of the day was occupied with pro-
positions to build charitable institutions, work
houses. penitentiary, &c.
ANOTHER RELIEF ORDINANCE.
The Ordinance of Relief, introduced by Mr.
Rodnan, some weeks ago, was the special order.
Mr. Rodman took the floor, and proceeded to
explain the ordinance, section by section. He
claimed that it was intended not only to relieve
the debtor, but also the creditor and that it con-
tanned no faint Of reputation. He read extracts
from letters from gentlemen thoroughly idcnti-
fed with the Republican party, telling him that
if the Convention did not pass some such measure
before they adjourned, that the Constitution
would be Overwhelmingly defeated.
Mr. Congeton opposed the bill.
Mr. Hodnett said that this whole cry Of relief
came net from the poor working man, but from
the rich man-the large land-holder. They we're
crying out for relief from debts that they owed
to poor men. Is this justice? Is this right?
In the course Of his remarks he characterized
the homestead report, recently submitted to this
Convention, and this measure of relief and others
like it, to be nothing more nor less than repu-
diation. He would protest against it.
Mr. Jones Of Washington, spoke long and
earnestly against the measure.
Mr. Rodman moved the previous question.
Mr. King of Lenoir, wished to speak upon this
subject, but was not allowed to do so by loud
cries Of question, question"
The call for the previous question was sls-
tained and the yeas aud nays were called upon
the passage of this ordinance, and resulted, yeas
40. nays ~.
This vote was afterwards reconsidered, and
the subject postponed
WEDNESDAY, March 4.
Mr. Tuings presented the report from the
Committee on Privileges and Elections in the
case of the contested seat, now occupied by Mr
Williams, of Sampson, Conservative, declaring
that Lorenzo Hall Republican, is entitled to it.
Report Of the Committee on Finance. .-
The Report was read. Mr. Tourgee said he
saw no provision made for paying the cid debt of
the State. He offered, section 4, provision,
to the effect that the Legislature, after 1880,
shall tax real and personal estate, and the sum
realized shall be set apart as Sinking Fund for
the payment of the public debt s
Mr. Abbott offered substitute for section f.
as follows: Until the Bonds of the State shall
be at par, the General Assembly shall have no
power TO contract any new debt or pecunary OBJ
legation in behim OF the State, except to supply
a casual deficit, or for suppressing invasion or
resurrection, unless it shall, in the same bill,
levy special tax to pay the interest annually;
and the General Assembly shall have no power
to give or lend the credit of the State in aid of
any person, association, or corporation except to
such Railroads and other works of Internal I'M
provements, as are unfinished, and in which the
State has direct pecuniary interest, snless the
subject be submitted to a direct vote of the peo-
pie Of the State, and be approved by majority
OF those who shall vote thereon"
Nil Abbott addressed the Convention upon
the various features of the report in speech of
some length. I'D
In the LIST section, Mr. King of Lenoir, moved
hat capitation tax shall be laid between the 1
ages II and 45 instead of u and so. The
amendment was rejected.
Mr. Tourgee objected to the 1st section of the
majority report -eumbrous. He moved to sub
stitute the LIST section of the minority report.
Mr. King, of Lenoir, desired to know how the
poor of county was to be supported, how brid-
ges erected, &C., and other county expenses
betrayed when the poll tax is levied for special
purpose? 1t would be WELL perhaps, to limit poll