The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-03
THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONVENTION.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.


Loan Of Thirty Millions Asked from Com
Gress-The Per Diem, or How to Raise the
Wind-Another Georgia Muddle-The Tren.
surer Asked to Defray Expenses-Spicy
Debate Between Radicals and Conserva-
lives. :. $50
Mr.. President Cowles called the Convention to
order this morning at eleven A. NJ, and after
prayer and the reading Of the journal of yesterday
the body proceeded to business. A large number
Of ordinances and resolutions were introduced
and appropriately referred. The resolution of Mr..
Mcdonald, Of Chatham, asking for loan of money
from Congress for the improvement and develop
ment of the internal resources of the State, was
taken up for discussion.
Mr.. Mcdonald advocated his resolution in
short speech, arguing that the building Of certain
railroads and development of the resources OF the
State would greatly assist the people by giving
work to hundreds now out of employment, and
when restored the State would be prosperous and
happy; otherwise North Carolina would be poor
indeed.
Mr.. Singleton asked information as to the object
of the loan.
Mr.. Abbott explained that it was similar to
others now asked for in the South. The thirty
millions was not intended for relief Of railroads
alone, but for the development of all the resources
of the State generally, by which all the people
Mr.. Mcdonald wished to strike while the iron
was hot, and petition Congress at once, get the
money and build up their internal improvements.
The resolution was acc Ordingly referred.
Under a suspension Of the rules the ordinance
of Mr.. Heaton, in relation to the per diem, was
then taken up, which reads az follows
Be It. ordained That the Treasurer Of the State Of
North Carolina upon the Of the President Of
the Convention, Is authorized and empowered 70 pay
the per diem and mileage OF officers and members OF
the Convention.
n. A.
surer had no authority to pay moneys except upon
the warrant of the Governor, and asked that the
ordinance be amended in accordance with existing
laws.
Mr.. Graham conservative read from the Recon
strnction act the following sectien:-
That the Convention for each State shall prescribe the
fees salary and compensation to DO paid TO oil delegates
and other officers and agents herein authorized neces
sary carry into effect the purposes Of this act not
herein otherwise provided for and shall provide for
levy and collection Of such taxes the property in each
State may be necessary TO pay the same.
He eontended that the body had no right to call
upon the Treasurer to defray its expenses but
could levy tax for that purpose. This method
had been anticipated when members voted them
selves such large per diem. He believed the acts
to be unconstitutional, but still he would adhere to
them while in the Convention, and could not there
fore vote for the ordinance.
Mr.. King, of Lenoir (radicaI, thought il the body
had power to levy taxes it certainly had to defray
its expenses from taxes already collected and paid
into the treasury. II the acts were uHconstitu-
tional then it was unconstitutional to levy taxes.
Mr.. Heston thought that as the Treasurer had
paid the expenses Of Legislatures and conventions
heretofore, upon the warrants of Speakers and
Presidents, he could do so now He thought il
best to call upon the Treasurer, any how. The
position taken against the ordinance contested the
| legality Of the Convention; but the Treasurer
would regsrd the body as constitutional one.
DIR. Durham, of Cleveland (conservative), said
the Treasurer was bonded officer and if he paid
out money illegally his sureties would become
sponsble for it. This body had no authority to
| call upon him for money; II so Congress- would
| have said so. Congress prescribed the method Of
about 80 call upon the Treasurer and ask him to
| violate his bond. He would vote against this
4 measure, as he would against oil that were
| brought up, believing all to be unconstitutional.
| Mr. Tourgee, taking the Reconstruction acts as
| his guide, thought the Convention had no powers
| outside these acts. There were two methods left
open--one to levy tax and the other TO apply to
| General Candy for an order upon the Treasurer
| t0'pay the expenses Of the Convention.
| Mr. Hord (negr0) wanted to know II the tax
| would not go into the treasury. and how were
| they to get it out
| the mode employed in collecting IL. The Urea
surcr could be made an officer 70 collect that tax
| Mr.. Abbott the author OF the resolution cxpsl.
ling members Of the press, was IN favor OF passing
the ordinance, and il the Treasurer refused, then
Mr.. Heaton Was sstounded at the assertions
! made by Mr. Durham that the acts were uncon
stitutional. Il So why did he not retire from the
Convention,
| Mr.. Durham replied that no doubt the other side
would be glad to see him aud other conservatives
| retire; but he had sworn as member OF that
Convention TO support and defend the consultation
| of the United States and he would, therefore, re-
| main and do his duty by voting against the Recon
struction acts.
| Mr.. Jones said the Governor had recognized this
| body by sending them message, and advocated
an application TO him, asking that he file his war.
f! rant with the state Treasurer TO de'rsy the cx.
| penses OF the Convention. This would obviatc
! the difficulty.
| Mr.. Mcdonald had no fears that the Treasurer
would not pay, and after some further discussion
the ordinance was adopted as foliows;-feas t0j
naysl2.
Upon motion the Convention adjourned.
The GEORGIA STATE CONVENTION.
.~4@>.~.-~-y~1~~y>---,-~~~~~