Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-28

to give his authorities The first importa-
ton had been made into Virginia, when
the Mayf1Ower WAS making her way across
the ocean.
Harris, negro would move to adjourn,
with the understanding that he should have
the floor tonight.
This was agreed to, and Harris, (negro,)
made the motion, but Harris, NEGRO, with
drew it, in order to allow Mr. Latin to offer
a report from the Committee on Redistrict-
ing the Congressional Districts.
On motion, it was made the special order
for tomorrow at 10! o'clock.
Harris, (negro,) renewed his motion to
adjourn, which was carried.
NIGHT SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10, 1868.
The Convention was called to order ac-
cording to adjournment, at II o'clock.
Tho roll was called to ascertain whether
there was quorum present or not.
The Chair announced a quorum.
Mr.. Abbott moved that the report of the
committee on immigration be taken from
the table and made the special order for
Monday next, at 10I o'clock Carried.
Mr.. Ellis said that he had heard that the
delegate from New Hanover Galloway,
negro) had said that there had been women
in his (Catawba) county, during the war
hung up by their thumbs to make them
tell where their husbands were. He wished
to say that no such thing had been done.
Tho suffrage question was resumed
Harris, of Wake (negro), had the floor,
and spoke his old speech-consuming the
time of the Convention for over on hour
Galloway (negro), gave notice that to-
for the whole matter, and would call the
previous question.
Hayes, of Halifax (negro), said che did
not think that the majority committee had
no right to moot the question of removing
the disabilities that Congress had imposed.
They had been told here last night they
might look out when the blue coats are
gone" He regarded that as sort of a de-
claration of war and he did not think men
who did not love the government had no
business with the ballot-they were not fit
for it."
Mr.. French, of Bladen, said that there
was no use to discuss universal suffrage
That was q foregone conclusion. But in re-
gard to the di9raachiSene1et of men, would
it be safe, would it be policy, to entrust the
ballot in the hands of men who had ground
down the people of the State, under the
iron heel of despotism? He was opposed
to it. There were men who should be en-
franchised-such men as W. ". Holden,
Dockery, Pool, Sinclair, and others, too
tedious to mention" AS for Mr.. Grahams
threats last night; he would hurl back such
threats IN their teeth, and, though they did
not wish to come to blows, they were ready
and may God have mercy upon their
souls! They would not get off SO easy as
they had done in the late war. He closed
by giving notice that he intended to offer
a substitute for the majority report to-
morrow.
Galloway (negro), gave notice that he
would introduce resolution resembling
the general amnesty passed by the Legisla-
ture, but withdrew it on being told that q
resolution to that effect was on the calen-
dar.
The Chair announced the following per-
sons as q committee on final ADJOURNMENT
viz: Messrs. Forkner, Blume and Tay-
lor.
On motion of Mr. Jones, of Washington,
the Convention adjourned until tomorrow
10 o'clock.
MORNING SESSION.
THURSDAY, Feb. 20. 1868.
The President being absent, Mr. King,
Of LenOir, was, on motion Of Mr.. EeatOn,
called to the chair.
Prayer by the Rev. J. W. Hood negro
A1LcL pray L16 L ISSlNltGG dppStItu anu
took his seat.
Mr. Mcdonald, of Chatham, submitted
report from the select committee to whom
was referred the resolution in favor of Mr.
B. Guthrie, Sheriff of Orange, accompa-
MED by an ordinance allowing the said
Sheriff 81 200, and a letter, from the Pub
lie Treasurer in regard to the matter.
Pending action upon the reported ordi-
nance, Mr.. Latin said the hour had arrived
to consider the special order, viz The re-
port of the committee on reconstructing
the Congressional Districts.
MIR. Nicholson was allowed to introduce
an ordinance respecting Homesteads, which
was ordered to be printed.
The special order was then taken up.
The report was read.
Mr.. Latin said that the delegates would
notice that there was only one change, viz:
taking New Hanover from the 2d and trans
ferring it to the Sd District The reason
for such change was. that New Hanover
was the geographical outlet of the Cape
Fear. and not until 1865 was it part OF the
2d District.
Mr.. Mann opposed the change for vari-
Gus reasons, and stated that the party was
so well organized that there would be no
difficulty in carrying tine next election.
Hood (negro) said that it seemed to be
the impression that they could not carry
the election in their District without the
aid of New Hanover, but that was not SO
they had a sufficient majority to take care
of themselves.
Mr. Abbott said that the Sd District was
the proper one for New Hanover, and went
on to give various reasons for it. He said
that the objections of Messrs. Mann and
Hood were purely personal; not a single
decent and good reason had been present
ed by them in opposition to the proposed
change. Mr.. A. said that he had private
ly assured the delegates, time and again,
that 10 one in New Hanover intended TO
apply for the ballot in the Sd District; he
would repeat the assurance now in public,
and thought this was 10 place to drag up
such subjects, yet the hints thrown out
made it necessary to do So. lie had no
personal motives in advocating the change.
Mr.. Mann diaclained any personal mo.
tives in opposing the change.
Mr.. Turner, of llarnctt, objected to the
change. He moved to lay the whole mat
ter on the table.
Mr.. Sweet said that, in order that the
Convention could vote understandingIy
upon this question, il would be proper to
ascertain whether it was not actually neces-
sary to take some steps in regard to this
matter, AS the present system was the work