Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-07
stead of II A. d., as heretofore. Lies

stead of IL A. d., as heretofore. Lies
over.
Mr.. Logan, II resolution changing the
terms Of the Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions in Rutherford county Referred.
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, an ordi-
nance levying tax of IS per cent. on old
debts.
Mr.. league, resolution instructing the
Committee of three, appointed to confer
with Gen. Candy TO ascertain how far he
would recognize legislation on the part of
this Convention. So referred.
Mr.. Abbott, by consent, report from
the Committee on Privileges and Elections,
to whom was referred the memorial of one
seat Of Mr. Williams, of that county, re-
commencing that Mr.. Hall be declared
elected. Lies over.
Mr.. Rodman submitted a report from
the Committee on Relief. Ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Tool presented majority report
from the Committee on Suffrage.
Mr.. Rich move that the rules be sus-
pended, and his resolution, Offer ed day be-
fore yesterday, calling on Sheriffs to fur
nish statement of the number of execu-
tions in their co1nties, aud the amount of
money to be collected thereon, be taken
up.
The rules were accordingly suspended
and the resolution adopted.
Hoods (negro) resolution, raising a COM
mittee OF five, to report names of persons
entitled to be relieved from political disa-
bilities was, on his motion, taken up and
on it he called the previous question, but
withdrew it to allow Mr. Pool to amend it
as follows Strike out and insert g."
making the committee consist of one mem
Der from each Judicial District.
Hood, (negro,) accepted and renewed
the call OF the previous question.
Mr.. Tourgee wished to amend and
Mr.. Durham wished to amend by making
the resolution embrace all persons that la
bor under political disabilities. Here calls
for the previous question came fast and
thick. Mr.. Durham said he knew that
the gag law would be enforced in this, as
IN great many other instances. He called
upon the reporters to state how all debate
upon this subject had been cut off. He
wished the people to know how the mi
the p,iUiIege Of q free discussion
Mr.. Ellis said that he desired to say, be-
fore the vote was taken on the passage of
the resolution, that those voting for the
resolution were bound to recognize the fact
that the 18th article, known as the Howard
Amendment, was at one time part of the
Constitution. He denied the fact, as there
were bills in both Houses of Congress, now,
in relation to it, which had not yet been
adopted, and it was necessary, on the rati-
fication of said Amendment by the requi-
site number of States, that the Secretary
of State should, by proclamation or other
wise, make the same known to the people
and, as this had not been done, it could
not be yet part of the Constitution for
practical purposes. Therefore, he would
be compelled to vote against it, although
he was in favor of universal amnesty for
all persons, whether they belonged to one
or the other political parties He believed,
however, that according to the provisions
of the Constitution, the Presidents par
dons were good, and he would like to see it
tested in the proper courts of the country.
Here the gag was again enforced by
clamors for the previous question, and be
was prevented from proceeding further.
The call for the previous question being
thus summarily insisted upon, a 0iea roct
vote was taken upon the resolution, which
resulted, yeas SO nays 1G.
The following gentlemen voted in the
negative, viz !: Messrs. Durham, Ellis, Eth
eridge, Graham, of Orange, Grant. of North.
ampton, Hare, Hodnett, Holt, Lennon, Nc.
Cubbins, Merritt, Nicholson, Parker, Read,
Tourgee, and Williams, of Sampson.
Mr.. Tourgee gave as the reason why he
voted in the negative. because he knew OF
great many men who were not in accord
with the Reconstruction Acts, but who
during the war. They should have never
been disfranchised, and the resolution did
not do them justice. Besides he was op-
posed to gag tar in the shape of the ''pre-
vious question"
The hour of twelve having arrived, the
unfinished business of yesterday, on the
Relief measure, was next in order, when
Mr.. Heaton said that this matter was of
too much importance to be hurried through,
and he moved to postpone it's considera-
tiOn .until Saturday next, and that it be
made the special order, and that the report
Of the committee on Governor aud Exc
cutlVe officers " be next considered. Agreed
to.
Mr.. Sweet moved that the House resolve
itself into Committee of the Whole for its
consideration. Agreed to whereupon
Mr.. Jones, of Washington, was called to
the Chair
Section Sd of tie Report was, on motion
of Mr.. Abbott adopted.
After some debate the 4th section was
adopted, with the following modification {:
"Strike out all after the word "that," in
the fourth line. and insert he Will sup
port the Constitution of the United States
and Of the State of North Carolina. and
honestly and faithfully perform the du-
ties of the office to which he has been
elected"
Section 9Th was adopted without debate.
Section 9th was modified as follows, aud
adopted Strike out the words treason
and in the third line and insert the word
in > strike out all after the word pardon
in the seventh line, down to the word 're
prieve,' inclusive"
Sections 7, s and were adopted without
debate.
Mr.. Graham, of Orange, moved to strike
out the whole Of section 10TH giving the
Governor power to nominate and, with the
concurrence IF the Senate, ap POINT cert in
officers.
Mr.. Hodnett concurred with Mr. G., and
said that the section completely overturned
the time-honored and established customs
of North Carolina. He was opposed to
allowing to SO small body such COM
plete sway. The people would not be
epresented-only the Governor and his
party. The whole thing would just amount
to party machine, and he would oppose
such being incorporated into a Constitu-
ton that he had anything to do with.