The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-08-05

respect to the House he offered no reply at the
time the remark was made; but felt that 1t was
due to himself to refer to the matter again this
morning. Even if the insinuated statements as
quoted were true, it was not according to par
lamentary usage or custom for one to refer to
them while in his seat on the floor. There is
nothing in the records of the House that will
show parallel scene with that enacted here on
yesterday. Ifthe quoted remarks were intended
to apply to him, they were an insult to the people
of his county. Those people, before they elected
him, were well acquainted with his antecedents,
certainly much better than the gentleman from
Baden As to the truth of either OF the implied
allegations, he would say first, that he was Il
years old and he never saw inside of a Jail or
prison in his life. The only time he was ever
restrained OF his liberty was in the year 1863
He then gave expression to some OF the prlncl-
pies which at present prevailes in the State, and
under whose survey this General Assembly now
holds session; and for which he was reported to
the Confederate authorities in Richmond, and
was consequently seized and conveyed to Will
mingtOn under arrest. While in that city, the
gallant Gen, Whiting allowed him the liberty of
the place on his rarol of honor. And, secondly,
he never made bill of goods in the city OF New
York, or preached sermon within one hundred
miles of that city. But the fac, that an individual
could on Friday buy store of goods, lie in the
tombs on Saturday, and preach on Sunday, evil
IDENTIFY brtoliened Il man of some excellence of
character, and must have commended himself to
the confidence of those hearing him preach
Mr.. Sinclair thanked Mr.. Gambler for with
drawing the Objectionable remark uttered in
gard to a certain resolution, and hoped the ne
cessity would not again arise for the gavel of
the Speaker to call any gentleman to order for
offensive personalities.
Mr.. Foster said il the House would allow him
three hours, he would make good his assertions
when
Mr. Downing appealed to Mr. Foster to let the
matter lie just where it stood.
Mr. Sinclair mpvp6 that thn HpuSp ,riyn Mr.
Foster the three hours asked for. He insisted
that it was due to the House and to all concern,
ed that the three hours should be placed at the
disposal of Mr.. Foster
Mr. Foster said that inasmuch as the time
spoken for would occupy that which should be
spent in the service of the State, he would heed
the appeal made by the gentleman from Union,
and let the matter drop.
Mr. Hinnant, from the committee on Enrolled
Bills, reported correctly enrolled, the resolu-
ton authorizing the Board Of Education to re-
port Il plan of laws for the government, &C., of
the free public schools.
By Mr.. Gilbert, resolution in regard to home
stcadS and exemptions. Laid over.
BY the same, Il resolution instructing the COM
mittce on penal Institutions to report what legis-
aion is necessary to carry into effect the proys-
ions CT section Z, article XI, of the Constitution
in regard to the poor the unfortunate and orphan.
Laid over.
BY Mr.. McCanless, a resolution on suffrage and
eligibility to office. Laid over
By Mr.. Stlley, Il bill prepared by the Code
Commissioners, entitled "an act to empower
county commissioners to draw jurors for the SUI
perior courts" with certain amendments pro-
posed by the Code Commissioners.
Mr.. Bowman moved to suspend the rules for
the purpose of putting the bill on its passage.
The bill was read by sections.
Mr.. Davis moved to amend the first section by
inserting after "tax" in line & the words "on real
estate"
Mr.. Sinclair said the amendment would place
the qualifications OF jurors beyond the reach of
many OF the people of the State, which wculd
not be in accordance with the spirit and letter
9Th Of the Constitution Many good citizens of the
bound by their most solemn oatNs to guard well
the provisions of the Constitution on this sub
ject.
Mr.. Davis said the effect of the amendment
would he to encourage such citizens to acquire
real estate
Mr. Stevens moved to amend by striking out
the words shave paid tax for the preceding year
and" so as to read ''to select the names OF such
persons only as are ofgood moral character"
Mr. Justice, of Rutherford, said the amend
ment of Mr.. Davis proceeded from the princi-
pies of the old English aristocracy. That aris-
tocracy was passing away. He despised its prin-
ciplcs, and hoped they W uld not be allowed to
permcate our laws any more. Merit should be
the stepstOne to position. and not dirt and rocSs.
Mr.. Leary read section % of Bill of Rights: 'as
political rights and privileges are not dependent
upon, or modified by property, therefore no prog
ertv qualification ought to affect the right to
vote and hold Office" Mr.. L. said us the members
held their seats without property qualification,
it would be wrong to require such qualification
in juror. He, however, was willing that man
should be required to pay his poll tax previous
to his becoming Juror
Messrs. Vest and Pou favored the section as re-
ported by the commissioners.
ola aipc In ,tS of, Inv
Messrs. Davis and Stevens were the anripodes of
each otter, and Were both to he avoided. He
was not in favor OF any man vntilg vino did not
pay his taxes. if such were to be the case, Il
few mea in the State would haveto bear the bur-
dens. The duty OF suffrage should be subsequent
to that of tax paying.
Mr.. Ferebee id the section required that a
| juror should b. of "a good moral character" p"
which was gilmore value than few acres of land.
| lie was opposed to all amendments, and desired
| the section to remain us it was
| Mr.. Stevens then withdrew his amendment
Mr.. Argo said that sitting on {; jury was not a
| political privilege, but duty imposed by the
| State. Men were sometimes detained for whole
weeks as jurors, and rccevedtherefor the ''prom.
scs to pay" by their countless which were of little
| or no value, and which were often sold at a heavy
| discount to spectators. Many citizens were not
able to afford their time for such inadequate re-
| muneraton The section read from the bill OF
rights referred to public Offices and not to jurors
There ought to be a property and intellectual
qualification Tor jurors; and the possession O
property often implied the owners to be men O
character and moral worth. One of the Judge.
(who was strong Repubiican) had expressed tt
| him the opinion that men should not be indis
criminately admitted to the jury box.
Mr.. Bowman moved to substitute for thu
amendments the following proviso to be added a
the end of the section: "PrOyided that all suit
| where the title for real estate shalt be called il
question, a freehold of fifty acres of land shall b.
necessary as qualification for juror"
Mr.. Bowman addressed the House in favor o
the substitute. When men were called to sit il
| Judgment as jurors upon cases where real es
tate was involved, he was in favor of rcquirin!
of such property qualification. This rule hai
long been established in England and America
as safeguard to property. 1t WAS impossbl
tor persons having no real estate to act with TIN
impartiaty of those in possession OF that spe
cicS OF property.
Messrs. Vest and Morris made remarks in op
position to the substitute.
Mr.. Sinclair said the substitute deprived m
one OF his constitutional rights. 1t was wei
settled principle Of Anglo-SaXon law, that g
man should be tried by his peers" He though
that when the interests of real estate were con
cerned, the juror should be in possession of
freehold.
Mr.. Ingram asked if land was more sacre
than any other speci of property?
Mr.. Sinclair replied that he thought it was
He did not, however, favor the policy OF puttin
| every man, without regard TO intellectual capac
ity, upan iuries but the amendment allowed tn
best qualified citizens to be selected, and there
by subserve the interests of landed property.
Mr.. Harris of Wake, moved to amend tn sub
stitute by inserting Tor its equivalent in value,
which was accepted.
Mr.. Harris, OF Wake, favored the substitute a
amended Tor the reason that competent me
should sit on juries; and such men generally man
ilested their competency by acquiring land o
other property.
Mr. Dixon thought the section as it stood ha
been well considered by the code commissioners
and he should vote against all amendments.
Mr. HAMS asked Ii men without nr0nertY Wer