Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-06


MIR. Heaton said that, under the recon
structlon acts and the Howard amendment
all would be permitted to vote. tbouoh
some might be prevented from holding
offlce 1t would be, therefore, if this sub.
stitute was adopted, direct opposition to
the policy of Congress. 1t might be his
leelng that the Congress should have re-
strlcted suffrage, but it was not that he
loved Cesar less but Rome more which
lmpelIed HIM to oppose the amendment.
Here lengthy colloquy took place be-
tween several of the Radicals as to the ma
ture of the Howard amendment. DC. with
which 1t would be proftless to cumber our
columns
MIR. Pool said that as this debate would
seemingly never end, he called the previous
question.
Various objections and points of order
were raised, but the rules were read and
the call was sustained.
The question REQUIRED upon Mr..
trench's substitute. The yeas and nays
were called and resulted as follows: Yeas
%, nays II.
Mr.. Jones, of Washington, desired to
offer his amendment, but Mr.. Pool conten-
ded that the previous question cut off all
debate upon this section
Three or four delegates, entertaining
different opinions, were on the floor at the
same time. The Chair begged that gen
tlemen would not all speak at once. The
Chair was inclined to rule adversely and
endeavored to explain to Mr. Jones why
and wherefore. Mr.. Jones couldn't see the
force Of such reasoning. Mr.. Chairman
was sorry that the gentleman could not
understand his explanation. Mr.. Jones
said he would like to u12de1'stq72d linn, but
that WAS impossible. After some further
debate the Chairman appealed to the Sec
rotary TO know whether the amendment
had been on the table before the pre-
vi0us question was put. On being told
that it was,
Mr.. jones amendment was at last put to
a vote and lost.
The section, as amended, was carried
At section 2 Mr.. Jones, of Washington,
moved to strike it out and insert g 1t
shall be the duty OF the General Assembly
to provide, from time to time, for The regis
tratlOn of ali electors. but no person shall
be allowed to register, vote or hold cttire
without having first taken and subscribed
an oath OF loyalty to the Constitution, III
opposition to secession, and In favor of the
civil and political equality OF all men, &c.
See Jones remarks of Saturday.
Mr.. TOurgee wished to amend by substi-
tutIng the oath OF the minority report of
Messrs. Gambler and Congleton.
Mr.. Pool moved to lay both amendments
on the table
The yeas and nays were called and re-
suted--yeas A, nays 80.
Those who voted In the affirmative were:
Messrs. Abbott, Ashley, Baker, Bonbow, Brad
ley, che1Eyi Fy (egrol Colgloye, Daniel, Dowd
ham, OF Orange, Heaton, Hodnett, Holloweu,
Ing, Jones, of Caldwell. King, of Lenoir. Legg,
Lennon, Long, MarIer, McCubbins, Merritt, Nc
Donald, OF Chatham, Mcdonald, of Moore, Null
lcan, Nance, Nicholson, Parker, Peterson, Pool,
Rich, Rodman, Sanderlin, Silly, Sweet, Taylor,
Watts, Williams of fSampson, Williams, of Wake.
Those who voted in the negative were:
Messrs. Andrews AydIott, Blume, Bryan, Car
ter, Gambler, Chiiieop, Cox, Dickey, Duckworth,
French, OF Chowan, Fullings, Galloway (negro),
Garland, Glover, Graham, of Montgomery Gully,
Gunter, Harris, of Wake, (negro). Harris, of
Franklin Hay, Hayes, OF Ro6eson, Highsmith,
(negrol, Jones, of Washington, Kinney, Lee, (ne-
gro), Mann, May, Moore, Morton, Murphy
Parks, Petree, Pierson, (negro), Ragland, Ray,
Renfrow, Rhodes. Robbins, lnegrol, Rose, Smith,
Stil~ell league, Tourgee, Tucker, Turner, Wei
ker.
The question recurred upon Mr.. Tour
gees amendment. The yeas and nays were
called and the vote stood yeas 49, nays 63.
Mr.. Abbott moved to amend by insert
ing section three of the minority report in
place of section two, of the ma jority report,
with the following oath /:
81 do solemnly swear (or affiTn) that am truly
and devOtedly attached to the Union Of all the
States and opposed to any dissolution of the same:
tnas entertain no political sympathy with the IN
s0Igators and leaders of the rebellion with the
enemies OF the Union, nor appreciation of their
principles or purposes !; that [ will neither by
4
sedition disaffectiOn towards the government
Of the United States laws thereof and that
will sustain and defend the Union of these States,
and will discourage and resist all efforts to de-
stroy or pair the same"
Mr.. Jones, of Washington, objected to
it on the gound that it did not protect
loyalty. His oath would not di>qdalify any
loyal man.
Mr.. Tourgee objected to it on the ground
that it was too lenient
Pending further discussion, the House.
on motion of Mr.. Renfrow, adjourned until
y o'clock this evening,
NIGHT SESSION.
MONDAY, Feb. "a, 1868
The Convention was called to order at
= o'clock.
The Suffrage question was resumed.
Mr.. Abbott withdrew his amendment, i'll
order, he said, to arrive at direct vote on
the substitute of Mr.. Jones, Of Washing
ton.
Mr.. Durham demanded the yeas and
nays, and the call was sustained.
Mr.. Heaton said, before q final vote was
taken, he would call for q division. lie
said that there was a great difference OF
opinion among US; he thought the substl-
bute ill-advised; in a few months 1t would
be considered an odious test oath He
thought tho incorporation of this measure
in the Constitution would jeopardlzo the
ratification of it, He appealed to the col
pred men on the floor to JOIN III voting
down this measure. He could assure them
heir rights would be amply protected by
The provisions Of the Howard amendment,
which would be Incorporated IL the Con-
,titution OF the United States and the State
Constitution.
Mr.. Rich warned the gentlemen on this
floor, that the passage Of such all Infamous
est oath would dig the grave OF Republl-
,anism in this State.
MI Jones, of Washington, advocated.
# some length. his amendment. H. |