The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-02-19

NuHCc, NtWsUm. NlCuOtcOu, dnot, ACiCC,
Peterson, Pool, Ray, Rentrow, Rhodes, Rob
bins, Rose, Taylor, Tourgec, Trogden, Tuck
er. Welker, Williamson.
Mr.. Bradley objected to the clause of i'm
prisonment. and the extension of time.
Mr.. Galloway was excused.
On motion of Mr.. Colgroye Nov. 1858, was
inserted instead of Jan. 1869, and on motion
of Mr. Welker. the clause for Imprisonment
was stricken out, when
The ordinance as amended was adopted.5
Mr. Tourgee made report with amend
ments to the ordinance providing tor tax
collector in Newbearn.
Mr. Sweet said the General Assembly of
'86-67 had passed an ordinance recognizing
the government of Newberne. Acts supple
mental had been passed, defining the articles
of taxation. "A question had arisen between
the Sheriff and Corporation, as to who was
authorized to collect the taxes. This ordi-
nance was introduced to cure the defect
1t had been carefully considered by the
Mayor and Commissioners and he now asked
its adoption as introduced originally. He
opposed the amendments,-1st, because it
fixed the commissions of tax-collector at
per cent, when the City might be able to Sc
cure the services of collector at less rates.
He had no objection to an election OF col
lector, except the necessity of his immediate
appointment, for the City had suffered great
ly from delay. He, therefore, renewed his
request for favorable action on the ordinance
itself.
Mr.. Heaton seconded the remarks of Mr..
Sweet, and stated that the other delegate
from Craven, Mr.. Pierson, concurred.
Mr.. Tourgee said the charter of Newberne
already conferred extensive appointing pow
ers on the Mayor and Commissioners of
Newbefne. Therefore the committee had
agreed to recommend an election.
The amendments were lost, and the ordi-
nance adopted.
THE SPECIAL ORDER,
1t being the 9th section of the bill of
rights.
Mr.. Heaton waived his right to the floor,
when
Mr.. Tourgee said that on yesterday, he
and his colleage had been misrepresented.-
He was well aware how convenient the cry
of reputation came to the lips of the oppo-
site party. But what does reputation
mean2 The denial to pay an honest obi
CATION by the party who contracted. Yes
terday, he had expressly and plainly said
that he did not and never would favor repu-
diation. But had as distinctly raised the
question whether the present State of North
Carolina was the old State of that name
Is this the State that contracted the obliga-
ton? Is it fair to the people of the new
State to foist this immense debt upon them,
under the cry of repudiation2 Had his ar
gument that this was new State been an
swereda He was open to conviction, but
only two of the delegates had at all fairly
the question. How could a
State live, whose statal organization has
been destroyed? If he admitted that it
could live, and this was the old State of
North Carolina, mere continuation of it,
he would be forced to admit also the logical
conclusions of the Conservative party. He
had yesterday asked delegate. if Congress
in the exercise of its power, had disfranchis-
ed every white man and enfranchised every
colored man. would the citizens of North
Carolina have been the same as dead North
Caroina2 Certainly not. was the answer.
The sovereignty of the State is now given
back by the general government, to which it
lapsed by rebellion, to new citizens and not
to the same ones. The States are new and
different from the old, that are dead, if
Congress had been given the sovereignty
back, with the condition that the old debts
should be assumed, he would never have
been found in opposition.
As to the moral obligation, it was to be
distinctly remembered that he had expressly
admitted that, but said according to his
view, it extended no farther than the assets
of the State. He was willing to give to
bond holders all she had in rail roads and
swamp lands, aud the people would be
glad to be rid of them, for they constituted
a sinking fund, that sunk the wrong way.
He hadreceived somewhat disingenuous
treatment from his friends, and was sur
prised at 1t. But human nature was weak.
Nevertheless, he would ask delegates are
they aware of what they are doing2 A
large portion of the property is stricken out
of existence. What will the debt be in ten
years, if assumed $2s,250,000. If the State
discharge the yearly interest, and pay half
million of principal, when it is all paid it
will amount to eighty million of dollars
The question is not fifteen, but eighty mil
lion of dollars. And what is it to be as
sumcd for9 The honor of the State. The
old State is dead, and beyond better or
worse for honor. 1t would be paying dear
for the whistle. He honored the great and
true men of the State. but her laws and in
situations had reduced one of the fairest do
mains of the land to desert, almost
Greater in extent by five thousand square
miles than New York, when the war for
independence begun, she was more populous
and wealthy. Now she was far behind. He
could not honor that abstraction, or instltu-
tions of State which reduced her to such
condition. Like Marica Theresa, when
she presented her son to the gamers and
Jarcons of Paris, when this remedy is here
after presented, the cry will be too Late
Impoverished by war and the act of God,
North Carolina is destitute. This Conven-
rion is working on the crest of an extinct
volcano. He would warn delegates of the
danger of their votes.
He desired to be met fairly and squarely.
He could not be driven to a breach of deco
rum by invective. II passed and incorpora-
ted in the Constitution, he would labor as
hard as any one for its adoption by the PEG.
pie. But when gentlemen raise the cry of
reputation, which no one has advocated,
he would protest against it. He was will
ling to see any legitimate means used for
the adoption of the section.
Mr.. Hayes of Halifax-is it better to as
sure SIS, 100000 and save the honor of the
State, or repudiate and lose ita
Mr.. Tourgee-I advocate no reputation.
Mr.. Hayes of Halifax--you say we are form
ing new State and must refuse to pay the
obligation of the old one
Mr.. Tourgee-they are no more our debts
than the obligations of friend OF yours
,uonld be 70 Won