Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-11-03
TIL. WILMINGTON JOURNAL
WILMINGTON. n. c.,
FRIDAY, OCTOBER "a. 1871.

Comm zt;ce-s nrendments {" the C"nsEt-
tuition. .
Our readers arc informed that q very
important meeting Of the State Executive
Committee Of tie Democratic Conser7a-
tive Party, with a large number Of other
gentlemen, was held ia Raleigh during The
recent State Fair. There was never a
moro harmonious gathering; what differ
ences of opinion existed were discussed II
q friendly manner ana readily ADJ sted.
The great concern was TO propose such &C
tios to the LeEislatare as wonld be for the
benefit of the State.
After much deliberation Com oittee
was appointed, who reported The following
evening several amendments to the Con-
stitution, TO be referred to the cousidera-
ton Of tee Legislature, with tie earnest
recommendation that they be adopted and
submitted to tie people for ratification.
There was very little discussion upon the
several amendments-moeto of them meet
ing with universal approval.
The following is brief synopsis OF The
proposed amendments, which were referred
: to the Central Executive Committee with
request that they be embodied in an adj
dress to the people of tbs State:
It is recommended that the Legislature
should submit to the voters of the State
the followioH amendments 10 the Constitu-
ton
In Article I, Section G. strike out the
first clause, being thai portion relating to
the inviolability Of the Pablo Debt
Article II, Section 2. strike out "annu-
ally" and insert biennially," making
but one session of the Legislature.
Section 5. strike out all that relates to
q Slate census, down to the words leach
Senate District
Add the following as O now section
Sec 80. The pay of the Members of the Legis-
lature ehail rot exceed three dollars per dleTn,
and ten cents miles &c, nor shall they receive pay
for moro than hundred days during their
term OF c1hco.
Article III to be amended by striking
out the words Superintendent of Public
Works " wherever they occur, thus abolish-
ing the Office.
This section is further recommended to
be altered by changing the terms of State
officers TO 'ttwo instead of .foeo' years.
In section 10 of this article strike out
the words "are not otherwise provided
for" and insert Sc shall not be otherwise
provided for by law"
It is recommended to amend Article ".
by striking out the following sections : 2
and IN reference to Code Commission
ers 4, the division Of Judicial powers );
s, five Supreme Court Justices II and IS.
Judicial Districts IA, residence Of Judges
and Special Terms OF Court Is, 16, II
and IS, jurisdiction Of Supreme and Su-
perior Courts 10, Special Courts in cities !;
&c, Election and terms of office of judges !;
27, relating to election of Superior Court
Judges !; %, transaction Of business in Su
perior Court ; 81, vacancies 33, jurisdic-
ton of Justices Of the Peace.
Il is further recommended to amend this
Article by inserting the following new Sec
tons:
Fec. g. The Judicial power Of the State shall
be vested in one supreme Court, and IN such
Superior and Iuferioc Courts as the General As
sembly may, from time to time, ordaln and es-
tabish.
Sec. g. The Supreme Court shall consist of
Sec. 4. The Judges of,both the Supreme and
Superior Courts shall be elected by the qualified
voters Of the State ard shall hold Their offices
for the term OF eight years, and shall at stated
times receive a compensation for their services,
which shall not be diminished during their con-
tlnuance III office.
In Article Y it is recommended to
strike out Section 4, in regard TO the pay
ment of the interest on the Public Debt.
It is proposed to amend Section by
including in the property Of which three
hundred dollars value is exempt from taxa
ton ''stock and provisions.'
In Article VI it is recommended to dis
qualify from ''suffrage" as we'll for ''of1ice"
those persons VINO deny the being of Al
mighty God and those who have been
convicted of treason, perjury. or any other
infamous crime, or Of corruption, Or mai
practice in office.
It is proposed to repeal Article VII en-
tire, except Section 13, which prohibits
the payment of debts contracted directly,
or indirectly, in aid or support CT the re-
bellion.
This amendment abolishes the County
Commissioners and the present system of
county governments
Article X is proposed to be amended so
that the Homestead and Personal Proper
ty Exemption shall apply to all debts
alike, and shall be in fee.
Article XI, section 10, to be amended
SO that the State shall care only for such
deaf n2utes, blind and insane "who are in
digent."
Article XIV to be amended by adding a
new section.
Section 8. No person ehall hold an office under
the State and the Omitted States.
Such are the recommendations of the
Executive Committee, and We invite to
them the closest scrutiny of every good
citizen. Every one recommends itself.
Each is necessary. All are important. We
care not how bitter the partisan, none
can honestly deny that their adoption will
be advantageous to the best interest
OF the State. Hundreds of thousands of
dollars will be saved annually by their