Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-07-21

pected. Let the proposition to call q
Convention be voted down, aud let the
Legislature, in obedience to what it may
consider its constitutional obligations. put
into the bands Of the Sherifs of the State
q tax list that calls for Eve per cent. OF all
the property of the Stnte. to be collected
and paid into the public TIRE asury in 1872,
aud then tell me how many men will be
able to save their homesteads. The Octo"
Der winds Of 1872 will not more certainty
strsw the earth with the falling ieaves OF
autumn than will the homesteads OF our
people topple and fall beneath tbs Shtrlh's
hammer.
The time was when the Supreme CouEt,
after having made humane decision in
the homestead case, could have made
second decision that would have secured
the homestead against all possible danger
from any and every quarter. Bu5 in that
crisis, in that hour OF peril TO The pc OP!e,
the judges hesitated. doubted. and finally
failed. They fret decided tina! the Lesis-
ture was limited ia it's power of taxation
by the Constitution. In this decision L
reioiced, for in it saw my own views en-
dorsed a nd the property of the State pro
tected. Had they stood by 1t all would be
well with as to-day. Bot alas, before
that decision was published it WAS by the
Judges Themselves reversed, and the Legls-
l4ture turned loose upon the people,
people.
Sd. The third and Last objection to he
answered is Of the expense. This Is by
far tire strongest position taken by those
who oppose a Convection, for there Is
some truth in it. A Convention will cost
something. Bot let us see what 1t will
probably cost. / will make my estimate
| very large so as to be on The safe side, and
| it is as follows:
12I delegates at So per day ...............$ Cos
clerks st IS per day ................. ~
messengers at s. 60 g per day HIM. 8
Contingent expenses, such as printing,
| stationery, servant hire, &c, &c, Fer
.....-'........-..... Ito
Total exueDse, GER day. ...s 75o
Now suppose the Convention sits thirty
daye. and it will not sit longer. and
| cconiingenc;ee ... q, 500
| Add TO this for mi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1850
And We have the entire cost OF the CON
| think my estimates are all sufficiently
| large. I shall therefore take $50 600 to be
| the prCba able cost of the Convention. Now,
there are about 100000 voters 10 North
Carolina. Divide the cost of the Con
vention up among them ell and it will he
just .fftee" cents apiece. Who would not
| give fifteen cents to get clear Of the town
ships alone? But suppose the expense
| of the Convention is all taxed upon the
property, rs will be the case, then let us
see what il will be on the hundred dollars
worth of property. The taxable property
of the State IL, as before given.
$I23 o9 35o 600 TO 5 raise noo by t%Aa',on
of two and half cents On the bundled
dollars worth of property. So if q Con
vention Is called, the properly OF tho State
must be taxed two and half cents on the
hundred dollars, or twenty live cents on
the thousand dollars worth Of property to
pay for it. What man owning q tbousa and
dollars " orth Of property would not give
twenty five cents to avoid the payment Of
the interest on the public debt? What
man, owning enc hundred dollars worth
of property, woaId not give two and half
cents TO have the good things Of our old
Constitution restored to u4 and the La /
things Of the present one takec away.