Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-02-14

listed in this work, that 1t might go
out to the people that the common
good was the end aimed at He desired
to assure the people that no attempt to
encroach upon the liberties of any man
would receive respectful consideration
in that body. Mr.. C. proceeded to
point out the defects in the constltu-
tion-it was expensive too cumbrous,
entailed q system of county government
our wants did not require and such as
The impoverished condition OF the peo-
pie could not afford. The form of our
organic law should be so simple and
plain that he who ran might read the
present form of that lawzwas as COM
ple1 as Coke upon Littistpn, and had
defied the efforts of the ablest minds
to discover it's meaning. Mr.. G. pro-.
cseded to point out the defects of the
constitution proposed to be remedled,
and closed by urging the passage OF
/ the bill.
7 Mr.. Respass said that it was agreed
that several of the proposed amend
ments should be made and that others
were not needed. He was satisfied as
to the legality of submitting the amend
ments separately, and concurred III the
view that the wishes of the people
should be respected. He complained,
however, that the friends of the bill
| should have taken the ground last
| summer, that it was necessary to pass
| the measure as whole. Mr.. X. SAID
he was pledged to the people OF his
district, to support some of the amend
! ments, and he was here to redeem that
pledge. The scheming OF the CoiIser-
vative party perhaps, ought to induce
| 80 ,rk &In dina @
and follow the course of his party; lut
he regarded the interests of the people
as above party. He was mot so welded
to party as to prevent him from dong
his duty to the people. Mr.. Respass
and said he was in favor of those for
of Public Works, that providing for
! biennial sessions of the Legislature,
the taking of a census of the State,
&c. Mr.. Grandy said Mr. r. objected
20 the amendment of the clause provi-
ding for the payment of the interest on
the public debt as in violation of an all
sacred pledge, but he was silent upon
the fact that members sat mute in
their seats and ignored the oath taken
to levy the necessary tax. 1900.
Mr. Todd said he had favored the
pestponement of this matter on the in
fimation of the opposition that they
were not prepared to vote on it, and in
order to make the question agreeable
to all. He was in favor of all the
amendments, and said all the people
in his section of the State were in
favor of them. He explained his posi-
ton on the mode of altering the con-
stitution. The mode of amendment
he regarded now out of the question.
The remedy was required and it was
admitted by both Democrats and Re
rublicans that the people should have
a voice in the amendments The peo-
pie surely had a right to have voice
in the matter. In allusion to the boast
ed Republican majority in the State,
Mr.. Todd could not understand why
Republican members should be afraid
to submit this question.
Mr.. Grandy said that they were will
ling if it could be done lawfully.
Mr.. Todd tnen asked if the Repub-
hcaas would vote for the bill in a
"legal" foraa as q whole and then leave
the question to the people. The people
had trusted those members, and the
members should have some faith In
the people.
. Mr. Worth was reioiced, from Mr.
ResDass' speech, that even one mem
be. Of the Republic party would sup
port the proposed amendments. He
. alluded to the course Qf the Radicals
and their press in the late elections in
opposing this bill because it was sub
II tied in separate propositions. He
spoke Of the action of the committee
IL regard to this matter. No dissent
ing voice had been heard. The action
o. the committee had been postponed
fgt soIHe cause or other. In the meau-
p tlue a E4dzc<l caucus had been called
: .ld the party !i.sti applied, aud the
next thing heard they were al opposed
t. the 1ns47'1re, except such as cou.l
1ot be whipped III. Dir. Grandy has
TED ut the behest OF the organ. Harris
vas f0r some OF the amendments, but
could not stand the election the Con
st.trtion required, This was mere pre-
.,nec. The fact WAS tie, whole party,
except the few uHterri.1ed, woald vote
! ugaillst the measure. They con!d no
afford TO lose their party thunder.
Harris, col, saiI be had never at
tendeda caucus ga this matter, and
wa IL the 1ali: of voting as lie thought
| I to be to the best interests Of the POO
pie.
Tie bill i2assed-ayes 81, noes s.
Those = 10 voted IN the affirmative
were: #t..H #tt t...
Messrs Allen, Asera, Bernhardt
Cowles, Cramer, Cunningham, Dafls
Durham, Ellis, of Catawba, Ellis, o1
Columbus, Flemming, Gudger, Harris
Horton, Humphrey, Long, Love. Nc
Cauley, Merrimon, Miller, Morehead
of Guilford, Morehead, of Rockingham
Murphy. Murray, Nicholson, Norwood
Powell, Respass, Stafford, Todd, Troy
Walker, Welch and Worth-34
Those who voted III the negative
were
Messra. Eppes, Grandy, Hill, Hoilo-
man, Hyman, MADISON and Smith,
The SECOND bill of the constitutions
series was then taken up, viz the bill
to abolish the Office of Superintendent
of Public Works, and it passed-33 to 8
The third bill, abolishing the code
commission, also passed-33 to 6.
The fourth bill, making the exemr.
ton from taxation of $500 worth OF
property general, passed-33 to s.
The fifth bill, il regard to the Uni
versi Y, led to some discussion, and
failed to pass by the requisite Majority.
Mr.. Morehead, of Guilford, changed
his vote from the affirmative to the
negative to move q reconsideration,
and on his motion the further consid.
Grafton Of the question was postponed
till tomorrow at 1885.
The next bill, the school provision,
received in the affirmative 80 to S-not
agreed to by want of the necessary
majority.
Mr.. Troy changed his vote to move
reconsideration, and the question
was postponed till II 30 tomorrow
On motion of Mr.. Morehad, of Gull
ford, the constitutional amendment
bill was made the special order for
IL 30 O'Clock tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
TUESDAY, Feb. 6, 1872.
RESOLUTIONS AND BILLS.
Mr.. Bennett, bill to extend the
| limits of WadesbOrO'