Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-12-18
From the Weldon News
Convention.


Pursuant to call large crowd as
senbled in the Court House at Hall
fax on Monday to discuss the Conven-
ton question.
On motion, B. W. Bass, Esq, was
called to the Chair and FL. E. L. Man
ming requested to act as Secretary. By
request of the Chairman Edward
Conigland, Esq, explained the object
of the meeting to be to get the sense
of the meeting and, through it, the
county, as to whichswould be best. for
the Constitution to be amended by
Legislative enactment or by a Con-
vention called by the Legislature. r.
Ell. Smith, Esq, was asked to give his
views on the subject, which he did at
some length. He favored the calling
Of Convention to act under Legisla-
tive restrictions: He made an inge-
NOUS and forcible argument, citing
precedents to sustain his position.
Capt. W. II. Kitchen, was next ca
led on. He opposed the calling of a
Convention at the present time as
being impolitic. While he admitted
the necessity of a change in the Con-
stitution he thought itrisking too much
to agitate the matter in the present state
of doubt and uncertainty, but he would
60 with the party in everything with
| all his might.
Edward Conigland Esq, being cal
led, spoke in reply to Capt. Kitchin.
He thought there was no cause for
fear and deemed the risk nothing as
| compared with the crying necessity
| for another and better Constitution.
Said there was nothing TO Justify the
conclusion that the people would not
enter into the matter heart and soul
and hoped that Convention would be
called and fel sure of the result.
A. j. Burton, Esq, then arose and
addressed the meeting in opposition
to the calling of Convention. He
was free to concede that a change in
the Constitution was needed and he
would be glad to see it but he doubt
ed the policy of calling Convention
now. He depicted the bad results
which would follow a failure and
hoped the matter would be deferred
until We could be sure of success.
But should one be called he would go
as far as any nan to render it success
full.
j. M. Mullen, ESQ, then spoke in
favor of Convention, endorsing the
views of Messrs. Conigland and
Smith. He thought the fears of the
opponents groundless and saw no
good reason to doubt the Successful
termination of the matter should a
Convention be called.
Edward Conigland, Esq. :, introduced
the following resolutions which were
adopted:
Resolucd. Tin the opinion of this
meeting) That the Constitution of
North Carolina, adopted in 1868, and
generally known as 'the Candy Con-
stitution" is burdensome and oppres-
sive in its operation, and should be
amended il the speediest practicable
mode.
That Convention of the people, is
a speedier, less expensive, more prac-
ticable, and more eifectual mode of
amending the Constitution, than by
Legislative enactment.
That freehold exemption from e1-
ecution of the value of one thousand
dollars in fee, and an exemption OF
five hundred dollars OF personal prop
erty, is the settled policy of the State,
and meets with our UNQUALIFIED APP
proval.
That it IS the purpose. OF the Con-
sentative party to preserve, unimpair-
ed, the rights of our colored fellow
citizens, upon precisely the same po-
litical basis as those of the white citi-
zens of the State.
That whilst We are well satisfied
that it is no part Of the policy of the
Conservative party to interfere with
or modify the homestead law or the
personal property exemption, or in
any way to attempt to sbridge the
rights Of the colored people; yet, in
order to allay all fears upon such mat
ters, we are in favor of a restricted
Convention, whereby they may be ex-
Guided from the consideration of such
body.
That. finally, to call a restricted
Convention of the people for the pur-
pose of amending the Constitution of
the State is, in the opinion of this
meeting, a duty incumbent on the
Legislature now in session.
Moved, by Mr. Conigland, and Or
dered by the meeting that the Secre-
tary be requested to make full re-
port of the meeting, and that the pro-
ceedings be published in the Roanoke
Mas, and all Consel vltive papers in
the State be requested to copy.
On motion the meeting adjourned
sine die. B. w. BASS,
Chairman.
Fl. E. I. MANNING,
Secretary