The Hillsborough recorder., 1876-05-31
Hf Dts ~ 9ltt -
THE AMENDMENTS.

WHICH are changed more or less by the
proposed amendmepts. II b our purpose
from tineto time 70 discuss honesty and
carefully all 0f these changes 80 as 70 give
,tlle people as mueh light as we -can upon
u aauestion of such vital sip,portance 70
them and to their prosperity. 1t will be
seen that the constant effort Of the Demo-
cn,lie members Of The Convention III the
anlendmentss pioposed was totake uii-
necessary p,wer from itliei hands Of The
oiiicchelders and toresiere itto,the people
and to reduce the expenditures Of tie
government. What they sought tnbring
about was the rule OF the people and an
economical expenditure Of the people and
an economical expenditure Of the peoples
money. Let US see how well they sue
ceeded in their purpose.
THE first articleof the Constitution Is
called declaration OF rights. Among
tlieserlgllts, the right to bsr arms u con-
spicuous. The convention, without deny-
ing this right, yet deeinedit wise % ocon-
denim the practice Of Carrying concealed
weapons and to clolhe the Legislature
with power to pass laws purishing the
practice. Whether the Legislature will
ever exercise that power will depend upon
the people for whatever power il given TO
the Legislature is given TO the people.
Both political parties concurred in propos-
ing the amendment.
The only other change made IN thisar.s
ticle was also made without u dissenting
voice 70 far as the record shows. and dee
clares that secret political societies are
dangerous to Tie. liberties Of a free,people
and should not be tolerated. The history
of Radical Union Leagues la North Caro-
lima during The last eight or ten years
ought alone 10 be sufficient TO convince
white men, at least, Of the necessity for
this amendment. There can be 10 possible
objections to the changes made 10 the
first article.
The second aeticle Of the Constitution
relates directly 10 The Legislators and Is
affected by only two Of the amendments,
as the others relating To IL serve only "
strikeout dead matter about elections al.
ready past aud gune-tha. is 10 say ihuse
ll.at occurred in 1870. The first change j.
that which requires the Legislature to
meet ON the first Wednesday after the
first Monday IN January next after the
election instead Of the third Monday Ia
November Us heretofore. The reasons for
the change are obvious 70 any one familiar
With the course Of Legislative bodies
whose sessions cover the Christmas hoii-
days aud New Year following. Both
business and pleasure makes almost
every man desires Ia be al home from
Christmas to New Year. so generally
Is this true that With the increased facili-
ties for travel offered by the many rail-
roads In operation tie public service has
suffered. Ifthe amendments be ratified
the members Of the Legislature Will be
able u remain al hume during the busy
time before and after New Year and Then
with minds free from care about private
matters can 20 To Raleigh and attend e
public affairs. The amendments plainly
tends to the prompt aud intelligent and
economical dispatch ofrublic business
The other change In the second article
relates 10 the per diem and mileage oi
members Of the Legislature Il fixes the
pay of members At four dollars day AID
ten cents per mile Of travel by the nearest
route, but members caonot draw pay FOR
longer than sixty days fora regular ses'
sion and twenty days fora special session
The ordinance proposing the amend
ments was adopted by \ vote ofsS yeas
70 u NAYS. No Democrat voted against
Il aud ~ Radicals favored it-preclsely Is
many as opposed II. Il VIII be well %
consider FOR moment how much money
this single amendment will save the State.
The Legislature Of ls6s-'0e cost In pei
ldIem $l70,l2O.
Special session Of lsOs-'7o cost In pei
ileni SB5.O0O.
The Legislature Q. isos.7o cost in pei
diem Sl59, 400.
The legislature Of ls7O>'7i cost 10 pei
diem S95.7 .75O'
The Legislature Of ls7lJ12 cost 10 pei
diem S63,750.
The Legislature Of Is72-'7s cost in pei
Idlcm S6s,00O.
The Legislature Of ls7s.7l cost In pei
ldiem SGi,s00.
/ II the amendments be ratified no regu'
liar session of tile Legislature ciln hercalteI
Icost more than Sil,O0O, aud no specis
lscssion can cost more than $4,000 70
per diem Its members. This Is Ger
tainly good start. The saving IL thu
one amendment alone In one single year
compared with the average cost Of Legis
latures since the adoption 0f the constl
tuition, VII very nearly, ifnot quite, pa!
1.-The cost Of the convention twiceover' Tn
average cost Of regular session OF the lie
gIslature since the imposiiiviI ofthe Canb!
Constitution has been over Sl0O, 900 fOs pe
Ialcu, alouc for 1Acli session; hut II th