The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-09-29

q Tue United States fof ASSURANCE
and support t ~
Ratified the Goth day OF August, A.
ID, 1858. ~.
And now to return to proceedings
in Nortns Carolina:
1t having been shown that the leg
islature OF 1868 was a body unknown
to the laws and constitution of the
state; not elected under the constitu-
ton existing prior to 1860 or prior to
1868; and elected at time when the
constitution of 1868 had not been rati-
fled and was without validity or
force; it will now be shown that the
particular acts under which these al,
legged bonds we're issued were passed
by bribery and corruption, and in adj
dition that they were without consti-
tutional warrant even under the con-
stitution of 1868.
Governor Holden. the Provisional
Governor, convened the new legisla-
ture in special session on July i,
1868. As tie members Of that body
came up to be sworn, most Of the
democratic members were ordered to
stand aside on the pretense that they
were barred" and could not be ad-
mitted to their seats. Later this ruiz
ing was relaxed as TO majority Of
them and the senate allowed seats to
ten democrats and the house to 25.
AT that time what is known as the
XIV amendment to the constitution
Of the United States had not been
ratified and declared a part of the
constitution, and there was no consti-
tutional obstacle to these men holding
office.
son July 4th, amid great rejoicing
by the republicans, the new govern
ment was formally inaugurated. The
change was complete.
So thorough at all points had been
the victory of those who supported
the reconstruction measures that the
republican leaders felt every assur-
ance of long period Of political DOM
nation in the state. They at once
began the work of securing the spoils,
of recasting the laws. and of creating
what they called "a new North Caro-
lima" upon the wreck Of that honest
"old North Carolina" whose tradi-
tons were SO honorable to our peo-
pie.
Legislation affecting the negro race
was the first to receive attention along
with some provision to prevent anti
cipated resistance to the new govern
ment. Then came the spoils. Even
at the special session the work OF
plumber began. and the harpies fixed
heir talons on the public treasury.
New North Carolina needed a
penitentiary and 100000 of bonds
We're issued and made away with in
that connection. And "New North
Carolina" needed railroads and cry
went up for Internal improvements"
and railways were projected from
every town in the state without re-
gard to cost. II was a well devised
plan. II appealed to the interest oil
every community. Every county and
every town was to be on a boom
Immense strides were to be made i'm.
mediately in material progress, and
the whole state was to be developed
at once by means Of Internal Improve.
ments. Such was the song of the
sirens. Such were the promise OF
Deweese and Latin and Littlefield and
the other plotters for the spoils. But
surely bonds would be necessary
Surely the state must subscribe
heavily; surely the administration
must appoint the officers and the OF.
icers must be Of the faithful. And
so II happened that even at the spec.
ial session the Western North Caro-.
lima Railroad was ,cut In twain and
six millions OF bonds were ordered &c
be issued to the western division. OF
this part George w. Swepson, man
OF large wealth and principal stock.
holder In the largest bank in the
state, was at once elected president
and his name added strength to the
republican cause.
At that time our people were poor
indeed. Our personal property had
been swept away and our lands were
all but valueless. Labor was dis.
organized, and our industries were
unremuneratiye, while the ashes OF
desolation were still hot with the EN-.
bers OF the war. Taxes TO pay the
current expenses OF government wer,
collected with difficulty. and two mil.
lions OF interest was past due on tn,
odd debt" which then amounted u
fourteen million Of dollars.
But neither a bankrupt people. moi
an empty treasury, nor two million,
OF interest past due could arrest III,
plans OF the conspirators, nor diver
them from their scheme OF pl.nder.
On August Goth the legislature di.
rected the treasurer to fund the inter
est, issuing bonds therefor, and. with
a great show Of honesty. ordered hin
to pay the interest thereafter prompt.
"; and then. having borrowed $780,.
600 to pay their per diem. they adj
iourned their special session. Tn,
vampires had. however. IN those two
months obtained a taste OF blood. and
when the assembly reconyened ii
November their appetites were vel
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