The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-12-02

Holden. then moved an
to Settles ordinance, providing Tor
submitting the matter to h people
This was passed, but later reconsad-
cred, and, the convention. de-
Gliding not to put the burden OF
decision upon the people. was re-
jected. Settles ordinance was then
passed. A protest against its pass
age was made by William Eaton, who
was joined in it by ten other dele
gates. The ordinance imposed upon,
the General Assembly the duty OF
providing, as soon as practicable, Tor
the payment Of the State debt not
incurred in aid of the war. 1t fur
Their declared all debts and obliga-
tons incurred in aid of rebellion void,
and removed from the General AS
sembiy all power TO provide for their
payment. President Johnson was
notified Of the conventions action in
the following letter:
Raleigh, October 20, 1865.
The President Of the United States:
Sir:-The convention has adjourn
ed. 1t promptly re~pudiated every
dollar OF the rebel debt and bound all
future legislatures not to pay any OF
it. Your telegram had a most happy
effect. Worth faction is working
hard but will be defeated by a large
majority. Turner and other con-
tumacious leaders ought to be handled
at the proper time. Please pardon
| no leading man unless you near from
me.
w. w. HOLDEN.
On that day the convention. after
! passing a resolution OF thanks to
President Johnson and Governor HOl-
den for their endeavors towards a re-
s~toration of the State to its rights in
the Union, adjournment to meet again
on May "a, 1866.
During the period between the two
sessions, a bitter and exciting political
campaign was carried on in which
Jonathan Worth defeated Provisional
Governor Holden for civil governor.
He took his seat December 20. 1855.
The result Of the election made Hol-
den very bitter and he sought earn
estly though IL successfully to have
the election set aside by the Presi-
dent hat he might remain in office.
a General Assembly was elected
which at once ratified the Thirteenth
Amendment. A full congressional
delegation, J. r. Stubs, G.. G.. Clark,
T. c. Fuller. Josiah Turner, Bedford
Brown, S. H. Walkup, and A. H.
Jones, was chosen. who, with William
A. Graham and John Pool, pools
| place was privately offered to Holden
who would not consent to In election. }
the two Senators chosen by h legis.
~lature, presented themselves in Wash.
ington when the Thirty-ninth Cen.
gress assembled in December, 1865
but were not admitted to their seats
the Radicals already being determin.
ed to conduct reconstruction them
selves for the benefit OF the Republi.
can party.
,. The May Convention.
When the convention assembled il
{ May, OPPOSITION had developed to it
taking any action in regard to tn,
State constitution. This oppositio,
Der Of lawyers opposed any actio,
on the ground hat the convention
: had been called for special purpose
: which it had accomplished at its frs
t session, and that it should therefor
adjourn sine die. Still others desire,
0 its dissolution because a large mum
e Of its members were supporter
n Of Holden They based their argu
. ments upon the same reasons as tn
former class, but a difference is readi
~ discernable. AS soon as the con
ventiOn met, resolutions for adjourn
ment were introduced, declaring tina
it a no authority from the people
and consequently that any alteratio
- Of the fundamental law Of the State
further thar was required by existin
= conditions, would be revolutionar
a and dangerous. Without debate tn
= resolutions were defeated by a vot
!, Of 81 to 30. S. F. Phillips at ono
attempted to secure the passage Of
resolution directing a committee t
prepare an ordinance calling for
y convention Of the people to meet i
1871 to amend the constitution, an
r. ! providing for the dissolution Of tn
II Eexisting body. He argued that as tn
" chief matter OF discussion was til
= question of a new basis OF represents
ton, it would be better to wait unit
the census Of 1870 was taken. II
resolution, however, was tabled al
never acted upon.
u Representation Question.
Up to this time representation
the State had been based upon Fet
a eral population. This worked an il
} justice to the West, and had been tt
cause of a long contest prior to tt
war. All efforts to secure a chane
IA had faiiei hitherto. but a new NOV,
= ment now began and was favored /
= the "straitest sect" or embryo Rad
fc No1 claimant 90 - would orAO<l- :,