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

SAKeWO InOVS O1 AnC w. l
element who thought that by this
they would gain control OF the les1s-
lature through the changed basis OF
representation. The or thiS
element was much more apparent in
the convention than in the General
Assembly, but it was not strong
enough to overcome the conservative
forces. The whole session was mark
ed by a series of compromises; SO. II
the advantage remained with any
particular faction, it cannot be dis
tinguished The constitution, as a
whole, was not a matter on which
the two factions divided. h vote,
on it's final adoption, being 63 to 80.
AS submitted to the people. the CON
stitution was q more compact instru-
| ment than the original. for all the
various amendments made from time
to time were incorporated in their
| proper places. The only important
! change in the Bill Of Rights vas the
addition Of clauses prohibiting slavery.
prohibiting the quartering of troops
upon citizens except under certain
laws. and providing that the courts
should always be open to every per
son. The basis OF representation for
the House OF Commons was changed
to white population. The office OF
lieutenant governor was established
No one could hold the Office of COVER
nor or lieutenant governor unless he
had been a citizen of the United
States for twenty years. a resident
Of the State for five years Immediately
preceding h election, be thirty years
OF age. and possessed OF land In fee
to the value of $1,000. Senators were
required to be thirty years Of age and
possess three undred acres Of and
in fee or a freehold Of not less value
than $1,000. Members Of the House
OF Commons we're required to have a
freehold Of one hundred acres or to
the value of $30e. Five years resi-
ed OF the members OF both houses.
None but white persons were eligible
as voters or ofice-holders. fBy white
was meant having less thar one-six-
teenth negro bloody All persons
taking office were required to take,
besides their official oath, n to sup
port the State constitution SO far as
it was not inconsistent with that Of
the United States. 1t was provided
that no amendment should be made
to the constitution except tkrour h a
convention. Magistrates were there
batter to be chosen by the people for
a term OF six years.
Clearer and Fuller.
In addition to being more compact,
thar the existing one. In fact, only
one great fault could be found with
it, considered in the light Of its time,
and that defect defeated it. AS soon
as it was submitted to the people an
exceedingly able discussion of the
question o. ratification began. All
the opposition of Importance was
based on the question OF the validity
, OF the action OF the convention.
5 Judge Ruffin and Judge Manly were
= probably the most influential and dis
. tinguished Of its opponents. The
: former was opposed to the white basi.
, OF representation, but his chief argu.
a ment was against the authority Of thx
8 convention. He said thai it had nc
more authority in law than any vol.
e untAry assembfage OF persons, and or
this ground advised the rejection o,
the constitution. This involved 6
= doubt Of the validity OF the conyen.
: TONS actions at its first session. ant
e also raised a question as to the statu.
Of the governments Of the variou.
Southern States. Thaddeus Steven.
: I1ater quoted him as an authority OF
his own position regarding them
(Stevens in his speech at Bedford
Judge Rafin, one OF the ablest an6
z ~fairest of secessionists. The Chic.
y Justice is right. Not a rebel State ha,
e this day a lawful governor. Standard
e September 10, 1885, Judge Mani,
e objected to the constitution itself. an1
a 4 dASO S1dL18cO tiAdl, Vile the CONVEX
O ton had a valid existence and au
a thority o the purpose mentioned b,
n the President in his proclamation. j
d had none for any further action. vii
liam A. Graham was also amcng tn,
le number OF its opponents.
le AS might be imagined, B. F. Moor
Y was the strongest defender OF tn,
ii constitution, or rather of the authorit,
is of h convention. Unfortunately. hi
ID main argument, a discussion of tn,
war power Of the President, and al
exceedingly able one, did not appea
n until after the constitution had bee.
l. rejected. 1t was written in reply t
4 Judge Raffin's argument, and Will
lie not showing. possibly, as great a re
ae spect for any knowledge Of constitu
,e tionaI law as that Of the former chic
e justice. it indicated a clearer perceo
~ ton Of the chan red conditions brough
i about by the war Governor Wort
;, alec f.xoHnd r0tiAn0t. -lJ~ ~