Thursday, February 20, 1868
The Convention was called to order on Thursday at 10 o’clock, with Mr. Cowles absent, Mr. King of Lenoir called to the Chair.
The committee report on redistricting the Congressional districts was read with the only change being the transfer of New Hanover to the third district. Mr. Congleton said the a natural location of New Hanover recommended the change. It will also tend to equalize the voters. It will give both New Bern and Wilmington a fair chance politically and commercially. When yeas and nays were taken, the committee report was approved with this change included.
Discussion then turned back to the suffrage question. There were many lengthy speeches. When the convention reconvened at 7:30 p.m., speeches continued.
On motion the Convention adjourned.
Resources
Ferrell, Joseph, ed., Compilation of the Official Report of the Proceedings of the Convention (Chapel Hill, N.C.: unpublished manuscript 2007). (See day 8 for fuller explanation of this resource.)
*The debate and other quotes are close to verbatim from the reported resources with some adjustment to put all comments in first person, present tense.