Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-30


ia,,s asmav give effect TO their VIII.
Tbe gentleman from Norfolk, himself.
,,roposes. in the event of the failure ofhis
resent motion To offer substitute for
the Report OF the Select Committee, that
will greatly transcend the limits which they
have prescribed tor us.
Committee ofTevisors, appointed by
Ms. are to be empowered to make a new
PROSTITUTION, which, if the next Assembly
s,nroyc Il. is, wiihoutany further enquiry,
81 he submitted 10 the consideration and
adoption OF the people in their ditiusive
ranacity. Sir, (sa;d Mr.. VI ) had | thought
with tie gentleman from Nythe, that
there existed no doubt ut the wishes of
the people in relation 90 The subject be
fore us, would have voted with hlH for
the immediate call Ola Convention. The
Constitution and the proceedings of the
Staumton Convention, do not prove TO
nv satisfaction, that majority OF the
peoplc of this Commonwealth are in favor
Of radical change OF our present Con
stitution.
The memorial from S!auntcn sought
an unlimited Convention; the Select
Committee, to whom it was referred, have
reported i'm favor of = Convention with
limited authority know that the pre-
GENT discontents are great-are rcreas-
;ru-and lhatihev ought to be appeased !;
hut I know not their precise extent, and
have ever been opposed 10 great and sud
den innovations upon our laws. So,
believe, are the people OF tins Common
wealth. | am ready to go farther. If
the representation in the other branch of
the Legislature were equalized, and GER
tain complaints removed, winch are with
in the scope OF our ordinary Legislation,
believe the people would be content to
atom there. | do not believe they have
hitherto looked beyond this object: and
were il attained by our act, although the
question whether there should be Con
yention might be submitted TO them, at
the ensuing elections, they would not
leave home TO vote torlt.
For myself, sir, althougha member of
the Select Committee, stood aloot from
their proceedings at the commencement
of tire session, and urged many of the
most active members of the House to
bring in bin TO equaiize the senatorial
districts. heard with great satisfaction,
from an honorable Senator, that he and
MANY ofhis colleagues would resign their
seats in that BODY, in order to remove 1t
necessary any constitutional impedlments
to such d reform.
Disposed as am TO submit the Ques-
ple, | deem il unwise and ungenerous to
expose the Constitution of our govern
ment TO censure and condemnation, for
defects which the Legislature has created
and can AT pleasure remove.
appeal, (said Mr.. NJ. 10 the member
from Norfolk, ifhe does not recollect the
call which made upon him to bring i'll a
bill for this purpose a call which sub
sequentlv addressed 10 the member from
Wvthe, OH my left-to the member from
TIenrico, who is sitting before me, and to
the members from Washington x Brooke,
and TO many other honorable members OF
this House. Suffering from i'll health in
the early part of the session and epprsss-
ed by multitude OF other duties, |
shrunk from new and laborious task,
which | was well assured many other
gentlemen could perform with much
more ability and greater likelihood ofsuc-
cess-Sir, Iimplorcd the gentleman from
Norfolk TO take upon himself the task fer
which he was so well fitted, bnt implor-
ed i'm vain Need [ say that am at
tached 10 our present Constitution 81
feel a veneration for the old tree, the
withered trunk of which yet stands, |
am told, by nv fathers house-its shade
sheltered from the sun, my boyish sports,
and his aged head, while he regarded his
son with parental love. Can feel less
affection for the Constitution which he
contributed To form How often, sir,
have we together recorded our votes d
gainst any change of this Constitutions
Sir, love my native state, also. This
House will allow me to make this decara-
ton without inputing to me any decep-
ton. Iwish TO see this Commonwealth
prosper beyond every State ofour Union;
that Union-moret than every other coun-
try on the face Of the Globe But how
can this Commonwealth flourish beneath
this blighting Inequality Of representa-
tion2 The means ofprosperily and great
ness have been within our reach, but are
now wrested from our very grasp. The
deadly influence of local interests has
Frustrated all our exertion and blasted all
our hopes. How often haye | felt the
beDumbing contagion, chill the genial
current Of my blood, creep over all my
faculties, and w;ther nay very strength.
The member from Norfolk, MIR. Speak
or, requires ne TO perform duty alike
paiufHl and delicate TO trace the mis-
chiefs resulting from the inequality of
Our present representation i'll the history
OF our past measures.
Sir, Said Mr. ND | would not offend
the pride. nor wound the feelings of any
portion OF this Assembly. Wheresover
turn my eyes, in this House, behold my
associates, nv fellow labourers, for the
f,.-t ,Ita,oio.r tho ,,uI,ifo