Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-19
sErtract from the Enguiyey, Jan. 25. 1917.

'EItract from the Enquirer, Jan. %, 1917
Mr.. Mercer declared, that he too, was for ex-
tending the right of Suffrage he asked, if having
wife and family, If plying mechanic trade, ifhav-
ing an interest IN the public stock, not too, an
evidence o. mans permanent interest in the COM
munity; that there were other defects in the con-
stitution which he w ud wish TO see amended; he
agreed with MIR. Smyth in most OF his ideas as 10
the defects in the constitution, except unlim-
tied suffrage, and the judiciary but though he wish
cd 10 see them amended, he would not attelnp il in
this way; because he did not wish 10 multiply the
points which were to be proposed to be submitted
10 the convenIion-points, too, which might be
subsequently corrected under tie pow er proposed
to be given of making such other alterations as ex-
perience would suggest. He was unwilling to re-
Ter every thing to the vention for if the people
were jealous OF their Legislature OF the Judiciary,
OF the Executive, ought they not, also, TO have
some jealousy OF the convention! He hoped that
gentlemen friendly to convention, would adhere
10 the resolutions of the select committee; other
wise, there would not be that unanimity among
ourselves or among the people, so desirable TO the
success OF the measure. lie said, if the gentleman
Srom Fairfax, Mr.. Thompson) would Withdraw
his proposition, he would then propose that the n
1neadment adopted yesterday be re-consdered, and
hoped that the house would retrace their steps.
Extract from the Enquirer of Jon. 2S, 1917.
sLgSin the hurry in which we put our paper TO
press, some errors are inevitable In last, for
instance, on stating the ayes and noes, upon the
adoption of the first resolution of the select COM
mtee, the name Of MIR. Williams (of Frederick
does not appear, it ought TO do, among the ayes.
MIR. W. not only voted with the ayes, but was the
member 10 call for the ayes and noes.
We are told that we have stated incorrectly the
remarks which fell from Mr.. Mercer (of IL in the
carly part OF the debate on Friday-We most
cheerfuly, therefore, give place to the following
statement.
Mr.. Thompson, of Fairfax, having renewed his
motion 10 amend the report of the Committee
of the whole by inserting after the words "to ex-
tend the right of suffrage" the following: TO all
persons having sufficient evidence Of permanent
common interest with, and attachment TO the COM
munity;' and several gentlemen, among others,
Mr.. Doddrdge, (of Brooke,) and Mr. Estill (of
Washington,) having expressed their appreciation
Of the mo,ion-Mr. Mercer rose and after apollo
gising TO the house for again addressing them upon
the subject Of the report Of the select committee,
which he would not have thought necessary, had
not the worthy chairman Of that committee himself
departed from the course which the friends of
limi ed convention had agreed TO recommend to the
house--proceeted in substance as follows: What
had been the spirit Of that recommendation To
limit the authority of proposed COW enton to two
obiects-an equalization oil the representation OF
people in the General Assembly; and provision
for such future amendments Of the constitution, as
experience had already disclosed, might, hereaf-
ter demonstrate 10 be necessary or expedient. For
the power of this General Assembly to equaze
our present system Of taxation, is as complete at
present, a new convention could render it, and
has been introduced into the resolutions of the
committee to obviste, presume, (ssid Mr.. NJ. an
apprehension which might be entertained in the