Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-19

confident that the majority that OCCASION, re-
presented large majority ofthc free white pop
Glation, and a vast proponderance of the wealth
of tie State, and OF the taxation that he would
willingly rest the question on this issue, and let
it be resolved by appeal TO the ayes and noes
'to the latest census, and to the accounts Of the
public revenue in the auditors Office Iyouch
for the accuracy OF this report Of the substance
OF what passed. This the first occasion, on
which any ever heard from Mr.. Mercer the
least hint, that he could be induced by any consie
ra;ions TO accede to the call of a convention. He
was converted by the fate OF that memorable Dill
of banks.
At the subsequent session Of ISl6---l7, the
memorial OF the Staunton Convention of 1916,
praying the call ola convention without any lima-
lions, was presented TO the house of Delegates
1t was, in evil hour, received and referred to
select committee On the 10Th November 1916,
Mr.. Grymes presented the protest of the minority
OF the same convention, and moved the reference
OF it. note OF the debate is published in the En-
quirer OF the next day. Mr.. Mercer objected to
the reference. But he said, it was from no on
position TO the paper, but from regard 10 the rules
of the house, that he had stated his objections
he Afterwards repeated the same remark; and add
ed, ihat he himself should be opposed to a con-
uention If certai1, detects could De amended
trithoutu.' We shall presently understand, more
distinctly, the sentiments he then entertained. The
protest referred 10 the committee charged
with the memorial.
The committee made its report on the 18th
December, concluding with two resolu ions the
first OF which was in these words Resolved
that II is expedent at the ensuing general cleo
ton for members oi the General Assembly, 10
take the sense of The Electors qualified 10 rote
by The erisfing id,cs, whether they are FOR or
against nven,on, Tor the purpose of amending
Constitution OF this state, as to equaiise the
representation in both branches Of the io.isic-
ti1e, TO eqa0iise taration, ard TO provide FOR
such future alterations, experience shall sug-
gest. Tie other resolution related 70 the man
OF calling and constituting the convention, if
the sense of the people should be in favor OF one
Alter long and interesting debate, which is
very well reported in the Enquirer, Mr. Smyth
Cot Wythe) moved TO amend the first resolution of
the select committee, by striking out the words
electors qualified to pcte By eristing ia,os, and
substituting free icliite male citizens of this COM
saOnscedith, upicdrds Of t,oeniy one gears of
age" thus trying the question whether The right OF
. voting for the delegates to the convention, was
sc 10 be confined TO the freehoiders. - The pro-
position was rejected by majority of los 10 II.
Mr.. Mercer voted in the negative.
Mr.. Tucker made motion TO strike out the w ords
in the latter part of the resolutions which limited the
objects OF the convention; the motion was lost
withouta division; but Mr.. Mercer voted in the
negative,
Air. Hunter (of Farfax) moved to add. TO that
part OF the resolution which prescribed the objects
OF the convention, the words to erteRd the right OF
suffrage; so as TO submit that princpe to the pro-
posed convention. The moiion was carried. But
Mr.. Mercer voted in the negative. He moved 10
suspend the rule OF the House, in order to recon-
slider the vote on Mr.. Hunters amendment. The
House refused 10 suspend the rule. Then, MIR.
Thomson Tot FdiriaX) moved amendment of
Mr.. Hunters amendment, as to make il pro-
vide, that the convention should extend the right
ef suffrage TO all those ach0 hare sufficient eri-
deace Of permanent c0naon interest in, & attach
nieni to the commusiity' (the words of,he Bill of
Rights.) This amendment was carried. And the
House agreed 10 the first resolution thus amended
II was only the recollection of these votes OF
which heard at tie time, that induced me to say,
in my third number, that Mr. MERGERS +" former
opinion in favor of the freehold qualification OF
8 suffrage, had been repeatedly avowed on the
Sc floor OF the House of Delegates Neither did il
ever enter INTO my thoughts, that there any thing
equivocal in those votes, till SAW The last FJee-
man Of 1925. My memory then REQUIRED, with
Intense eXertIon, TO the Whole transactioD and an
jndistinct recollection crossed my mind, that on
some occasion, Mr.. MERGERS sentiments on this
subject, having been incorrectly reported in HE
Enquirer, he had taken the pains correct the mis-
take OF the reporter. | turned to the files of that
paper, and soon found the mistaken report and the
correction. send, for publication, extracts from
the Enquirer OF the 18th and 2sth of january,
1917 From the latter it will distinctly appear,
tErtract 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 interest in the public stock, was not too, an
evidence o. a mans permanent interest in the COM
munity; that there were other defects in the con-
stitution which he would wish to amended; be