Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-23


thing equivocal in those votes, till saw
the last Freeman Of 1925. My memory
then required, with intense exertion, to
the whole transaction; and an indistinct
recollection crossed my mind, that on
some occasion, Mr.. MERGERS senti-
ments on this subject, having been in
correctly reported in the Enquirer, he
had taken the pains to correct the mis-
take Of the reporter. turned to the
files Of that paper, and soon found the
mistaken report, and the correction.
l send, for publication, extracts from
the Enquirer of the 25th and 28th OF
January, 1879 From the latter it will
.Eztruet from lie Enquirer of Jan. IS, 1917.
Mr.. Mercer declared, that he too. was for
extending the right Of suffrage; he asked, if
having q wife and family, if plying mechanic
trade, If having an interest in the public stock,
was not too, an evidence ola mans permanent
interest in the community; that there were
other defects in the constitution which he
would wish to see amended; he agreed with
Mr.. Smyth in most of his ideas as to the de-
fccts in the constitution, except as to unlimit-
ed suffrage, and the Judiciary; but though he
wished to see them amended, he would not
attempt it in this way; because he did not wish
to multiply the points which were to be pro-
posed to be submitted to the convention
points, too, which might be subsequently cor
rected under the power proposed to be given
ofmaking such other alterations as experience
would suggest. He was unwilling to refer
every thing to the convention; for if the peo-
pie 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 a con-
vention, would adhere to the resolutions Of
the select committee; otherwise, there would
not be that unanimity among ourselves, or a.
mong the people, so desirable to the success
of the measure. He said, if the gentleman
from Fairfax, (Slr. Thompson) would with
draw his proposition, he would then propose
that the amendment adopted Yesterday be re-
considered, and hoped that the house would
retrace their steps.
Extract from the Enquirer Of Jan. %, 1917.
UTln the hurry in which we put our paper
to press, some errors are inevitable.-In our
last, for instance, on stating the ayes and noes,
upon the adoption Of the first resolution of the
select committee, the name of Mr.. Williams
(of Frederick does not appear, as it ought to
do, among the ayes. Mr.. w. not only voted
with the ayes, but was the member to call for
the ayes and noes
We are told that we have stated incorrectly
L. in the early part of the debate OF Friday
n IL -c.,l1, On,
the following statement.
Mr.. Thompson, of FIX, having renewed his
motion to amend the report the committee of
extend the right of suffrage" the follow
ing: ''to all persons having sufficient evidence
of permanent common interest with, and at
tachment to the community;" and several gen.
tlemen, among others, Mr.. DoddrAge, (of
Brooke, and Mr.. Estill (of Washington hav-
ing expressed their appreciation ofthe motion
Mr.. Mercer rose, and after apologising to
the house for again addressing them upon the
subject Of the report ofthe 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 a limited convention had agreed to
recommend to the house-proceededm sub
stance as follows. What had been the spirit Of
that recommendation To limit the authority
ola proposed convention to two objects-An
equalization of the representation Of people
in the General Assembly; and provision for
such future amendments Of the constitution,
as experience had already disclosed, or might,
hereafter demonstrate to be necessary or ex-
pedient. For the power of this General As
sembly to equalise our present system Of taxa
ton, is as complete at present, as new con.
vention could render it, and has been intro
duced into the resolutions of the committee
to obviate, l presume, (said Mr.. NJ an ap.
prehension which might be entertained in the
lower country, that after the equality of our
representation had been restored, the Unequal
ity Of our taxation would be permitted to re
main: of which, in that event, they would
have so Just right to complain.
Why depart from the report of the select
committee, founded in sentiment of modera-
ton, 50 ,ceR calculated to ensure rs object, the
assent of majority of the people to the pro-
posed conventionl Sir, regretted on yester-
day to see the friends of a measure, so essen
tial to the future tranquility and happiness of
the Commonw ealth, abandon their own prin-
ciples. Has any beneficial object been at
powers of the convention beyond the limits so
wisely fixed by the committee, where will
you stop Will not the member from Wythe
propose further to amend the resolutions. by
inserting power to alter or abolish other
parts of the existing constitution Sir, am
very far from pronouncing all the alterations
which he proposes, either unnecessary or in
expedient Tam Of opinion, that the Eyseu-
tire branch of our government tUould be impror-
ed by topping of from 1t the council Of state;
and The independence Of the Erecutirs, on the
Legislature, augmented By an election Of the
Governor by the people. But would vote q.
gainst any effort to enlarge the powers of the
convention, in relation to these objects, how
ever desirable in themselves, as yesterday
voted against the amendment Of the member
from Fairfax, which requires the convention
to extend the rights Of suffrage. Sir, the
rote of yesterday Is no sridsnee Of the sentiment
of the nsinority on the subject Of freehold suf-
}raee. His an evidence Of our unaciAingness
10 iazndthe loss Of ,Ohat ,ce all haze at heart,
6y extending our rie,os too far. 4 am not OPP
posedto any possible extension al the right Of