Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-23
ory. and I think Mr.. Mercer can hard.

ory, and think Mr.. Mercer can hard
ly have forgotten it.
The bill to incorporate the new
banks was (as have said) indefinite
" postponed on the 9Th OF February: on
the 9Th, the convention bill of that ses-
sion was taken up. To the general
surprise of all who knew him, Mr.:
Mercer avowed himself a friend OF
that bill. He said Tin substance shat
'the minority who had voted for char
'tering the new banks, represented .
'larger portion of the wealth and free
white population of the state, than
was represented by the nagorify on
shat occasion; and that that vote was
evidence to his mind, that the rights
.sof the majority Of the people had
sbeen ard would continue to be saeri-
feed, unless the inequalities OF the re-
spresentatioN were corrected by re-
form Of the constitution And this
fact, so assumed, and the deductions he
made from it, constituted, / think the
sole, I am sure the main argument, BY
which he yindica,ed his change OF
sentiment on the subject Of conven-
ton, and enforced his new opinions.
Mr.. S,anard rose in his place, and Eek.
pressed his as,onishment, that the as
sertion Of such a fact should be ha-
'zarded.' she said he had mads no
calculations, but he was confident
shat the majority on that occasion, re-
presented large majority Of the free
'white population, and a vast prepon-
sderance Of the wealth of the State, and
of the taxation: that he would willing
slyr the question on this issue, and
Set it be resolved by an appeal to the
sapes and noes, to the latest census, and
sto the accounts Of the public revenue
Sin the auditors Office. vouch for
the accuracy of this report Of the sub
stance Of what passed. This was the
first occasion, on which any man ever
heard from Mr.. Mercer the least hint
that he could be induced by any con-
siderations to accede to the call OF a
convention. He was converted by the
fate of that memorable BIZ O 6anks.
At the subsequent session OF 1876
II, the memorial of the Staunton Con-
ven,ion Of 1916, praying the call Of a
convention without any limitations,
was presented to the house Of delegates.
1t was, in evil hour, received and re-
ferred TO a select committee. On the
Goth November 1916, MIR. Grymes pre-
sented the protest of the minority of
the same convention, and moved the
reference of it. A note Of the debate
is published in the Enquirer of the
next day. Mr.. Mercer objected to the
reference. But he said, 'it was from
sno opposition to the paper, but from
regard to the rules of the house, that
She had stated his objections. He
afterwards repeated the same remark /;
and added, that She himsey should be OPP
sposed TO convention certain defects
could be amended ,oiihout it, We shall
presently understand, more distinctly,
the sentiments he then entertained.
The protest was referred to the COM
mittee charged with the memorial.
The committee made its report on
the 18th December, concluding with
two resolutions, the first ofwhiCh was
in these words; Resolved, that it is
sexpedient, at the ensuing general cleo
stion for members Of the General AS
ssembly, to take the sense Of the Elec-
stors qualified to rote By the eristins la,cs,
whether they are for or against con-
'yention, for thepurpose ofamendingthe
scopstitu ton Of this state, Sc rs to eqna-
sH-e the representation in both branches Of
sths legislature, to eglalise taration, and
sto provide for such future alterations,
sas experience shall suggest The
other resolution related to the man.
ner of calling and constituting the con-
ven,ion, if the sense Of the people
should be in favor Of one.
After long and interesting debate,
which is very well reported in the En-
ouirer, Mr.. Smyth (of Wythel moved
10 amend the 6rst resolution OF the Sc
lect committee, by striking out the
words electors qualified to rote By sristing
la,cs, and substituting free rdite male
citizens of this commonwealth, upcards Of
tsoenty one gears Of ags-",hrs trying
"the question whether the right Of
avoting for the delegates 10 the con-
ayentiop, was to be confined, to the
stockholders" The proposition was re-
;ected by a majority Of los to AZ. MIR
Mercer voted in the negative.
Mr.. Tucker made motion to strike
out the words in the latter part OF the
resolution, which limited the objects OF
the convention; the motion was lost
without a division; but Mr.. Mercer vo-
ted in the negative.
MIR. Hunter (of Fairfax) moved to
add to that part Of the resolution,whic
prescribed the objects Of the conven-
ton, the words 10 srfend the right OF
suffrage; so as to submit that principle