The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-12-18
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HOUSE Or DELEGATES.

hing . slueeu, the following resolutions we're a.
efetd 10:
Rssolred. That 50 rnleh Of the Governors
Message as recommends lie oiganiz alton Of a
plan better calculated - seenre the more oflec-
tnai ond gener.I diffusion III the benefits of the
Literary 1 und, be referred 10 lle Committee Of
Schools and Colleges with directions 10 report
thereon.
Rtsoired, That The portion of TIE Governors
Message which relates 10 the gstefn OF Internal
Improvement, be referred 10 the Committee OF
Roads aud internal Navigation with directions
10 report, &c
Mr. Nacrse obtained leave TO bring in bill
10 amend the act changing the time OF holding
the fall term oftho Superior Courts IN the third
circuit.
On Mr. Briggs motion the Committee for
Courts Of Justice were instructed to enquire into
the ezpcdicoey ofamending the act relating to
The authencation ofdeeds.
On MIR. Winston's motion, leave was given To
bring IN bill 10 amend the law directing the
mode oflaying and collecting the county levy
Mt LETTER offered the following resolution:
Rcsolred, That leave b given TO bring in a
bill to take the vote Of the freeholdcrs Of this
Commonwealth, on the subject Of calling
Convention Ia amend the Constitution
In support ofthis resolution Mr. l.. remarked
that II would be perceived that tine sense Of the
htth0fdefs only was proposed to be taken. 1t
vas subject ofdefp interest 10 the people, and
they had manifested tbatintercst eyor since 1901
In some parts OF the state the sentiments Of the
people on the call of a Convention had been la
Aeui Ia aefe existed 70 data by which Tie
general opinion could be known Ii was conf
IDENTITY believed, however that at least half If nor
majority OF the freeholders were for a Conven-
ton The people, ne sontended, were the soYc-
reign power otthe state, and not the legislature
and II was surely not asking too much thai the
will of the freehoders should be ascertaned in
the manner proposed He declined going into
a discussion of the merits at that time.
Dir Page thought the subject one ON which
the House had no right TO legslate; they had
been clothed with no such power, and il would
not be proper 10 exercise it. Such a law was
not now asked Tor by the people; and the House
ought TO wait until they were clothed with the
power, and called upon to exercise it,
Mr.. Coston did not know what was meant
by waiting until the power was specially delep,,-
ted. II The friends OF Convention were to cir
cuate petitions and get numerous subscribers
TO them, they were denounced as agitaioyS of the
pubic mind; and if they came before the House
without petitions, II was said that there was no
power 10 aci upon the subject. Ii the table was
not grooming under the weight Of petitions. as il
people and brought along with them their seoti-
ments and wishes, lie thought that the obiec-
ton OF MI Page would be correct, if the pr0po-
stion was to pass law calling Convention
ms was not It's character. Ii was merely 10 as.
certain what was the sense Of the flcehpldcrs.
MI. Rage remarked that the fact that many
peuions mad been presented at former sessions
and been rejected, and that there were now no
petitions, proved tbul the people were satisfied
on the subject. lie called for the ayes and
noes.
Gen. Taylor asked the Chair if the adoption
ot the resolution would settle any thing} He
was replied by The Speaker thai it would not
as IT did not involve the merits of the hill but ii
1t tie rcjte'ed the question would then be consi-
dered rs settled Tor the session Gen. I. then
remarked that ne would not disguise his scnti
ments ON this OF any other subject In voting oo
the oil he should consider himself bound by the
will OF his constituents, who were uot friendly 10
a Convention. His duty 10 them he should most
nnquestionaby perform; but he should take a fit
occasion TO state that that vote would not be the
test OF bis individual opinion
Mr.. Irvine considered the objection o { Mr..
Page unsuostantal He drew distinction be
tween law proposing to amend the Constitution
or 10 call Convention Tor that purpose, aud the
proposition merely to take the sense of the peo-
pie
Mr.. Mallory explained the vote he should give
on the resolution, knowing the will of his consi.
tuents, and feeling bound by it, he should vote
against the resolutions, Nhateverwere LIS private
opiuions.
Mr.. Gholson thought il uncanlid 10 saw that
the people were satisfied ON the subject Of a Con-
Vcntion. From the number of petitions at late
session, and the occurrences of the last few
years, he was induced to think that many of
them wanted IL Convention His constituents
were decidedly opposed To one--but be could
not give a vote that would say to them, that
they were not to be trusted with a question deep
~ affecting their interests. The present time
and the lights OF the present age, he thought as
favorable as at the period of the adoption of the
Constitution. II ma jolity wanted change. no
republican, he thought could say they had not a
right to it--and ifihey wanted a Convention to
effect IT, in the name ofiusce and of liberty let
then have IT. And if a majority we've opposed
10 Convention, where would be the mischief OF
submitting the question: twoudbe negatyed,
and the Constitution would he safe. He tho't
that a respectable minority ought always to be
heard There was no danger III it. Ii was due
to them to nave their claims fully and fairly
heard and decided. Such course would satisfy
aud quiet them.
MI. Usphur remarked thathe had never con-
cfard his opinions on this subject II was not
the interest OF his section of Country to have
Convention. He had been instructed almost IL
unanimously by his constituents 10 vote against
one. lhat instruction was obligatory ON him
but he did not Consider that on such doubt
ini question, on which the votes OF the Lcgsla-
tufe had been 80 nearly balanced his instructions
required him to smother the subject on its first
introduction, andn wait for its friends 10 ma
ture and present il in the least objectionable
shape Heretofore this question had been al
ways been acted upon after notice The House
was not now full, and there had been no notice
OF such proposition If il be rejected, under
the rules II could not be aga'n introduced with
out suspendmg that rule. He was disposedto
let the matter progress, and not smother it IA its
inception. He did not doubt hui thai the refusal
OF the Legislature 10 submit the question TO
the people had procured more friends 10 a
Convention than all the argument aud clio
9nence TO which the subject had given rise But
thatHas not the time tor the discussion When
the most obscure Individual came before the
House, he was allowed the privilege OF being
heard. If there were no petitions. the people
were speaking hV almost maiority nj tbpir