Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-31
From the Richmond Enquirer.l

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE-JAN %
CONTENTION
The House resolved itselfinto committee OF
the Whole, Mr. Winston in the chair, on the
bill concerning convention.
MIR Burton, with view Of saving the time
ofthe House, and trying the principle OF the bill,
moved to strike out the first sertion. This mo-
ton gave rise to- desultory conversation, in
which its propriety was questioned by Messrs.
Letter, Carter of Pr. VIM Ship, Jackson,
Blackburn and Harvie. The two last gentle
men, being opposed to convention thought
the number and responsibility OF the friends OF
the measure required that 1t should have full
and fair hearing before the House, when the adj
vocates of it were prepared TO enter into dis
cussion: Mr.. Jackson having objected to the
motion, as being calculated to bring on the dis
cussion of the merits, contrary to the exPecta-
tons of the House. He thought II had been I'M
derstood both by the friends and the opponents
of convention that as no newviews could be
taken on the subject, it was not to be discussed.
The motion was sustained by MIR. Patteson OF
B Pending this question MIR Jackson made
an unsuccessful motion tor the committee to
rise and ask leave to sit again. Ayes 70, noes
1913. MIR. Burton's motion was then negatived.
On Mr.. Dromgoole's motion the words In
the I'd section, sin order that the proper mea-
.ures may be taken to carry the will OF the peo-
ple into effect were stricken out-the friends
of the bill acceding to the motion.
Mr. Dromgooe also moved to amend the
preamble, by striking out the word large, IN
the clause which speaks of the number OF per-
sons DESTROYS Of convention. He wished
not that the bill should be passed containing an
indication of the opinion or wishes OF the legis-
lature Mr.. Patteson of A. and Mr.. Ship OPP
posed this amendment.
Mr. Gholson offered the following substitute
to the preamble.
Whereas sundry and respectful petitions have
been presented To the present General Assem-
Div, praying that facilities may be afforded for
the purpose Of eliciting full and deliberate ex-
preston Of public sentiment on the Propriety
of calling convention 10 amend our state con-
sti,urion; and whereas this Legislature enter
tains The opinion that the grant Of such facili-
ties will tend to develope the wishes OF the
majority on this important subject, and by that
means to allay the present excitement-And
whereas this legislature further entertains the
opinion that the passage Of such law is fraughl
with no danger either to the republican prnci-
ple or the public veal, but directly recognises
the supremacy of the people and the sovereign
ty u their will.
MIR. G.. drew distinction between the pro-
priety of calling convention and merely sub
hitting the subject to the consideration and de-
cision Of the people. The public sentiment in
his county on the propriety OF referring the
question to the people was not distinctly known;
and whilst he held sacred the right Of instruc-
ton, in the absence Of such instruction he should
pursue the honest dictates ofhis Judgment, and
vote for the bill. There was no danger in leav-
ing the matter to the people. Ehis motion not
being in order, until the motion Of MIR. ID. should
BE- 'isposed Of, the debate was resumed on the
latter motion.
/, vas supported by Messrs. Taylor, Craig,
Crump Of G., and opposed by Messrs. Jackson,
Everett, and pat,eson Of A.
II was insisted that the expression "large por-
ton of the people" was calculated TO make an
improper impression on the public mind, as to
the number Of friends of convention; that use
would be made of it by demagogues; that the
"a, might, or it might not be true; and by slri-
king ,Ge word out, the committee would hazard
rotSisg; they would merely say "a portion OF
the ople.'' The word asserted the very fact,
wmcn i, was the object Of the bill to ascertain.
To this argument it was replied, that The word