Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-12-15

was intended that the next legislature should SC
consider it.
} Mr. Coiston thought the proceeding novel
one MANY of the other states had amended their
constitutions, and such measure had never been
adopted by them. II the absent voters were to be
counted on both sides in the ratio of those who
voted he should have no objection. il might be
equally necessary to require such list in the
ordinary elections OF the country, because pure
legislation was necessary, and for the came ea-
son 1t ought TO be ascer,anel that every member
On that hcor Yas elected by majority OF the yo-
tiers OF his county. And If such rule were "a
| dopted but few members could be elected.
! MIR. Newton said, that such rule had been
ADOPTED by many OF the other states in amending
tnelr constitutions and referred particularly to
'ne state constitution Of Louisiana He could not
aumit mat the sames principle ought to govern in
eiec',ons to that House as en- this occasion "a
plurality in tae one case was sufficient, when in
Tue o'hsr majority was necessary. He thought
'hat all VINO had cause to complain of the consti.
u'on would be ready enoughto attend the polls
ihe question was then taken and the amendme emit
ios'' Ayes VI, Noes los. The committee then
rose and A1r. Ghoson reported the bill to the
i'ouse with verbal amendment which YVES con-
cured in
| On 4hASday Mr.. Colston called up the con-
ven'ion bill Mr.. Newton renewe the motion he
hau MADE In committee ofihe whole to amend The
Dill. lie said that if be had frankly acknowledged
J 49, S>PcNtcu W Ot Udue OF tne Isis OF
nose who fahed to vote, there were others per.
maps. who did not intend il should be SO used,
Out that 1t would be only presenting to the mex,
| Legislature the whole view of The subject.
MIR. Brown said ifihe object was merely to COLI
iect information for future legislature be should
nave no objeciion,- provided he was satisfied that
such provision in the bill would not diminish
the vote that would be taken But he contended
that such would be the effect of il, as those who
were opposed TO a convection, knowing that they
would be counted in the estimate, would remain
| al nome. They would have strong Undue ement
10 do so. because il must necessarily occur that
rom avariety OF causes, many of the friends of a
| convention VIII be prevented from sttendie the
Poiis-and The opponents OF The measure will in
tentionally stay away, that il may be matter of
notorieiy that they did not VOTE and the inference
VIII De stronger that all the absentees are oppo-
| neh's OF convention. Mr.. b, thought that those
WAC did not feel interest enough in the question to
carry them to the polls, ought to be CONSIDERS as
cyphers, and be thrown out of the estimate. The
amendment would increase the difficulty of ascer-
tanning the actual number of the friends and op-
Poheh's OF convention-because the sentiments
OF all VINO stay away cannot be known-nor would
oe correct 10 consider all the names on the Com
mlssioners' Books as actual voters IL i. we'll
known mat constant transfers making through
out the country and that the names of individuals
VINO hold only an equitable title to real property
appear on the books,-Again, when the voter APP
pears az the polls, his right to vote may be inves-
'isa'eu by the shorthand greater certainty ar.
rived at than his relying on the Commission r's
DOCKS The names OF landowners often appear
on me books, when the title has been acquired
WITHIN SIX months. How he asked, could the
shefih ascertain these facisf Mr.. b. though that
u would be as well not to have a poll taken of
the opponents Of convention, as to adopt the
amendment.
Mr. May was friendly to the passage of the bill,
shu nau no wish to embarrass il; but consist emily
WIN the principles which induced him 10 vote for
II, he was compelled to vote for the amendment
Inc great object of the bill was to obtain informa.
iion for the people, and the legislature ON n oues-
Ilon OF vital interest, and the amendment PROPOSED
10 add TO that information. He was not afraid to
trust the people with the decision Of the question
nor was ne afraid TO trust them or the legislature
WIN the information sought to be obtained. He
oiu hot tnink II matter OF course that the absen-
tees from the polls should be all coun,eJ on one
side. The Legislature be doubted not, would pu,
their own construction on the list and act COR
! feetiy diversity OF opinion already appeared
| d. 10 'ue SUBJECT. One member thosgh the absen-
tees ought TO be counted on one side-another
'hat they should be disposed OF according TO
certain ratio with the votes actually taken A.
| an Individual, and as member of tha, House he
ieit anxious TO know the number of voters friend
y 10, an opposed TO a convention, and also the
number who were Indifferent on the subject Th.
amendm ent he thought much more proper now
'nan IL was at the last session. because at the en-
| sung elections there will be no congressional
eiectons, but SIX senatorial elections and perhaps
out Lille opposition for seats ON that floor There
! was nothlnS therefore to call out the people and
| tbe vote would probably be small one III he
couiu be satisfied thar distinct majority of the
| people were In favor of convention as citizen
ne should not oppose il, and as q member of that
'1ouse he could not. lie went into a calculation
| 10 snow that II was possible that convention
| might be called without this amendment nv les
than majority fihe people.
MIR. Gregory, in support of the amendment, re-
marked that The principal objection TO il was, that
| shoolu II DE agreed 10, lwoud have an ims
proper Influence. He IL tight the question re-
solved HEEL into one of instruction. Would il
oe contended, he asked, that the next Legislature
should De instructed by lees than majority of all
'he HeehoIdefs! The question of convention
gained much strength from the feeling entertaine ed
towards the non-fTeebolders He therefore tbo't
I u mghiy important that the strength OF parties
should be ascertained Dogentlemen mean 10 ca.
'aolsh government not founded on the sanction
oil the people! II they would establish psrma-
heDt ana acceptable government let them base il
on the VIII oil majority OF the people, fully and
fairly ssceriained.
MIR. Wilson wished the b II 10 be decided unon
in own merits; but he insisted that the attn endment
was consistent with the principle of the bin
iha' house, he said, were the representatives. Of
tue WhoIe people, and the object was 10 ascertain
/ theiT opinion. The bill Itself would only show
me opinions of the voters but not of the people
The ioTm OF The government ought not TO be
cHabSeo bdt IN pursuance OF the will of the maio-
4 ''y OF 'he whole; and ought not that will to be
asceriaIned! by hs bill 1t is required that If n
majority vote Tor convention, measures arc TO be
'aken 10 organize one land If be were member
jol me next Legislature, he should desire The infors
nation sought 10y the amendment.