Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-01-30

Mr.. Everitt called up the resolution, cc,c.r,,r II I;I
n M INC motion to discharge the Committee
' 'ic iu'her CONSTIPATION of the sulrc He said he
knew OF nothing in the laws Constitution yh,ch raye IN
me Legislature the power Investigating the right If Mr.
biups tn his this Huor. II, had been , ,,,c,c
returned by tic trcehoGers Of Matthews; an, no petition
existed complaining n the Members holding hi. seat If the
investigation made, 1t oAst TO he in and after
proper ncce TO tho parties, and late in the SEES
sion send Matthews for cvitenrc To nrovc ,h,, Az p
was Minister of tho Gospel.
MI Craig opposed the motion. II important, he sa id
that the enquiry should he whether or no, Mr. r. was
Minister of the Gospel. II wise law enacted by
uicatlers that Church State should he kpp, soma,
rate and which oug, be evac 1.-THE riyh, of
any member to his doubted, enquiry into the facts
ought tn be made. The Constitution requires it. and the
Committee ought not TO be discharged from the nyesi-a
| be disrtga rted. ~
MIR. Davis advocated the motion. The mere success
uon mat Member of the liuuse ineligible was
not sufficient cause of investigation into the fact, He
Said lie believed Mr. Billups Minister of the Cos
pei but the Constitution gave the right To the peope to de-
'crmine the fact The House had the power to ac, on
the case The Consution, unlike that of the u States
only the Legislatures the newer of nakinc Their
rules OF proceeding; aud TIM, power could not give the
right ct enquiring into the ineliby Member elect
ed by the people, aud regularly returned this power
were exercsed,it would lead endless ENQUIRIES The
House, he conceived had right judge The Cons,itu
ton or the law in coniraver,ion Of the will people,
The people the best guardians of rights and he
iaeught II impolitie in tire House with them
MIR Gholson said the subject of great imppan nee
He thought surprising that Committee should ask
TO ne dIsr irsed from the Further sub
Ject, after having far into the minaon it,
Something more tina" suggestion had been made that Mr.
B. was Minister Of the Gospcl-a person had been sent
from the County To testify to the facts of the |! au
individual suggests the ine;igiby OF Member the House
was bound to listen 10 the application. To would
be TO violate the fundamental laws Of the laud
Mr. Smyih Of w yth said the House had the mower 10
investigate the right Of Member retain his seat He
advocated the opreiy of making the investigation in the
case of Mr. Bilups lie cited the of Henry Banks
who was returned Member thirty years ago. oused
by the House rs Ineligible He then young man nd
young lawyer and ,housh the House acted crroueously.
but on deliberations had changed his opinion.
Mr. Tyler sai,! il was due Mr. Biuos and to In,
house that enquiry should be made his eligibility to
a this floor. He rppelicd the idea of Mr. Davis
that the house had no right To make investigation as tn
the eligibility of q member, after election bv the pen-
pie All violations OF the constitution and the laws o,,rh,
to he rnquihd into; unless this is done, the peo
pile they ARE the proper exponnders of the constitution.
lie conceived that the constitution and the election law
la the house tie power of determining the right
ea5cr ~ retain his seat and if this power yielded
goes into the hands OF the people whom il does not f
9igNt belong. Whether election made the people is
contested mi, r house had te right investigate the
eligibility OF member: unless this done, Judges and
Mnistefso the Gospel might be returned members
retain ihe in violation of the constitution and the
law Mr. Davis he said, had expressed his belief thar Mr.
i'ups was nrnlbet OF the Gospel and yet unwl-
Ling examine tito the facts, because person had
tested The election II such acquesced in,
pspabe violations OF the constitution law might in
many cases he permitted 10 exist.
Mr.. DaEs replied briefly Mr. Tyler and Mr.. Sn1yth
He said he veneraed as much as any the constitution
ana was equally opposed violation q
case Ike the presents Thought the people had the power
and ought exercise the right of expouung ns,r,
men In thu OF Banks referred by gentleman
from Wythc he said the house night erroneous
liz and the gentleman himself NIGH, tcn have been right
lie repeated his belief that proposed enquiry was CON
iGay TO the laws OF the land, and therefore opposed
to it.
MIR. Watkins of Prince Edward made few remarks in
reply 10 Mr. Davis he contrnde tina, tie house the
power of Judging OF the qualifications own members
and had exercised the right.
Mr.. George referred the q M L.
MI iarrS,n u Mayfair, who declared, ,l,ey were prose.
cutting ainTnies for the Cnnm"nw ealih and gouud
ousie from their by the house MIR. Davis said that
Ar.9tevenson rase was bodgh; before the House by
memorial from Mr.. Minor.
Mr. George replied that there tue
last
The question ;hen taken, AMI the House refused to
dscha &c the committee by large aio,iiy.
The Speaker laid before the House co.rnuuca ton
from the Auditors transmitting the unsettled balances
standing the book, which ordere, be printed.
MI Saunders moved that the House take resolution
for changing the time Of citing the Gcne Assem-
bly,, which was decided in the negative.
On morton of Mr. Wilson leave was given to bring il
billie change the time Of rlng the Courts Brooke
On motion of Mr. Mason of Brooke rule of the iInuse
suspended for the purpose, aid he presented petit
lion from The Clerk of Hampshire.
The Speaker laid before the House communication from
the Governor relating TO Military Lands in Kentucky
On motion Of MIR. Paeson of Il. the report and resolu-
tons of the Pcmitcn'iary Committee taken up After
some remarks on the part of Mr.. Patteson of B. Mr.
Watkins of Prince Edward and Mr.. Epps on the merits
motion Of MIR. Wilson laid on The table.
MIR. RuIner moved that the bill concerning the inspec
ton of salt he taken which agreed to aud the hill
then recommi,icd.
Mr.. Gordon stated TO the House that ne had received Il
petition from number Of inhabitants OF Albrmarie
the subject of The bust Of Mr.. Jefferson beqteaIeh by
the Library of the University. In consequence the
SuicicnCy Of MIR. Jriersons pay his debts the
bust could be given that destination desired, with
the inerposion nf the Legislature. Tie petition was
referred To- the Committee Of Schools and Colleges.
The eugrosed bill concerning the Richmond Dock Com
pany, read tbiid time aud passed
variety of reports and rcsouiicus were made from tie
committees aid laid on the table
YFsTEEDAY-A communication from The Senate stated /
they had passed the bills, Amending the several laws
concerning the appointment Of hafbor masters and
ing their duties g Designating with greater certainty the
county line between Monroe aud Giles.
hI Giles to call the attention Of the ouSc 10 Sc
yeral subjects Of urgent Necessity. lie regretted So
much Of the session expended. The propositions lie
was about submit had been prepared before the Session.