Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-22
RICHMOND, TUESDAY, DECENBER "a.
SCENES IN The CONVENTION.

SCENES IN THE CONVENTION.
The proceedings in the Convention on Saturday last,
occupy nearly the hro,dsid. of this days paper besides
pages OF the Extra whch accompaniment. We were
unwilling TO mutilaie it--aud we knew no better
mode OF spreading before readers results of per-
haps the most emorable day OF this proacted Conven-
lion.
II wa. intese'ting many accounts. The "all-ab-
sorbng question of the Basis OF Representation came
up again TO be decided. The ayes and noes were call
ed seven times during the day. The question assum-
ed variety of forms. The sense of the Convention
was tried on Mr. Lsighs scheme of representation-N
tried the plan OF the Federal Basis in the H. OF
Delegates, and the White Basis in the Senate-It was
tried on the mixed basis in the H. Of d., and the fed
eral basis in the Senate:-on the plan of taking Mr.
Gordons appor,onnentor the present, and prospec-
tive re-apportonment in the year 1871, and every 20
years thereafter, founded the number Of free white
inhabitants for the H. OF d. and the federal basis for
the Senate. But, all these propositions were lost and
the last by equal division of all the
IS to 4sAni finally the only proposition for the Basis
Of Representation, which found to unite MAORI
ty Of votes, Mr.. Goron's revolution which adopt
ed no specified basis and provided for no
aPporionment.-This resolution prevailed by ma
jori,y of Ia votes.
But what made this day still more interes sting yere
the Speeches which were delivered just before the
vote was taken--As the chair in the act of pro.
pounding the question, Dir. Cooke OF Frederick arose TO
address the House. He give his reasons at large
for voting for Mr. Gorlon'S re Soudon-e was followed
an the same side by Ar. Henderson of Loudoun-The
speeches of these gentlemen this day laid before
our readers and they will best speak Tor Themselves.
But transfer 10 this paper the earnest and
emphatic and eloquent manner with which they pour
ed forth their seniiments-Few are the scenes which
during this Convention have Hal -, A.,
intensity OF feelings that it produced. The speeches
Of Messrs Cooke and Henderson, successfully called up
Messrs Thompson, johnson, and Mercer-and the re.
marks OF Mr. Mercer called up Mr.. Upshur--and some
scenes were developed to the House, which had been
exhibited elsewhere and which to have afTe ced
in slight degree the Poce edngs OF the Convention
itseiE-The House did not adjourn till after sun set
having proiraced their session nearly hours.
Yesterday. new scheme for future apportionmcnt,
founded the basis of qualified voters was presented
by Mr.. Stuart, laid upon the table and cred to be
printed.-Aier having passed through the remaining
resolutions OF the Legislative Committee the Chair passed
to the Executive Report. The LIST amended resolu-
ton, which up from the Committee of the Whole
directs the election of the Governor by the Legislature
Mr.. Mercer proposed to elect him by the People-Ths
amendment prevailed by majority of 4 votes.-A De-
bate next on, upon proposition constitute con-
troulng Executive Council OF three members
The motion failed, by tic Of the House--and the
the resolution itself for appointing Lieutenant Govern
Or in the same manner as the Cove also lost
From the Debate which took place these two pro-
positions, it seemed sufficiently Obvious that the fate of
Mr. MERGERS proposition had been affected by the basis
OF representation gentleman at least declaring thai
since the vote of Saturday favor of Mr.. Gordons re-
solution, he had determined to give the election of Co
to the People and another declaring that since
Ne lae I,,,
to give the Governor Executive Council-And thus
is, that the "aabsorbng question it has been too
truly called is found mixing itself up with so maiy
other questions We shall give these proceedings, at
large, in our next paper.
SKETcH or PROCEEDINGS or THE Convention
SATURDAY. Dec. 10
The Convention met at II o'clock and was opened
with prayer by the Rev. Mr Hoerner of the Catholic
Church.
The question which came up in order from yester.
day was on the adoption Of Mr.. UPsHURs resolution
~ amended by Me GoRDoN On .ub>tance, the plSn
~ NJ. GORDoN, nothing Of Me- UPsHUR's being re-
sined boz ne word Re.o'vcd:') but the house not
being yet full, IL suspended f,r the present. and
ne Cnnv@tin" proceeded tn the confederation of the
6hr-eoln'irn Of the Legislative Committee which IL
IN the woods fjllowing, IL:
"Res0rcd That no person !ht to b. elected a mem
Der III S-nae Of this State who |. not al leas thirty
years ~ age"
Mr.. GoRDo n moved t. amend the resolution by strik.
ing out 80, and inserting 25.
On this motion, Mr. CHAPMAN demanded The Yeas
and Nays. They wee ordered by the House, and be.
ing taken stood as folIows
yeMessrs Barbour, tPcsdcn Jones' Leigh and TAYLOR of
Chesterfield Giles, Bodnax, Dromgooe exande tooe Mar
Of s. Claiborne, Urquha Randolph, Leigh Of IT, Logan Vena
BILE, Henderson, Obofne Gfggs Mason Of F. Nayor
Campbell Of W. Roaue, Taylor Of Carr Morris Chapnin Oslss
by, Morgan Tazowe Loyal Pentis, Ggssy, Campbell Bed
Saunders, Caboil, stuart, Gordon aud Bayy-1G.
Noss.Messrs. Cofuan williamson Baldwin Johnson MCoy
Moore Boine smith, BAXTER Tfezvant Madison tanar1 lloa
day Mercer fzhug Cooke, Powell Boyd Pendeton George
MMan, Byats 'snme, Coyd Mathews Duncan I.aidley sum
See Doddge, Campbs Of Brooke, Wilson Barbour
Scott, Macac Green Coyto Branch Townes Martin Peasants
THOMPSON Mrsso, Bates, Nose Rose Coulter Joyncs Upsbu
and Perrn--50.
So the amendment was rejected And the resolo
ton. az reported, was agreed TO
the House next took up the 7lh resolution which il
in the following words:
Res0ived, That person ought n ue elected
member Of the House OF Delegates OF this State who
is no, at least twenty-five years OF age I"
The question being Pot without deba'e the re soiu-
tion was agreed 10, Ayes So.
The House heing now full and every member In
his place. on motion Of Mr.. FfTzHUGH. the Conyen.
fion returned 70 he " all absorbing question" Of The
bas n representations and me question being substsn
tally, on the following nan (noved by Mr. GonDoN
- an smenfDen 70 Mr.. UPsHrR's by way Of substi.
pf) viz;