Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-10-22


iegates. he did not sessthat such a difficulty
could arise from the rule
In c few minutes, twas moved 10 take up
the rifles COR consideration, and carried.
The rides were tilsn taken up and read IN
succession; no question being put on them,
separately, by the president, unless some mo
fion y,4s made, 30 amend. Such motion was
made by Messrs Leigh, Dodd1dse, Stanard,
Marshall, and Alexander. One OF these no
tons went TO admit the members of The general
assembly. as well as the judges and members
of the executive, aud such other persons as
the president might invite. within the bar of
the house Tias amendment was accepted.
Another amendment was proposed by MIR.
Leigh and accepted, viz in the 9th rule TO
strike out the words sin The eUent Of 1chieh he
Is iHausdotsig Interested and to substitute
the words, '.t3usAiag l.is stcn conduct or rights
a,td privileges rs Inensbar Of this coecentioa."
The rules being thus read through and a
monded, the question on adopting them was
thcn carried IN the affirmative.
SIR Doddridgc then moved that the journal
of the convention be printed in the octave
form-which was agreed to without objection.
Oa MIR. MERGERS motion, the act OF the last
legislature, (of Feb. 10th, 1929 for catting
81 convention. was also directed to be printed.
The convention then adjourned.
F.gdsei, Oct. 3.
Mr. Fitzhuch, with a view OF hying under
tn" law the compensation of the officers OF the
convention, submitted the following resou-
tion
itesolped, That committee be appointed
Ia inquire and report the compensation pro
per TO be allowed to the several officers ap-
pointed by this convention.
This resolution was agreed 10 without oppo-
sition--and the president appointed the fol-
fnr nfa viz.
Mcssrs Filzhugh, Loyal, Stanard, Barbour,
of Orange, and Bayly.
On MFR Doddridge's motion, the report Of
the committee of tteeatytour was taken up
without opposition.
The resolutions being read at the clerks
table, MIR. Mercer rose to say, that he would
wait until the gentleman from Norfolk (Mr
TazewelD had offered his substitute for the
report, before he himself would submit bis own
two resolutions additional TO those of the re-
port: it would be tirne enough to perfect the
resolutions when the convention had disposed
OF the substitute.
Mr. Tazewell remarked, that he would
have prefcrre1 the resolutions TO be perfected,
before he submitted his own substitute. He
would. however, waive such a suggestion, IL
the friends of the resolution were satisfied to
proceed: he would, therefore, submit his sub
stitute, (which proposed to refer the whole
constitution to "A committee of the whole. -
Mr r. then proceeded to support his resolu-
ton: he stated, that it would expedite the
proceedings of the convention, whereas, the
other plan. BY referring the different subjects
to committees would hang them up and de-
lay the proceedings. He contended also, that
they ~oaid not proceed at all, until the tegis-
lathe committees had reported, as the organ
zation OF the other departments would depend
upon that branch: and the difficulties would
be still further enhanced if the proposition
of the gentleman from Loudoun (Nlr. MERCER
to assign the right of suffrage and the basis
of representation to distinct committees, were
adopted. Was there not also some danger,
that the different committees would make diff
ferent and eiashing reports? The legislative
committee, for instance, may report against
the veto of the exeeuhye-and yet while go
ing on committee Of the whole, upon this re
port, the executive committee may report in
favor of it. win not this be productive of
great confusion in the proceedings-;tnd clash
ing Of parliamentary queshonsP He called
the attention of the convention to the long o.
peration of the present constitution, for 81
years, and the service it has rendered; was it
right then, to cut this constitution into pie
ces? Is this the way 10 command the conf
dence of the people, SC.
Mr.. Mercer replied He remarked that
Mr.. aZeW2U haU not aubereu To the PROPOSE
tons which he had laid down II this question
were (as Mr.. I. had stated it) only one offorn,
why did he appeal TO the character of the pre-
sent constitution. and the services which it
bad rendered. Mr. L. seemed 10 have treat
ed the constitution as an organized body
which the convention was about TO cut to pie
ces. But the truth was, that his (Mr. Ms
plan would treat the constitution with true
respect He attempted TO show that the dis
tributon of the provisions of the constitution
was the best mode Of treating the subject
that as soon as one committee had reported,
the convention might proceed to discuss its
report, and if two committees should report
different provisions on the same subject, as
forinstance the veto, what Jury would result?
The house would not reconsider the same
provision, which it had already decided-and
all that would be lost, would he the time of
one of its committees. The convention should
proceed step by step, proposition by PROPOSE
ton. If Mr. It's argument be true THAT you
cannot decide upon one part till the others are
eXurined.) even the convention itself would
not be able to decide upon different parts of
the constitution IN succession. IL they 90 in
to committee of the whole, with the unlimited
power Of debate, the proceedings might be
SPA olt TIL the depth of the next winter,
when w. shall break up in mutual discomfort
&c
Mr. Randolph called for the ayes and noes
M. IozcwoIls substitute was rejected by the
following vote: