Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-10-24
THE COMMITTEES.


THE COMMITTEES
THUssspAY, ncroBER 90.
In the Legislative Committee, Mr. Doddridgc offered
an amendment Ito come in before the provso) fourth
qualification OF persons entitled to the Right of Suffrage;
going in substance to admit to that right the of free
holders.
1t opposed by Mr.. Johnson who thought that the
sons Of feehodcrs the very last class Of the com
munity, who had Alright TO complain of exclusion from
the polls
MIR. Mercer proposed to amend the amendment, so as
to extend the right TO the of house keepers &C.
which he defended the principle that their sons resi-
dent in their native country, had the interest with
their fathers in the well-being of the Community.
Mr.. Doddridge accepted the amendment Of Mr.. Mer-
modification of his own, which he afterwards
withdrew, and offered Mr.. MERGERS a substitute.
Mr. johnson thought the amendment in this form still
more Objectionable than il was before.
Ii was defended by Messrs. Doddridge and Mr. Nor
GER on the ground that the of had the same
sort OF expecance as TO their parents property, that tho
son of frechodsr had, though in less degree Mr.
M insisted that education preferable to wealth as
basis for the Right Of Suffrage.
Mr. Brodnax considered the proposition equivalent
TO universal suffrage; nay as going, If possible, still far
ther III the sons were to vote expectation why not
grand sons! and why not nephews and nieces.
Mr.. Joynes took the same ground. Were all the
oil man who owned HORSE and paid tax Of 10 cents
upon it, to be thereby entitled to vote! and why not the
sons OF widow! He preferred the knot at once
aud allow every body TO vote 81 years.
Mr.. Mercer replied and referred to equal anomalies
In the existing rule of suffrage, by which, in some
cases, one man owning hundred exclud-
WING anolner owning 20, permitted
lie wished to see the plan adopted which is pursued in
Massachusetts,, viz to have registration made OF quail
fled voters, and exclude all others.
After some further remarks from Mossrs. Doddrdge
and Broinax, the amendment was ost--Ayes 3
Mr. Doddridgc then offered another resolution, ex-
tending the former principle quite far. which was
also rejected--Ayes z:
He thereupon offered third resolution still more re
shcted.
IN H. Wehave endeavoured to procure copies Of
these resolutions, but without SUGGEST
lr. heD A fl
Propided, however, That the said right of suffrage
not rghuly belonging to- shall be ex ercised by
any person belonging TO any of the following
to wit:
l Paupers;
Persons convicted OF any infamous offence; the
enumeration OF such offences 10 be made by law;
8. Citizens born without the limits Of the Common
wealth. unless they shall have resided within the limit.
OF the same or hve years Immediately preceding the
eiecon al which they shall offer vote the mode OF
proviug such previous residence when disputed 10 he
prescribed by law) and shall possess moreover some
one o more OF the qualifications above enumerated;
T. Those who shall have been returned dlinquent by
the collectors OF any tax, levy or other debt
due TO the Commonwealth, TO the local authorities
established by law for the purposes Of internal police;
o. Soldiers, seamen marines in the service Of the
United Sites or of this Comrnonw ealtb except com
missioncd officers possessing some one or more of IN
qiialiiicat ions above enumerated.
MIR Cooke now offered the following as an additional
restriction TO he added 10 those jus, adopted viz:
. Or by those who have failed to pay, in the yenr
Immediately preceding any election, any revenue tax
levy or other debt due 10 The Commonwealth TO the
local authorities, established by law for the purposes Of
internal police"
The resolution having been varously modified wa.
opposed ny MIR John'on anil hnaly rejected, ayes A
MIR Cooke then proposed a. another disqualification,
the having been born from, without the limit. of the
State, unless the voter had resided within the State for
me sst hve years. or within his own county elscto
raj district Tor the last two years
mendmcnt:
'Or by citizens from without the limits of the Com.
"a n,la ft.a.o t,.1l
limits OF the for Eve years Immediately
the election at which they shall offer to vote and two
years immediately preceding such election in the comn
w. city, borough election district when they shall Of
ier to vote, (the mode of proving such previous resi-
dence when disputed, TO be prescribed by law and
shan profess moreover, some ons OF the quaIif
cations above enumerated"
CENSUS
mr Dod'lridge now offered resolution, Requiring
Census to be taken of the population the State in
100 ana once 10 every - years thereafter.
nittee : -
Mr. Mercer's proposition was 10 have censu. in
1881; again in 1886 aud every ten years hereaerso
as 10 ia into the intervals he the periods at ch
the census oil the United States is taken.
MIR. Johnson's proposal was, 10 take the census in
1881; again IN 1886 and after that, in every TWEEN
" years; un lessthe Legislature should fix upon slor.
ter period
Mr.. Doddridgs modified hi. resolution, so a. to re-
qure The census 10 be taken in 1885, again 1885, and
alter that At such periods the legislature should de-
ternine; provided census should be taken at eas,
once in every ten years.
Mr.. Mercer withdrew his propo.iiion and The aues-
uon being taken on that OF Mr. Doddridge, the votes Of
NE Committee were equally dviJed whereupon, Mr..
Madison voted in the negaive, and the resolution was
rejected.
That offered by Mr.. Johnson was then carried with.
out opposition.
MIR Townes nov called IN The resolution Cerne,Jv
offered ny him in the words following:
Hcs0iued, That ts assent Of two thirds of the mem
oers each branch Of the Legislature shall be
requisite TO every bill spproprising the public monies
or properly Tor local or private purposes creating
continuing altering, renewing. any body polite or
corporate or Tor authorizing any loan Of money OH the
public credit
Mr. L. modified The resolution by inserting the worJs
Roads or Canals" and briefly advocated it, as going 10
furnish some guarantee against the abuse OF power.
III was opposed by Messrs. Duddridge and Mercer az
throwing power into The hands of minority 10 con-
uoI me majority, though twice as numerous: power
which, IN time Of war, might be hazardous 10 The pub
nc safety; and which, tried in the New York lie
gsstnre, instead Of preventing the multiplication of
roads caoals and corporate companies had on the con
trary, greatly increased them all.
TIE resolution was del, nied by Messrs Towne. and
Mason, but rejected Ayes q, noes 49,
On motion OF Mr. Johnson, the follow ing clauses IA.
adopted mem ron -
FesoiDed fba' private propcry ought not 10 be taken
Tor psbdc u'es, wihoU just compensation
lesoiped That no bill Of aiainder or cr po1 focfo
Jaw, Or 't~ affecting the validity Of contracts to
Mr.; johnson then called up the following heretofore
ResoiUed, Thd The legislative power being intended
cT II