Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-22


ever repugnani il was, he thought they ought now
TO concentrate on the next plan which Increased
their representation. He here went into the
same calculation he had made the day before 10
shew, that by Congressional Districts, the west
would gain, as well as the middle country, and
that the lower country would lose. He confessed
that there would be sacrifice OF principle in
doing this, but it Was better than county repre-
sentaton.
In reply to the remarks of Mr.. Christian that
the members ought to speak the sentiments OF
their constituents, Mr.. W. sid, il amounted TO no
more nor no less than than this, that the majority
In that House. representing minority OF the peo-
pie were willing to have Convention but not up
on grounds acceptable TO majority of the people;
but according the views and wishes ofthat minority
only TWAS plain he said that the object was to de-
feat Convention altogether. Mr.. w. said that a fe "
days ago MIR. c. had said he had no particu lar pre-
ference Tor County representation. All that he
wanted was, that property should be secured
Yet when Mr.. Rutherfoord's proposition was dis
posed OF. Mr.. c. voted against il, altho' it was
based upon property and persons. He thought
The East and the West could well trust 10 the
other department of the legislature, the Congress
sional system, as the County one.
Mr.. Everett called for the Ayes and Noes
On Mr.. Terrelrs motion some verbal amend
me ts were made.
Mr.. Allen, of Preston, moved to amend SO as 10
strike out the provision which restricted the right
OF voting for members to the Convention to free
holders only, and toinsert a provision permitting
all free white persons over 81 years SC. to vote.
MIR. Terrell said he would vote against this pro-
position; not because he was opposed to the ex.An-
ion OF the right OF suffrage; but because he thought
the Legislature had nothing 20 do with the subject
representing as they did the freeholderg, and be-
ing called upon by them for the facilities Of going
into a Convention.
Mr.. VIM land Mr.. Holland both took the same
ground with Mr.. Terrell.
MIR. Smith OF kanawha, said that he was in IA
vor OF the propositions; but he could make an apoI-
0gy which he thought would be acceptable to the
whole House-The West he said were in favor of
the extension OF the right Of suffrage, with some
exceptions. On the contrary all the advocates OF
the county system were opposed to il. Now
said he, let us put this odious feature in the bill
and he doubted whether the county gentlemen
would stand by it.
Mr.. Brown of Harrison, said, that the question
was, not whether the House could extend the
right OF suffrage, but whether they could restrict
Mr. Mason, of Frederick, did not entirely con-
cur with Mr.. Brown. He was in favor of the extern
sion OF the right OF suffrage but rot of unlimited
suffrage. His general principle was that i'm franz
ing government all ought 10 be admitted 10 a
participation who could be admitted, without dam
ger to the rest. The present call was from the
ireehoiders, and he doubted whether the House
ought to admit others to participate witkou, fur
ther instructions from their constituents The
SUBJECT oil the extension OF the right of suffrage
was one for the Convention TO act upon The
" n.an
not doubt but that it would be done ifit shouId
not be, it would cause the new constitution 10 he
rejected by the people.
Mr.. Allen said that he had learnt then. for the
hrst hine' that he did not represent the whole
Tree white population OF the State Whpn ca.
clety was resolved into its original elements were
not the members OF il equal! Who had the right
TO restrict or limit that equality? Such princi
pie would be aristocratic, and he called on those
who bad denounced Aristocracy 10 saw whether
X not, and -
possible he asked that constitution could bind
those who were not parties to iii?
MIR. Doddrdge said he fully concurred with Mr..
AHen' In TACT, he said, that the amendment of
script.
The question was then taken, and Mr.. Aliens
amendment was negatived, ayes 81, noes III.
L See 9Th Column.
MIR. Eppes remarked that the substitute went on
the ground that the government was in the hands
oil The lreeholders, who were alone 20 be concern.
ed IN the scheme OF reform. Tie Committee of
the Whole as he had understood had yoted an A.
mennment which excluded all but free holders
from seat in the Convcnton-Was such lie ask
ed yet the Interpretation Of the bill? Ifit,yas p
Mr. r, intimated an intention TO offer such an a.
nendment.
Mr.. Terrili thought the bill bore that cons,rus.
ton.
MIR Parker, Of n. hoped ihatthc arnenau,en, on
this subject would be explicit, as to what persons
should be excluded. II it was the intention of tho
House TO admit the Judges, well and pooa--Jle
was disposed to exclude them. jIe tlo,lsbt thcv
hau 100 inucn INTEREST," IN The present state of things
so lar rs related 10 their own department, of H.
goyernment.-Iie thought all officers of povcrn
ment ought TO he excluded and perbaps cvcn tbc
members OF that body.--Hc thought some restr;c
ton should be imposed to exclude foreigners and
citizens Of other States ~"
MIR. Christian thought, that the freehoI,i,rs
would take care OF their interest and ought not
10 DC restricted in their choice The restriction now
suggested, he said, would exclude toe large y nor
ton oil talented and virtuous citizens
MIR. Miller, OF Powhatan, insisted that The free.
holders ought to he left free in every respect thew
ought not even 10 he restricted az to the place
OIL residence OF their representatives in Convention
The hour of Adjournment having arrived, the
House adjourned on motion OF Mr.. Smith OF K
SmugGHng.-"T Free Trade Advocate of
the l1h instant, commenting OF the smuggling
winch results from the present exorbiiant duties
states that 6 an intelligent merchant Of this city
tPhiiadeIpha has lately expressed TO us his entire
conviction, that large quantities IF Smuegied
DooHen cloths are already in the markets of or
cities The Editor confidently predicts, tlIat
The very persons who were not satisfied with fGu
per cent duty, will regret that they had not been
content with thirty"
Can ilic friends OF The Coalition cxpect J1,re iib-
crafty than they award 10 their opponents: II they
make party politics test in their own case can
they look ior any dispensaiion from the same rule
on the part OF their opponents? IT they I'LL every
office, where they have the power, with Adams
men, are the Jackson people to nete out different
measure TO themf They put out Jackson incutn-
bent, to put in Coalition Candidates; thew ,u,st
RIjgely, 10 fill his place with Clayton; they are
attempting to supply every vacancy, which occurs
IN the senate, with their own men; aud TO plant
there, II possible, the lever OF Opposiiion how
th ell, can they eXpsCt that Cen. .,J IL.