Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-12
RICHMOND. FEB. IL.
THE CONVENrIoN BlII-nnzxed


suspense oil four ceets. More zeal and Ia
lent were perhaps never ELECTED in the Legsla-
ture OF Sirgina-und II the Debate occasionally |
struck out some sparks of anger and resentment, !
yet, considering the deep interests involved in the
local divisions Of the Commonwealth, and the !
struggles for power or for right, which it effected.
the discussion has gone OIL with as little il! feel
ing as could reasonably have been expected.
The zeal OF the members has never aged
he political drama has kept up its interest TO the
very last scenes. The number who voted on the |
hna passage Of the bill in both Houses is perhaps
unexainpled.-On Monday last, when the bill !
passed the Senate, all tho "a members were in |
their scats-the vote then, was II TO Y.-On Tues
day, in tue House OF Delegates. POI members
were i'll attendance out Of 2l5-and though fuc
sets of Ayes and Noes were taken, not a man
deserted his seat during the day. the POT were
still to DO found side or the other-And
thus 1t appears, that out OF Legislature of 239
members, eight only were detained from their
seats, by absence by ndisposi,ion-a proof OF
that deep interest excited by the subject, which is
perhaps without example in our Legislative An
mails.
On the final vote in the House of Dciee ates,
The great struggle there, it had been in the
Senate, was as to the extent of the compromise
which was to be effected. The West claimed the
basis Of the of lS20-the East went generai
Iy Tor that Of l6l0.-1he West said they Welded
enough Of their rights in not going for the free
white population OF lS29-The East said that they
yielded some OF their opinions and interests, as
regarded the counties or slave population. by
hnai vote in the IL. of ID. we believe the whole
delegation 10 the West Of the Blue Ridge went
against the basis oFlSl0; aud they were Joined by 10
or IL Of the Delegates 10 the East, most of whom
were IN favor CT the county or the federal repre-
sena,ion.
We know of no article. which can be more in
teresting to our readers, at this time than the
-1cf itself as it has passed the Legislature We
now lay it before them; and it will best explain its
own provisions IL adopts the arrangement Of the
present Senatorial law. The districts are laid of
according to the free white population, of the cen
sus of 1910. Each of the t,centy fur Districts is
to have four Represenatives-th making Con
vention OF ninefy-SiI members. The right of yo,-
ing - limited 10 the Freeholders- and their right
oil selection ID at large, without any Imitation
Ihey may travel out CT their county, or out Of
their district 10 the remoiest verge OF the Com
monwealth. They may take any white man.
whom they please. Without regard to his posses
sions, his Office or his domicile. They are en- this
subject as ire: as the air they breathe and most
earnestly 10 be hoped that they will exercise the
soundest discretion Of enlightened freemeu
The election Of Representatives is to be on the
cour.days OF May next-io give the people suf-
cient time to look about for proper and discreet
inen-Ihe Convention is to meet on the ,st Mon
day of October in this Ciiy.-The new Cons,itu-
tion is TO- be submitted to the people at the Spring
polls OF iS5o-and II majority should declare for
ATS ratification, the Executive then TO call to-
gether the Legislature, for the last time under the
present Constitution, TO put the new government
into full operation Thus may have a rapid
sucCeSslcn Oh CeHpeTatlye bodios-a COnye ntiOn 10
me autumn--one Leg laturc during the next
Winter, Ios,iby another in the Summer, & 1er-
has third in the Winter OF 1850.
In exercising this solemn and sublime act of So
Vereisn'y; an act, which so peculiarly distinguish
es the Republic of the U. States fren the cations
nl the other hemisphere; i'll laying the foundations
oil government,wh is to watch over their dear
est interests and those of their poserity it is ear
nes,ly hoped that the scitizens OF Va viii approach
their labours with the calm and enlightened spirit
winch Is due to the importance of the occasion
hey have lao ordinary Legislature TO elect OF 2l5
mhers-But select Council OF their ablest men,
~: ;. 70 oe hoped that they viii place i'll requi-
siton tie most useful talents and the p,oovndest
wisdom oil the Commonwealth; that they will scout
down all the ordinary arts Of canvassing aud soli-
citation; and that the people will make their own
SELECTIONS, without regard 10 the overtures and
opportunities of protested candidates for their suf-
irages. Ii their own county does not furnish
suitable representative, why should they not look
INTO Inc next county, GOr one OF adequate quaiif-
cations! we hazard nothing in saying. that if
mere ever was an occasion ior putting all petty
considerations and county vanity under foot, no,9
is the time, and this is the occasion.
IAN ACT, TO ORGANIZE coNvEwTIoSJ
49,. lfdSSed, February 10Th, 1921
whereas, in pursuance OF the act of the Gene
raj Assembly, passed at the last Session, entitled
" An act concerning Convention" the sense of
me good people OF this Commonwealth has been
taken on the question, whether they desire
convention to amend the State Constitution, or
not; and it has been thus asceraipcd that il is the
wish oil the people that Convention shall be cali
ed Tor the purpose afore said-In ORDER thei efore
TO the forming and assembling OF such Conyen-
Gon
l. BE ii enacted, That the persons qualified
according to law to vote for members Of the House
Of Delegates, in each county, city, and borough.
within The several Senatorial Districts Of this Com
mohwealth, as at present established by law, shall
assemble at their respective Court-houses or 9TH
eT places appointed by law for holding elections OF
members OF the General Assembly on the several
Cour'-days oil each county, CITY and borough, COM
posing district, in the month of MAY in the year
OF our Lord one thousand eight hundred g. twenty
Line, and then and there vote for four discreet
and proper persons as members of the said Conyen-
tTun.
fhs persons authorized by law TO hold elections
ior members u the General Assembly, in each
county, city or borough, shall conduct the said
sIecHoh' a, whch no determination shall be had
by view; but each person qualified 10 vote shall
fairly and publicly vote, and the name of the va.
ter shall be duly entered under the name Of the |
person voted for, in proper poll books 10 be pro.
Vided by the officer conducting the election for !
which purpose he shall appoint so many writer's "a
no shall think fi., who shall respectively tale an
oath, to be administered by him, or make so!emnl
affirmation, that they will take the POLL fairly and
tmpartially-He shall deliver poll. book TO each
writer, who shall enter in distinct columns under
The names Of the persons voted for, the name of !
each elector voting for such persons.-Like pro. !
eamaton and proceedings shall be made and had, !
ior opening, conducting, continuing and closing the
Poll in each county, city and borough in district,
as IS prescribed by law in the election Of members
10 The General Assembly -ProcIamaton shall be
mace at the Courthouse door or at the place OF
holding such election, Of the persons having The
greatest number Of votes upon The poll OH tie clos.
ing thereof; and each eector shall be entitled TO