Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-01

Mr.: NICHOLAS replied to Mr.. McCor-and STATING
the Lieutenant Governor to be, politically non emit.
~ unless in case Of the Governors DEATH asked how
he could be his council, Ii he was TO bo ALWAYS
to act in of the Governors absence or death he
must always be the spot, and have a competent sa-
thing.
Mr. N. then read section of an act empowering the
Eoyern9r to supervise the Auditor, Treasurer Sc. and
70 ue"anu the advice OF the Attorney General
Mr.. LEIGH now took the floor in earnest defence of
the council as one Of the important features Of the
Constitution, tue preservation OF which was essential to
me peace Of the Commonwealth. He compared the
plans OF council whose advice the Governor shall be
Obliged to obtain, hen acting his own pom bity)
and council whose advice he might ask not at plea
sure; hs warmly defended the existing plan as cscu-
lated, L. TO divide the power Of Executive patronage,
so as to render il innocuous g. supply Governor
new IN thce mass of experience in the details Of po
lice, and OF information essential scharge
Of his duty 3, give him mature and recorded advice
on all his Official acs-advce he compelled to ask,
ana oy which he was usually governed, tho free to
he was willing TO risk the responsibility.
This last, he contended for as the vital principle Of
the present Executive SYSTEM He dvelt on the vir.
'ues which had adorned this counci the assiduty with
wheh they had attended TO their dutes and the hap
py effects TO the public peace which had grown out of
,his System for 81 years Not charge could be sub
stanated TO she usurpaon or ssion on this sub
ject he reiterated his challenge 10 the world
10 STAND ready Mt any moment TO and refue tho
charge He deprecated il as the very wantonness Of
innovation to destroy such institution, which had
continued through two in the xious period
oil the worlds history, without single act OF oppres-
sion; Could as much be said for any Executive ON
earth beside! lie adverted of their acts of ner-
cy IN pardoning crimnal-he thought they had
erred-but il was not to rich influential
delinquent, but poor despised slave. (Here he
quoted Sterne with happy eci) He earnestly pleaded
Tor the love OF heaven that the Committee would not
when in perfect, political health such
pertinent upon the happiness of the Common W ealth--
He concluded very mpassoned address by saying THAI
he felt bound to say thus much nstitutonhs
had always viewed next after the Freehold suffrage and
the happy system of county police the distinguish
ing excellence of tho Commonwealth. Give me .,;3 NJ
L. this plural Execuive-give lie neiphborIv trh,,
nails oil the County Court system, which Sriag Justice to
every mans door almost free Of expense-and give mo-
finally, the power of Government In the hands of the
independent yeonanry of the States and will DO con-
tent that you modify abolish all the rest at your plea
Mr. Mccoy explained in reply to Mr. BRopSAx.
who he thought, had treated his suggestion rather ca
valicrly.
Mr.. BRoDNAx explained in reply, disclaiminr IN.
least intentional disrcspect As close Mr. LEIens
appeal he promised dnecdote: and then referred to
the welknown epitaph,I wcll-seckng to be bet-
teri to'k physic-and here l ann
Mr. JOHNSON explained the grounds ON which he
mad voted against the proposition of Mr.. NICHOLAS
and should vote against it modified. He was
decidedly OF opinion that the Council now organized
ought to be abolished he would say that he should
never so vote under any circumstances but until
some plan should be proposed which his mind could
prefer.
Mr.. MERCER said, he for the first and last
time to make his protest against the assertion often
repeated that the friends of different organization or
some features of the Government, meant any tpanton
nnordfon in the existing Constitution: and against the
assertion made before and repeated that bee auss
specification of examples of the abuse of power h.
been brought forward that was therefore, TO be in
erred that gentlemen on his side of the House, dare
nor make the attempt He said thus much lest his 81
ience might be construed into acquescence in tho
truth OF such position
MIR. RANDOLPH then addressed the Committee near.
ly as follows:
was of opinion-bcfore came TO this assembly
that this species OF Legislation anomaly. 1 did
not expect find introduced here the practice which
obtains of
member-every noble Lord--representing his noble
scs at liberty to enter his protest the Journal Of
the iouse-against any thing he happens dsapproyc
don't know where the protest of the gentleman over
the way is intended TO be nscribed:--but nscribe IL
where he will,-there arc none who will remember il
Sir. l have been brought by experience,-and c,pe
ciaiy by recent observaion-to the conclu sion 70
which man OF sense aud reflection migbt have a.
rived priori,-thai of all the mechansis under the
u'i'a-nakers least understand their own
trade have giren-I think-to all the world
MAKE Cons,itution-but-I was almost about 10 saw
to tinker the old Constitution we have Sir am
wen satisfied that this Assembly has already ost,-and
Is day losing the confidence Of the People of Virginia
III becomes not me TO pas- euogum on the wisdom,
ana The worth OF many of those who compose --but
the truth is-that such is the wisdom of our ex,,;
orm OF "overnnent-that no proposition eau be brouehr
iprward win view 10 make an inroad upon it--that
can command respectable majrity:-when 1 saw re-
spectacle, refer OF course, 10 numbers only,-noi one
thar can get IN ITS favour respectable maoriiy,-
and yet, nothing short Of overwhelming majority
can reconcile the People Of Virginia any important
change in their fundamental law
did vote reluctantly for the proposition OF the gen-
ueman from Richmond but had almost risen from NV
seat to move to s;iike out The clause for abosng the
Council Ii has been better said than ain capable OF
saying it, that the lust Of innoyalion-for il is Iusf
mat Is The proper term for uAaw f desire-this Ist
OF innovaton-this iibid0 has been tho
death oil all republics. All OF sense ought t,
guard and warn their neighbours against it-Sjr s
b " u derp affection humiliation
al seeing This venerable fabric OF treat
od WIZ "a itIe ceremony in the receiver Of
a a'ural philosopher aud experimenter. There are
some things which ought 10 be changed. had lrop.d
we should at length have TO the source of the
Is 10 be found in The judicial Body lie
Is because OF the deay--ihe delay ad indefuHuu,--
i speak u with feelings the most respectful toward
those, and there are such-who have faithfully d.-
charged their duty But il il the of that f,iihtt
discharge OF it, in many which has brought all this
about. Sir, 1t is there ought TO apply the remedy.
But am going away from the point before the Com.
mittee.
rose to move, and when in order shall move vou
TO strike out the whole of the Resolution.
SIR our discussions here have brought 10 NV reco.
lection That beautiful apologize, or fable Of Ai.ons
"here he represents the whole hkman race sumon-
edh Wy Jupiter into one assembly-tbe God listens 10
ther various complaints, and then gives permission 10
each to lay down his own grievance and take ND apy
mat lie chose To select among those deposited by his
neighbours very handsome well made man lays
down disease under which he labours and taxes vn
the dcformity which hump backed m IN had throvn
off mother brings her undutiu son-a wife her
bad husband. husband comes with the shoe OF mi,
wife, and selects another partner who as he believes
will suit hin better. All were anxious 10 make tho
change, for is human nature sir to view all the mis-,
cries OF others as very easy 10 be endgredyes sir