Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-12-03
gstrgiIia Gouoentt on.



,,on Of 1ha Substitute offered by Mr.. Plea
~.nts. to the resolution of the Legislative
Committee. as TO the basis for the Senate.
The question being on the motion made by
Mr.. Isr,,dnax to increase the Senate TO D.
Dir Baylv of Accomac, moved the number
40. aud adircssed the Committee at some
len tn in favor Of the proposition, and on tie
cSnsiitit alton and powers of tie Senate, gene
ralig.
AIr Baldwin indicated his wish that the
Cgrgiiitee would pass by The various mo
tens TO fix the numbers Of the Senate, In or
der that he might move 10 amend the sUbstl
taic offered by Mr.. peasants, by the words,
that ia the superintendent OF representation,
tic House of Delegates shall he based on the
free white basis" and the Senate on federal
numbers, and stated his object TO be 10 unite
the consideration Of both propositions. MIR
Mercer made few observations in lis favor.
Mr. Leigh Of Chesterfield, concurred in the
hope that the course would be taken. not for
TIE object mentioned, but that the censidera-
ton Of The whole subject might be postponed
for lew days, ia order to give him tine for
maturing scheme ia which he hoped ali
sides of the House would concur. Mr.. Coal
ter addressed the committee at length, and
expressed lbs wish that the motion 10 pass by
might prevail. MIR Baldwin then withdrew
his motion Mr.. Gordon promising the soil
citlde lie felt at the state OF things, has anXi
ety to sec IL adjusted, and stating that he
eolld not vote for the substitute offered by
his colleague (sir. Pleasants) read new
plan Of representation in the Legislature and
of compromise, which he proposed to offer al
proper time. This plan avoided the ques-
tion q the character Of the basis, by ail0tting
tixed portions Of representation in both Hou
ses, 20 certain geographical divisions; and IS
briefly that The country west Of the Blue
Ridge shall have 10 senators, the country
east of it, H. The House of Delegates 10
consist of i2O, of which the trans Allegheny
TO have 30, the valley 81, the country between
the Blue Ridge and tide 81, the country be-
low tide 80: giving 30 members TO the trans
montana. and 10 TO the montana country.
Mr.. Gordon laid his projef on the table for
consideration, when the question was put on
Mr. Baldw,n's motion who had renewed it,
To pass by tn question Of representation, and
carried afiirmaiveiy, ayes 81. Mr.. Broad
max then proposed TO take up the report Of
the Executive Committee, but ii was mega
lived Mr. Broadnax then moved 10 take up
the Sth resolution of the Legislative Commit
tee, requiring the voting ia the Legislature
Except in the election OF oifcers) TO be eiea
cocc The resolution was accordingly taken
up, when Mr.. Rroadnsx moved to substitute
At, by requiring that all elections made by the
General Assembly Except of his own oHicers)
be bv rioa roce Mr. g. subsequently mod
fed bis substitute, by striking out the ercep-
lion Mr. Claytor, while he approved the
principle of cica rcce voting generally. object
ed 10 striking the exception relating to the
election of officers OF the Legislature, from
the substitute Mr. Broadnax spoke for some
time in favor of enforcing vird goce voting IN
all cases MIR. Johnson concWrcd generally,
IN the superiority OF ciea roce voting, over the
mode by ballot, but was opposed TO imposing
it as a duty on the Legislature, thus 10 elect
IFS own officers. The question recurring on
permitting Mr.. Broadnax to modify his reso-
luton by striking the exception from it, Mr.
Randolph hoped IN common courtesy, She
privilege would be extended to- him, and sup
ported the superiority of cies coce voting in
all cases. Mr.. Clayton disclamed the dispo
sition of being wanting in Parliamentary
courtesy; when, after some remarks from
Mr. johnson and MIR. Broadnax, the latter
withdrew his request to modify by striking
out the exception, and the question being Ia
ken on striking out the exception, it was car
ried in the affirmative MIR. Clayton then
moved TO amend the substitute by reinstating
the exception, 0hat IS, that all legislative
elections shall be by viva voce, except those
of officers of the House,) and Mr.. Scott Sc
conded the motion, when the question was
put, and the motion to amend rejected
AYES 43-noes az. Mr.. Broadnax's substi-
tute was then carried by a large majority.
The ninth resolution of the Legislative
Committee, guaranteeing religious liberty, be-
ing next read, Mr.. Broadnax moved to "a
mend it, by declaring those who disbeieve
in God incapable Of giving testimony; but
subsequently Withdrew it. Mr.. Cooke then
moved to strike out the provlso TO the ninth
resolution, rendering ministers of the Gospel,
or priests incapable of serving in the Lcgis-
latuEe. Ma Doddrdge supported the mo
ton to strike out; declaring that the disabili-
~ contained in the prOviso, was at war with
the principle announced in the resolution IT.
self? Mr.. Brodnax opposed the motion, and
defended the policy of excluding the clergy
from legislation, and Mr.. Doddridge ejolned
Mr. Cooke briefly supported his motion TO
expunge, considering the proyiso at war with
the spirit Of oar institutions. Judge Coalter
and MIR Brodnax further opposed the motion,
and Air. Cooke and Mr.. Morgan SUPP orted
it. Mr.. Moore briefly addressed the Com.
mittee against the motion, and Alr. Randolph
more al large, when the question was put,
and the motion negatived by large MAORI
ty.
Mr. Brodnax then moved provlso, author
izing the Legislature to grant charters of in
corporation for religious or charitable pur-
poses, when to them it seemed proper or
Cypedicnt Mr.. Giles most earnestly opposed
the adoption Of the amendment pointed out
the mis- hiaC. In the community which result