Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-28

with and attachment to the soil, to entitle to the
right of suffrage. He wished to see the whole sys-
TEN of government in the hands of the people--he
was opposed tn all distinctions of rank in society,"
Let the majority rule The rights of primogeniturc
and entail are gone. The father brings up his sons
according to his own principles and when he dies his
estate Is divided among his children-and if he dies
intestae it is divided equally by the law of desccnts.
In two or three generations the largest be-
come thus subdivided and the whole aspect of socie
ty is changed. There strong reasons for con-
meeting the right ofsufrage. certain extent with
an interest in the soil Such security was necessary
but let it be moderate. Here we see none of the eau
ses which overthrow the ancient republics We are
differently situated from what they were. Our in
terests the same have nh interests or powers
confiIctng-we are cmbined-connected together.
There exist dissension between rich and poor, but
weare all identified together For these reasons he
should be glad to the right of suffrage eonected
with the soil, and made moderate would be con-
sstent with the accomplishment OF the object.
The question was then taken, and the proposition
to amend the amendment decided in the mega
tivc.-Ayes 4I-noes "A.
The question then recurred on the proposition Of
Mr. Leigh to amend the original resolution by insert
ing the substitute which he had offered and this CUES
ton WIS taken, without further debate, and decided
in the negative.-Ayes 37-noes 81.
Mr.. COOKE then offered the following amend
ment OF the third resolution reported by the Legisa
tive Committee, to wits rike out tue whole resolu-
ton after the word Resolved" and insert
That the electors Of all executive, legislative other fHc
toaes IN this Commonwealth whose election shall he
med directly to the people, by the provisions of any new
Constitution, amendment of the Old be framed by the
Convention assembled, shall be-
All white male cSer,s of the United States Of tine age OF
twenty upwards, and resident county,
borough other electoral district shall
offer to vot. at the time OF any election; except
That citizens of the Cied States born in the United States
but without the limits OF The Commonwealth shall enjoy
the RICH. of s age unless they shall have resided In,
years immediately preceding the election which they
shall respectively offer to vote and immediately preceding
such election in the county, CITY, borough electoral
district where they shall respectively offer vo,e,he
OF proving such residence TO be prescribed by laW;
That natualzed citizens the States shall enjoy
the right until addition the qualification of residence
required by preceding clause thew shall have esec
Gvey acquired by marriage descent purchase a freehold
estate land Of the assessed value of dollars situated
within the Commonwealth he title to which shall have
evidenced by recorded deed wil shall have been
in possession of the for the space before any
election which they shall respectively offer mode
prescribed by law
That person shall exercise the RICH, ofsufisge at any
election unless he shall have paid all aud eyes imposed
on him by law, and legally demanded of him. during the Two
years immediately preceding such eleco the mode proving
or dsPovns such payment if disputed 10 be prescribed by
That person convicted of any infamous offence shall a,
any election thereafter enjoy exercise the RICH; OF suffrage
the enumeration of such offences TO hs made by law;
That the right Of suffrage shall be enjoyed exercised
by pauperGIe definition of the paupsr. be made
BY any person who shall have declared by lawful
tribunal 10 be Of sound mind during the continuance Of such
BY any commissioned officer private soldier seaman
nane in the regular service of the United Saie this
Commonwealth za. ...s .f.,
The amendment proposed having been reported by
the Chair
Mr.. COOKE said that the Convention was nov
in the eighth week of its session, and had decided
almost nothing. He added that notwithstanding the
ability with which the various subjects had been dis
cussed, ii was quite apparent that the committee was
absolutely surfeited with discussion and debate. 1t
would i'll become him. under such circumstances, to
trespass the time and patience of the commit co
by what was commonly called 'se speech" No
thing was further from his purpose. Indeed, if the
views comprehended in the amendment he had Just
offered the subject of suffrage, had been present.
cd by any other member he should have contented
himself after discussion protraeted, with giving
a silent vote in their support
Under existing circumstances he deemed it his duty
to explain and support those views, but would endea-
YOUR to do it with much brevity as possible lie
hoped if would not be considered departure from
this plan of breYlty, to make few remarks the
two amendments Yesterday proposed by the gentle
man from Spottsyvania, Mr.. Stanard as he should,
in explaining the reasons which induced him to vote
against both of the amendments alluded to- present
at the same time the grounds of his preference for
those which he had had the honour, himself to submit
The gentleman from Spottsylyania had proposed
to extend the right of suffrage to
LIST. Every such citizen as shall be lessee Of
tenement Of the yearly value of dollars, for
term of or more years, bya deed duly recorded
three months before the time lie may offer to vote,
qIld Of tchtch tease at tedSt gears shat he u0er-
PRED at The time he offers to cote" And
Cd, every such citizen shall, within one year
before he may of,r to vote, have tar lures 10 The
duoumt9 assessed on property, whether real or
personal, owned by him. and shall have actually paid
such tax or taxes at least three months before he
shall so offer to vote"
Now Sir said Dir. c., am opposed to both of
these notifications of the right of suffrage, because
Of the 6uctuating and mutable character of the
qualification they prescribe. | am opposed to the
first, because it confes the right on lessee III 1920
and deprives him of it in 1880. In 1920 his lease
has two years to run, and he is voter:-He enjoys
share in the sovereignty Of The country:In 1880,
it has but one year to run, and be is DISTINGUISHED
and yet he is the same man-possesses the same
moral and intellectual quallties-the same love Of
! countryside same stake in the COMMUNICATIVE
same evidence of permanent common interest with
\ and attachment to the commuDity'-in short the
same fitness to exercise the right of suffrage in
the precedingye He has done no act to change
his relation to the community in any respect, and
yet he finds himself degraded from the rank of one
toCtt x