Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-08


stous TO establish rule this subject. which
might apply not merely to the present moments but to
all future i,ne but he was satisfied. that. situated a.
the Convention now was, permanent arrangement,
looking TO iutury, could he agreed upon. But the
hopeiessness Of this why some present
arrangement ought not TO be made II they could not
do all the goodahey desired. let them do all that
in their power. The result oil the calculations both
sides, Showed that House Of Delegates contributed
the principle OF qualified voters ani the COM
poundbas OF population and property, would not differ
by more than 3. perhaps only by members. As 10
the objection that unless some permanent rule Of appor
TONNE should be settled discomfort would ain arise
and a he ~ Convention be called, he thought the ex
Hperence the people had had the present occasion
was pretty good security against any speedy to
that expedient. Buff such Convention was to Assem-
ble the future rule Of appointment might be left TO
them. Yet he willing to lend his aid in the effort
to nix il now. His own preference for the Federal
Number a Just medium between the ratios OF popu
laon and TAXATION lie repealed the charge OF aristo-
cracy male against this arrangement by appealing to
the principles aud virtues Of the founders Of the Con-
sttutio and the three venerable men, (wo Of whom
had fought in defence of iberty) who had given II
their sanction the present occasion. He never
could be made to believe that such men were the
friends Of arstocracy. But il the time for carrying
such principle the basis OF both Houses past
still he in favour Of doing what might aay dis.
contents for the present. He utterly opposed to
basing the two Houses different ratios Of represen.
taton leading TO discord and providing opposite and
conflicting influences which must forever keep the YES.
sci Of State from the harbour Of the public good. He
had belief in the doctrines commonly maintained
by writers and advocated here, Of the efficacy Of checks
and balances. In Government like that Of Great I,ri.
tain where the source OF power was not in the people,
butiu Monarch claiming il by divine right and he
reditary descent they might be necessary and were
certainly operative; hut in Government like none
Of the arguments in their favour applied. The true
check here the distribution of power into many
HANDS. This principle would be met by placing the
power OF l." gislson in two different branches--wth-
out making the two Houses antagonists. The Consttu-
ZION provided Legislative, Executive and Judicial De-
partment, not that they might oppose each other,
act In harmony twas not the dity of the Executive
to oppoe hs execution of the lie gsative will, but 10
comply with it: nor vast the excellence OF the Ju-
dietary to give Interpretation to the laws opposite 10
the purpose for which they enacted, but confor.
mable TO it, In support Of the general views he had
given,h referred 10 the authority OF the late Mr. TAY
LoR OF Caroline lie appealed also TO what Mr.. JonN-
SON had adnsed on the subject ola want OF harmoni
ou' action between two branches OF the Legislature
constituted in so different manner proposed
and his personal preference Of Mr.. UPsHUR'R plan Of
compromise to that OF Mr.. COOKE. He concluded by
expressing his deermina,io vote for Mr. GoRpoN's
amendment, reserving himself its details which he
had not examined.
Mr.. SrANARD expressed his view Of the proposition
with that just expressed, and his to vote
Tor IT, IL spondea with proposition men ioned
by himself to the Committee three weeks since.-He
did not mean TO pedEe himself TO all the details, in
which he thought there errors: hut he
wished to take this step TO remove existing difficulties
and nothing more could he done, leave the future APP
poruonment TO be settled hereafter.
Mr. COOKE then and adore ssed the COMMITTEES
which speech we are reluctantly compelled postpone
Mr. UPsHUR briefly staed the Ieasons why he
should vote in favour OF the amendment Of Mr. Cox.
DON The distribution Of power, TOR the present were
nearly the same those in his own proposition and
would at al events disembaas. the subject from MANY
dflicues. As TO the question Of future nent
tue adoption OF tho amendment would preclude any
arrange for that object-and he il TO be
his intention should the proposition carry, TO move as
an amendment the provision for future apportion
ment as had formed part Of his own scheme.
Mr. DoDDRIDGE nov moved an amendment 10
the amendment Of MIR. GORDON, the following substi.
tute:
After the next Census 10 be taken under fbe
laws OF the u States, aud once at least in every ten
years berester, there shall be new superintendent
oil representation in the House of ID en- the bs-
SIS oil white population and in the Senate that Of the
federal cumberland all future enume atoms for the
purposes OF apportionment may be made, either under
the laws this state, or those Of the u States at the
discretion ct the G neral Assembly-And whenever
new .apportionment Of representation shall be made
mere shall be new assessment Of taxes i'm each
State"
In giving his reasons for moving this substitute Mr.
DoDDRDGE said that his assent TO the Federal number
as basis tor the Senate was given on the hypothesis.
ha, the white basis should lie adopted for the House of
Delegates This was the last step he could take with
view to compromise.
His objection to the scheme of Mr. GoRpoN arose
rom It's containing no plan for any future apporonmen
oil representation. Unless they could agree 10 Con.
suton which should repres entson 10 graduate
upon, they had better do nothing at all: Constitution
without this feature would create more Dissatisfaction
than existed at present. He was fully confident that
the West would accept nothing short Of the white ba
sis in the House of Delegates al least: he believed thew
might consent with some unanimity to that a compro-
mise lie declared, for himself and for himself alone
mat he should determine between this day and Tues
day NEXT whether he could farthe his constitu
ens by remaining here any longer.
Mr. LEIGH rose 10 express his OF what was
The true amount Of Mr. DoDDRIDGE's mendmen,
MI GoRDoN's plan Of distributing the represe alton
was based substantially the white population as ex
hbited by the census Of l82Otho' not actually 90 in
all the details, but throwing fractions out Of view is
IN TACT The basis OF white population according that
census Now, said Mr.. L., the gentleman from Brooke
taxing The census OF 1920, and having respect TO the
white population exclusively demands that this shall be
established as rule for all future time, the basis
u the House Of Delegates. Is, therefore, precisely
he same question we have been discussing for so long
lime; II is brought forward again. and will, suppose,
ne repeated until the repetition shall be considered
hopeless; and then, the gentleman tells us he shall de-
ermine whether to go home not. Are we TO under.
s'and THIS as menace, that the western members will
secede IN body! Such idea has been suggested out
here?
Mr. DoDDRIDGE Cooking towards the reporter) | |
hope my words will he remcmbered:G .aid that speak
bg Tor myself, and myseU alone, should determine
whether could be OF any farther service TO nv con-
'tuents by remaining longer here.
Mr.. LEIGH. 1.-THE gentleman shall secsde himssI RI
alone why then we shall carry proposition. am
mol now 10 understand him as threatening secession
Of The West. IL we are 10 remain tog etpr then the
gentleman TO be understood saying that they will
stand hrm, and not advance another step.
Let me address word 10 the represe atives of
ny western fellow chzens (for they are my fellow
riilzens, aud II is my wish that they may long remain
'ol all we ask is representation OF those intere sis
vhlch we hold and which they do not: but if there
e TO be the smallest infusion Of such principle the
hey say tina, the West will not adopt such a system
res his TI,asl Il.