Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-10-10
motion VI Mr. MERCER, the tirst resolution was

| On motion OF Mr.. MERCER, the first rssou,,o, a..
then laid on the table i" ="
/ Mr.. BENJAMIN w I,EIcu said bo v,;.h,d .,
asingle suggestion. The gentleman from Loudou,
IN ms remarks concerning the disposition of the resn
lutions had stated that the report was adontcL IL
should move resolution that each of the suber,
should be referred to committee of Que from c,cj
senatorial district. This seemed to be intended I,
operate on the minds of the convention as to the disno
siton OF subjects. He trusted that the conycntio,
were not about to act on the supposon that this re
solution would be agreed TO and that stc, course
would be adopted. He should vote under TN, bnnf
that he convention would not on s., inconvepen
scheme The resolution referring the subjects I,
twenty-four members would embrace as lurge almos
as the Senate OF Virginia and the first Senate a
the United States. They would n,t he committees
Ill aly sense tie word The same scene would h,
acted over again, which he was sorry TO Witness j.,
me committee nf twen'yionr winch is nov existing
Instead ofdscussing se various points in conversation
according TO the usual practice of Committees oon
cten rose from their seats III FORM and addressed
themselves to the Chair, the same us if in Con,mttce
OF the Whole: So that pars,,ing this practice nseaJ
OF Select Committees shall Lave only debotinu
bodies. He had been opposed the other fav To tho
appointment OF Committee of twen.v-tour but had
tald nothing at the time. lie was wcll satisfied
then, that it would be u precedent according d
winch each important Comm! hereafter would he
composed OF one member oi each feua: orial Dis.
tct, because universal custom teaches ti.lt what has
been once done, Il as'iy done again, and i;.r 10 bet
ter reason than that It has been done. lie Shonl.
therefore vote under the hope that tho iouse u,Il
I
rot SEMI their, propositions to be operated upon by 50
cuinbaros machine Committee OF twenty .io1r
AS to the disposition Of the business in other re-
sIccts, lie was entirely uiific.cnt: the friends of th,
Report We're 1T liberty TO 10 a. the. pleased: the
might merge their resolutions and unite tbei,
Committees-so that they would satisfy him tina:
they would leave s'me duties TO be performed By
all III" Committees But he would not nec To ,.s. b.
sh precedent in the outset fer ali Commit. eos 10
be composed oil twenty four members.
Alter few words from MIR. alxncrR, ana Mr..
LEIGH ii explanatory the =, cnnG third nun i;, n
resolutions were agreed to.
The question being the fi:h resolution n =.
MERt1a moved TO amend ny inserting ;trr t!, word
that tic words the aeca ration OF rights and
50 Ina, the resolution would reah, ''Rcsav"d hat
the declaration of lights and all such parts Of the pre-
sent constitution, as not REFERRED sc.
The amendment was adopted, and the resolution
as aniendt 1 was then agreed to.
The question beiIig on the sixth resolntinn
Mn BENJAMIN w. LEIGH said he would 6e o
oitged to some gentleman of the select Committee
to assign reason for this proposition.
Ma. CHAPMAN Johnson said the reason fcr .ecrrl.
I'cuing this resolution was simply this; the Commit
tee nad thought that in proposing amendments TO the
constitution OF Virgin Il, every measure shoIl,
be adopted which should lead to na;:,rest re
Election and fullest consideration, he.ar. any
thing Wa dcne 10 commit this BODY. or tu MARI
the course when should De finally thought ,t
ne tIle wisost ana best The Convention having
hErec that The various parts Of the Constitution be-
referred to Select Committees, to enquire If an,
,
proper during the existence OF these Cninm nos
scssing their delegated authority to permit infyda
members ia Introduce at heir Giscra:ioa amendment,
whicb might lead TO d&cussn, before thew ilal ra
CelVed the sanction of snci Committees. II Wa:
then thought proper that there should be no dis
cncSon OF such subjects until they were either refer
red to Committee of the Whole, or TO Il Seec
ColnHi:ttec. as the iouse might tl.ni, hest
Mr Is w. LEIGH said, tut taking Inc genera
words OF the resolution. the only effect would be tia
any gentleman thought proper TO propose ar
amendment to the Constitution in Convention
ard wished to preface lis motion with eyola
naory remarks, he would not be permitted -
Ills own understanding of the word discuss
was that it did not imply debate. 4 single
person might discuss proposition, while debate re.
CURED more than one. His principal objection was
founded on his presumption that no person would Be
permitted By way of preface to assign his reasons for
offering any prOpUsi ION.
MIR. CHAPMAN JOHNSON said tl:> matter was con
sdcred when his resolution pToposed and re-
commended. The parliamentary knowledge of the
gentleman from Chesterlll would furnish him vii,
an apt Illustration OF This difficulty. ard Mr.. J. said
nc was sure w!rn he difficulty removed The
objection would also give way. 1t was a standing
rule of The House Of Delegates and r believed fan
legislative bodies, that proposition could be dis
aussed until 1t was seconded, yet this rule was never
construed as preventing the gcntlenan Offering TIE
propagation from explaining his motives, he nut it
IN tue hands of the Chair. The gentleman n IN Chrs
tericld hnnsclfwlcn he SUBMIT I'd his proposition did
not wait till he had put his resolution III the hands OF
the Chair 10 explain his object Nor did he Consider
the gentleman out OF order. no member was ont OF
order, if he confined hnsc'tu an explanation Of lis
object. Gentlercen perhaps would not think proper
to extend that explanation widely to draw the
merits of the proposition into discussion. Every
gentleman must take his discretion and taste
for bis guide. After explanation the Chair puts
The question, and proposition is then either referred
or otherwise disposed Of
Mr.. DoDDRtDGE said rcfcrrnyto older mem
bers than himself he learned tina. this difficulty had
occurred before. On presenting proposition, OK
PIanation is the practical exposition Of the rule
the House Of Delegates. he had Il member
OF the house always seen this practical exposition
put ON the roll.
The question tlicn pvt ana The resolution was
agreed to.-Aycs i0--Noes 81.
On motion of Mr.. MERCER the fr.t in tle series
OF resolutions, was then taken up, and rejected.
Mo "lERcER then moved a re-oluun subject ofiie
extension OF the committees lie stated in reply gentle
man from Chesterfield that Inc had Looked over The journals
the House Of Delegates for many years found that
There was scarcely any important SUBJECT, which tie
itiee mad been less than twcniysOme committees
10 twenty and tweny-ihTee But there was an Obvious