Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-12-03

had already been acted on, in order 10 examine
that faci--and pronounced illatihe same proyi
sion runs through several of the propositions,
but varied by other provisions.
Mr.. Johnson objected 10 this amendment, that
instead Of he Convention fixing the g~ualifca-
tion of Suffrage for itself, it devoives upon the
Legislative will TO determine IL, II hereafter
The Legislature should wish 10 admit every man
in the Commonwealth 10 n vote, all they have
got TO do is to impose ajax (uominal perhaps) OF
one cent or dime upon every man.
Mr. Randolph opposed the molion.-He said
he would rather rise and leave the whole subject
TO the discretion Of he General Assembly, than
adopt any clause which has boon engraf,ed into
that 81 clause. He put il 10 gentlemen, wheih-
er they had not better give the Legislature a
carte blanche.
II .e The proprielors Of the soil, The sove-
reigns Of this lalt1. are SO ~inetfably stupid II
thank nee, Jew, Tor teaching re that word as
b give up this power, we should realize the
stupidity Of Esau. The apathy which prevails
in this Assembly as to the rights OF The freehold
ers, is inexpress ibly distressing. There IS one
class of nonfreeholders 10 whom his heart
yearns. aud 10 which he would extend the right
Of suffrage, if he could-and that ia the
sons of freeholders-the bone and muscle
OF this land-but he would AJAX that class, can
YOU not Will ~ a lG" 1Coio-ullHl tOu AaNt
gained n ~freeholi by descent, or gained one by
honest indusiry-lo divide thea The power with
the freehoiders l-lIad you not better wait,
han make a common cause with those We
yagabonls, the rabble dt scribed by the gen
tleman from Frederick, those who fang loosely
| upon socie' v, but stick closely enough TO its
| skirts He said he would rather rise to-day,
and devolve all the powers, Legislative, Execu.
tive and Judiciary. upon the Legislature, than
I agree TO some OF the anendments adopted BY
the Committee
Mr.. Summers supported his resolution. Il
| would leave something TO that wisdom and dis.
cre,ion Of the Legislature, winch The gentleman
has referred 10.
Mr.. Stannrd contcnded that The present pro-
| posiiion goes a bow-shot nearer TO universal
suffrage, than any Other which had been sub
| mitted. 1.-THE gentleman from Loudaun (AIr.
Nercer) be correct in the doctrine he lately I'D
vanced, that every tar falls upon the Consumer,
though advanced by the merchant ,lr0, OF
course, every man who buys a yard oil cloth. or
| gill Of spirit, pays a tax, aud therefor. would
! be entitled, under his proposed amendment, to
! vote, and then we should see that rabble voting
| which the gentleman from Frederick had at.
| tempted 10 restrict from voting MIR. S. con
tended, tha the imposition of a single cent upon
| a head OF cattle, would give The right OF sui.
| f.age-and thai if ihs Legislature so pleased,
| they might make it amount To Universal Suf
frage.-And il a man chooses TO give in a CO."
| or horse TO the commissioner, thrre can ne no
check. The COMM sioner would have no right
to investigate the ct-sn thus stu endous
frauds NAV be introduced, and a man who
was utterly insolveni, might have the right OF
suffrage.
The question was then put, on MIR. Summer
motion, aud lost without a division.
MIR. Henderson proposed % amend the reso
luton so as to STRIKE out fire years rtsidence in
| the Commo nweali b, and TO insert tpo Gas "a
| citizens born without the Commonwealth Mr..
II. in support of his resolution, Said, that il
would extend the time of residence much further
than NJ present. Would it not be safe TO give
honest mechanics, who ZONE here and buy land
or persons who bought land here Tor he purpose
of settlement, the right Of voting for a smaIlet
term than 8 wears Would il not be the policy
of Virginia TO increase the number OF emf
grants, by lessening The qualification OF resi-
dence7
Mr.. NIchold, was in favor of the striking out
so as 70 enable as TO reduce the length OF resi-
dence, but with a view of annexing the condi.
ton Of obtaining a freehold in the State. He
doubted whether il would not impede the EN-
ieration TO Virginia. And lie moreover doubted
whether it would not also clash with the spirit
ofthe Federal Constitution, which admits thu
citizens of the other States to a participation o.
the rights OF our OWL citizens. He should
therefore, vote for the two years, but with the
condition Of superaddiug The possession Of q
freehold, agreeab1y to the proposition made
Yesterday by the gentleman from Frederick
(Mr. Cooker
Mr.. Barbour rose In comment on a remark OF
Mr.. Nicholas, (when Mr. n. explained, that the
J onotlopnap fran, Dpnnyp was me of the last men
in the nation who would he disposed 10 violate
the sovereignty or rights ofthe Slates-he took
this opportunity OF expressing his grateful &C.
acknowledgements 10 that gentleman for the abili,
ty and zeal which he had manifested in their
support)
Some conversation also took place between
Messrs. Cooke aud Nicholas on the proposition
made by the former-tha, gentleman saying
that he did not require a freehold from citizens
Of other States, but from aliens only.
Mr.. McCoy coptended that the case suggested
by Nh. Nicholas was embraced within the first
clause of the resolution.
Mr.. Leigh was opposed TO The whole clause.
Mr.. Henderson then moved to strike out the
whole clause, VIZ "Nor by citizens born with.
out the Commonwealth, unless they shall have
resided therein for tive'years Immediately pre-
ceding the election at which they shall offer 10
vote and two years preceding the said election
in the county, city, borough or election district,
where they shall offer to vote, (the mode ofpro.
wing such previous residence when disputed, to
be prescribed by law and shall possess
moreover some one or more ofthe qualifications
above enumerated Carried, without a diyi.
sion.
Mr.. Peasants substitute was then taken up
Ton The basis Of reprCssntdtion)
-" Repre- sentation in the Senate shall be based
on the whole number OF free persons, including
those bound 10 service for a fern'of years, and
including Indians not taxed. ~andadding to the
| aforesaid number Of free persons, three hfths OF
all other persons and the Senate shall consist
of n number not exceeding and its
term of service and classification remain as al
present"
Mr.. Peasants rose 20 address the Committee
He referred to the remarks which he bad made
on a former day, 10 favor Of bis proposltl0n.