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


ton, freed rs II has been from Of is elements (tsx
ation appears TO be entitled to favourable consiiera
tion: IL Is not liable to affections which decisive
with those. who oppose the rival plan. The original
and real ground OF opposition between the two parties
H. that one basis Of representation Tor both Houses OF
the Legislature was cl'med on one sder aud differ
| ent basis Tor both Houses on the other sidss
| The proposition Of the gentleman from Northahplon
compares the two plans, and divides equal concss-
sions by the difference between them.
And could there be case, sir, wh.re equal, well
az mutual concession reasonable! For, nei-
ther side cay TO the other we out-number you,
and you ought therefore, 70 yield to numbers. Mel
Their side will presume 10 saw TO the other we have
more wisdom than you, more intelligence, infor
milton, more experience more patriotism, or more OF the
confidence Of our constituents Yes, sir, there
was case imposing oblig alton both sides TO
relax in their opinions and by equal welt mutual
| surrenders Of opinions, 10 meet ON middle ground.
acknowledge that cannot concur in the expedien-
cy cf adopting arrangements merely temporary, howe
verI may respect and value the motives prompting
them They would, in my view. be but an anodyne to
the public agitation, only 10 awaken H. after lapse Of
ten yeas, o.a more violent state.
Ii would be folding up in the instrument Of conca-
ton ITSELF hidden torches Of di.cod, tobe lighted up
whenever the same great subject should be reviewed
On the whole, sir, shall give my vote for the plan
proposed by the gentleman from Northampton, as
equal ground Of compromise than the other and
have thought proper 10 make this explanation, lest
my should he supposed wanting In consistency.
| Mr.. NICHOLAS thought II due TO himself 10 vndi,
sion. Like the gentleman from Orange (Mr. Madson.)
he thought that provision ought be made for
future apportionments but this not preciuaed by
the proposition OF the gentleman fro Albcmare, (Mr.
Gordon No man in the Convention represented por
ton OF the State that would lose greater number Of
Representatives by the arrangement than his Dis.
trct: and his personal opinion that representation
ought TO be based on numerous House OF Dele.
gates but he felt himself placed in situation where
he sacri6ce the local interest OF his District 10 the
neralinteresis Of Eastern Virginia.
He thought II on the whole best 10 do Il CAV.
him great pain 10 be obliged to choose between the
two but he thought he should he best subscribing the
interests OF his Constituents by adopting the
Of the gentleman from Albemarc.F He considered
pledged TO contribute his the arrange
ment of future system OF apportionment
Mr.. ScoTr said he acting with the members
from Middle Virginia, in embracing Mr.. GoRDoN's
scheme. -
He would GO a step farther He thought he should
be in favour Of some scheme Of future apporionment
He would not be one Of lean majority to force any
rule respecting that subject minority hut he
prepared to increase any resp cabe majority in any
plan they should be able 10 agree upon.
The question taken on Mr. DoppRIpGEs
amendment and decided in the negative; ayes A,
(Mr. Monroe voting aye Messrs.S Madison and
Marshall, no.)
The question then taken on Mr.. GoRpoN's a.
mendmen', and carried, ayes 40, noes 43.
(Air. Marshall, aye Messrs. Madison and Monroe
So the Committee agreed by majority of 6, to adop,
The following, as substitute for the scheme of Mr..
UPsnUR: ~
"Resolred That Misrepresentation of the Senate and
House Of Delegates Of Pirginid, shall be apportioed
as foiiotrs
There shall be 10 Senators IPest of the Blue Ridge
Of Mountains, and 10 East of those Mountains.
There shall be in the House Of Delegates. I27 mem
bes, Of tohom % shall be elected from the District
Vest Of the Allegheny Mountains; "a from the Pol
ley bettceen the .aHeghany and Riue Ridge; 4S from
the Blue Ridge to the Head Of Tide IPaer, and "a
thence beio,o."
Mr.. Upsuunn,w offered the following amendment:
Resoired, That the Legislature shall hare poicer,
red'rdnge the representation in both Houses Of the
General assembly once in eerery gears, upon
fair average Of the following ratios riz: Ist of
1phife DODlu0fion. ID Of the mn,
Mr.. THOMPSON of Amherst offered the following
| amendment. to that Of Mr.. UPsHUR.
RESOLVED, That the year the Legislature
shall provide by law for taking the census Of the popu-
laon OF the State and for OF its lands
and at the next succeeding Session after the census
shall be taken and the assessment made, the Legsa.
tire shall by law submit TO the qualified voters the de.
cison Of the question Of the basis Of in
both Houses of the Legislaure-Ifa majority concur
IN favor OF any particular basis the Legislature shall at
their next succeeding Session apportion the l2S dele
gates and 30 senators according such basis aud shall
provide by law Tor all future apportionmens upon such
basis and Tor all future assessmentsbut should the
majority fail to combine in any basis, the Legisa-
ture shall adopt The compound basis Of white popua-
ton, taxation and Federal Numbers, in one only or
both branches Of the Legislature them shall
expedienaDd the law so 10 be enacted for apporton.
ment OF representation and for future shall
become and forever thereafter be part of this Consiitu
ton.
The question being taken without debate it was ne
gatived, ayes ~, noes 80. -
(Messrs. Madison. Monroe and MsrshalI, Ny
MIR CAMPBELL Of Brooke, offered the following:
Resoioej, That the lie gisature shall in the year
make provision for the organization Of
Convention equally nearly may be- the quail
he'd voters OF this Commonwe alth who shall appor.
ton the representation in both Houses OF the General
Assembly upon such basis they shall ibirk best and
also make provision for future periodical apportion-
mens.-
Mr.. JOHNSON stated the reason why he should vote
against all amendments Of this character, viz that the
Convention clothed with power 10 pass them
IL was called for specific object, viz the mt
OF the Constitution; and had power do any thing
else
The ara 'n1ment was rejected.
.Mr CLAYroR moved the following substitute
tr Mr.. UPsHUR's amendment:
Rfs0iUed, That when the amended Constitution shall
be submitted TO the people, the following question by
Tor final settlement Of the principle OF the apporion
ment of representation, viz:
Shall The basis of representation Ut both branches
Of he Legislature be chife population excitsipeiY
After few remarks in explanation by the mover, and
an objection by Mr.. LEIGH,
The amendment was reiected-ayes 80.
Mr. FIrzHUGH offered the following mendment
Res0iued, That in the year and in every
tenth year thereafter, shall be the duty the Gen.
erai Assembly TO re-appoon the representation in the
House OF Delegates nearly possible in popo rti0n
aporiionments shall be subject to DIVISION
u was rejected, ayes As. noes 40
The question being then put on Mr.. UpsHUR's
amendment, (sse aboye) IL was corried-syes SO.
Mr. UPsHUR moved the following provisio;
" Provided that the number Of the House Of Dele
gates shall never exceed the number OF
the Senate 1T was carried.
Mr.. SCoTT moved that the Commtee now rise.
Mr. POWELL suggested that II woull be better 10