Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-01

as the very decided majority Of the frcehoders who
had called the Convention He had always doubted that
there was any such majority actually in favor of the
measure Those who contened With the pre- tent
state of things had in multitude of cases. either not
voted at all, consented the Conve nton out OF
wish to indulge their neighbours: while those the
other side had been active aud persevcring, and had
tirned out TO He believed il tho two first class
es should be added to the majority there would he a
large majority in opposition TO the whole affair. How
ever this might be, he had not doubt that now after
the exhibition made by this body, the majority would
be very decided
He then went into exaninao Of The responsible
~ oil the Executive bodythe relation Of tho Council
the Governor as advisers aud the liberty well per-
sonal responsibility Of that officer Con,ending that
more responsible body, in every particular OF ai,s acs
did not exist under the sun-and challenging the gem
tenen the other side TO DEVISE ii they could, any
conceiv able mode to make persons responsible
Every act and every advice had to be recorded and
signed, submitted annually to that body fran whom
they received their Office, and then published to all the
world, Nay, the principle carried har sh-
mess; in the instance of the scratch osracism Of the
Council: measure shelving, however, the wise caution
OF the trainers OF the system, aud which had pow
crful, though not pleasant, influence stulant TO
duty He was willing t, have this feature soitened.-
Nor was the impeachment OF the Governor arranged,
that before il could be issued. he out Of office IL
did not commence till he was out Of ONCE, AMI then IL
might disquay him from lice for the rest of hi, life
what more would they desire an impeachment TO efe
lie then went into review OF the power Of the Ex-
ecutive. Hereferred &c the mass ofncidentai power
thrown into lis hands year by the orders of the
had always been exerci..; which point he
10 the late quotations from the Legislative Journal and
the result in triumphanlly vindcang the parties
ed. He touched on the power Of the Lieutenant Co.
vernor-and the abJrve attempt to Improve the
ture Of his ofhce-the plan gave him no du,ie. a,
ALL AS to substituting the Attorney General, the Trea
surer and Auditor Council he secuted the idea (:
The first Of these officers 10 now the Governors Off
cial adviser, AMI the other two, is his business TO
watch and control (and this la been as TO
detect great deialcations aud much money the
Common ealth)
The pardoning power had been discussed by Mr..
NICHOLS. The administration Of the Contingent Fund
was in practice the scru,iay Of mser his gold
accounts sfed down dollar, in,omuc that the
money hunters had given up the Council entirely.
MIR. q. then went into earnest remembrance q.
sains' pulling down an institution full Of wisdom, tested
by 81 year, experience, and which deiird scruny-
When called TO build UP something in ts place.
ilnched, and could not agree Some wished To a.sm.
Sa'e'-which he viewed ither more nor less TN an
limited monarch. Mr. G. here went into the pract
cal effects which had been proiucc in the General Co
vernment by Executive patronage, Sc and deprec
the Introduction of similar evils into Virginia He AL
vered to the Executive of Pennsylvania as furnish
ing similar illustration, though OH smaller scale
lie concluded by iofcibly pressing the responsibility
under which every member was acting, and the solemn
results to himself and TO poserity.
The Convention now became involved in a labyrinth
OF questions OF order which suspended all actual bust
ness for long time; the particulars Of which be of
no in crest 10 the public. They at length became ex-
treated by motion OF Mr.. Powell TO strike he last
mittee viz: and that IL is inerpedient to appoint
any other Executive Council"
The question being taken this question, il was
carried: Ayes IS.
TSo the Committee determined that il |. ersedient
there sh al be a Council !: and by leaving the first
clause stan Ing viz:
" Resoped That the Executive Council at present
organized, ough to h. abolished :" They did vrtu lily
determine, that the Council shall not be constituted as
at present
MIR. NICHOLAS now moved to amend tho Resolution
by adding thereto the foowing
RESOLVED, That the Sh and 10Th sections Of the pre-
sent Constitution be retained and that tic lt be sub
stitutad by the following resolution
a Privy Council or Council OF Safe, consisting OF
four members shall be chosen by joint ballot Of both
Houses OF Assembly. either from their members,
or the people at large to assist in the administration of
Government They shall annually choose Of their
own members, Lieutenant Governor, who in case OF
the death, inability, ah'ence Of the Gov
ernor from the Government shall act as Governor
The Governor shall be The President of the Council
and shall in all cases Of division, have the casting
Two members, with the Governor or Lieutenant Gov
erpor, the may be- shall be sufficient 10 act and
their advice and proceedings shall be entered Of record
and signed by the members present TO any past
whereof, any member may enter his dissenO 10 be
laid before the General Assembly, when called for
by them. The members Of that Council shall be
elected by joint bao; of both Houses OF H,a Gen
eral Assembly, Tor four years. AT Tie fsst cleo.
ton, the two houses shall, by joint resolution, divide
the persons elected into two classes The seals OF the
Councillors Of hs first class shall b. vacated at the ex
prAton of the SECOND year; Of the second class at the
expiration OF the fourth year; that one half NAY b.
chosen every second year; and il vacancies harpen ov
resignation, or oherwse, n stall be filed by Join
ballot OF the two Houses Of the General Assembly An
adequate but moderate salary. shall he settled IN en-.
during their continuance in Office and they shall be
capable during that time, Of sitting in ether House OF
Assembly.
The question was taken without debate, and decided
in the negsive--Ayes 80, counted.
(Messrs MONROE, MARsHALL and GILES, in the
affirmative; Mr.. MADISON in the negative
So Mr.. NICHOLAS amendment was rejected
Mr.. LEIGH now enquiring, what sort of Council
gentlemen wi.hed?-
Mr.. FIrzHUGH referred him TO section lIth Of Mr.
Powelps substitute.
" Sec. IL. The Governor shall have p9wer 20 re.
qure in writing, the opinions IT the Lieutenant Gov.
ernor and OF the Attorney General, all
appertaining TO the duties Of his Office"
Mr.. LEIGH denied that this was any Council at all.
The Governor had the right 10 ask Council where
he pleased. The Attorney General answered him off.
cially-but other lawyers frequently consulted,
and who would refuse?
MIR. FITzHUGH said, the plan made il obligatory,
and did not leave il mere act of courtesy.
MIR. LEIGH thought the difference inmate rial in
practice. His idea OF Council was, that they be
consulted and hat the Go must act according TO
thrr official advice.
After some conversation between Messrs. LEIGH &
POWELL,
Mr.. BRoDNAI moved a modification of thu proposi-
ton. which had been offered by Mr. NICHOLAS viz :
" Pryy Council Council Of State, cons4 tng OF
members, shal he chosen by both Houses of
Assembly, either from their members, the peo-
pie at large, TO assist in the administration Of Govern
men,."
His wish was 10 eli the blank with an odd number,
or5
Mr.. Mccoy said, a. it seemed pretty generally de-.
termn"d, that Lieutenant Governor tn ere i. 10 he
fonehow or other, he ,de the suggesion wle iher
would he well to give to him the duties now per
f. Il fs ...Il IL. Il. -