Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-04

my u 10 DE "lncxpedent' to act on the subject nj
present MIR. Sprague moved to strike on, the word
lcHpcuieht, and to substitute the word "cXpedi-
c"'' wmch was carried in the Affirmative: and the
iesoiution was then changed, motion of Mr. Ser
su'' Tor one authorizing thc President to mark out
tue m htary road whenever he shall think il ca He'd for
" the nonor and interests of the country. After
some other bills had been acted on the House rcsol
yea itself INTO committee OF the whole on tho hill to
- npensate Susan Decatur, widow of Capt Stephcu
Decatur, and Others. Motions were made IN nmnud
,'ie OH so as tn introduce the officers and crew of the
orig Syren, but they were ncrativcd and the com.
mi'tee rose aud reported the bill without amendment.
go "oiCh' ne C"cstior was taken on the engross-
inent ofthe bill, and decided in the negative Tbc
OIL was therefore rejected by vote of88 to So
Speech Of NJ. J. c. C4BELL in Tie Sc.o,s ~, -.
motion TO graduate the Representation in Common.
ton by Senatorial Districts
Mr.. CABET.L said that the sub,oct had r,dor-
gone an ample discussion and he did not sun,,so
that 1t was III his power to Influence the decision ~
the Senate. But he felt it due 10 himself and IA bs
constituencies explain the grounds OF the vote hc
was about to give. The debate had assumed - 80; a.
and dscurSve character. and various questions soo
ed IN ITS progress. to elicit strong emotion and -,
perpleX the minds ofmcmbers. But il reouircd M
uhuSua assortment to perceive the master question
that was the real source OF difficulty and in IucrcJ
every other question. 1t was not tho ranc,c of sIc
ton, important rs that object was TO .ho cbor,c,o
oi The Convention. Ii was not the extension of tbo
!I9h oil suffrage great as that subject was in all its
bearings The point oil real enbarrassn, aut ,os tn
adjustment of the ratio of representation in Con,o
ton' and the effect Of that ratio upon the future no
htcal power OF the eastern and western sec,ioo ~
the Commonwealth
The amendment, proposed by TIL member fo,,
Chesterfield had for It's principal object n sb,;.,,
III ue place OF the system of graduated county repr.
scnailon proposed in the original bill that Of crrol
representation from the present Senatorial districts of
the state. The amendment to the amendment s,,
member
ate the representation from these districts on Tho h.,
Sis 81 the white population OF the State sbewn nv
the isdera! census of 1920. The amendment of the
member from HARRISON Mr. G.. thouCht atiar oiy;n-
10 te SUBJECT much reflection ought not To prevail
w hateVer may have been his opposition to Conven
tlol, now that majority of his constituents and
majority ni the people OF the state called for thn
sure, he had come TO the OF government frmIy
deteFlAcu 70 contribute every thing in his power ~
carry their wishes into effect He had foreseen tho
conflict OF interests and the angry feelings that would
uEls rom he discussion of the subject now under the
Consideration of the Senate. and he had never known
al occasIoh on winch there was greater necessity for
the exercise OF spirit of mutual difference and
cesSon' Prompted by the spirit of Cancellation he
had unhl very recently, felt disposed to wave MI
Objections connected with the peculiar stu,tio, Of
the east, and to vote for organizing the Convention
on The sole basis of the white population of tho
otate. but the question assumed a II, =. nsnoc,
j ne single standard of white population was nov,
brought forward and urged with vehement zo,I &c
the east could not with Justice refuse. JJpon This
ground, MIR. Cwas not prepared TO make the conoes
sion required On the contrary, viewing the subject
IN the hight IN which it presented itself 70 his roinj b
vas compelled 10 say, that it involved a most d.I;
cate quest on on which he felt il lis dutytn avoid IF
po.sDe, any premature commitment, and 90 leave for
adjustment III more appropriate place in tho Con.
yenion about to be formed where alone nc was vory
sire tim, his constituents wished and cvnoc,oI
II to be brought into discussion.
In order To ascertain with precision the BEARING Of
tie various schemes OF representation presented by
IN original ball and tic two amendments under con
sideratlon, II would be expedicnt 70 fix UPON cop,
mon MAXIMUM 10 the amount Of rcpresentatiop =,
convention, and TO rete all the plans TO it, as stan
dnTd OF comparison. The original bill proposc1
convention OF u members. The amendment rcdu.
c"d the number TO &c. And the amendment In tho
amendment called for a body of 100 For his own
part, he preferred the smallest number mentioned.
and he would select that as the measure of co,o,or
SON 10 ascertain the apportionment of representa-
ton IN Convention Of &c members bascd on viii,
population, as presented by the federal census Of 1920
MI u SAID he had avalled himself of calculation
made by member Of the other house of Assembly /
VINO represented a county situated beyond the Blue
Rrgc OF mountains. The statement apDeo,ed In bn
drawnup with great care, and as far a., could nor
c'lrc was entirely accurate. Whatever obicction
might be made 10 this scheme, on the GROUND Of n
transfer by legislation, Of uctions from district IN
district, IN order 10 effect representation Of the
Wh1'e people, u seemed to do Justice upon the assn
med basis, 10 every portion Of the state. Tn ike
manner, IN order 20 ascertain the proper apportion-
o'Ht on c~nbined basis Of taxation and POPULATION
NC would refer TO statement made b. another mem
Der OF the House ofDelcgatcs, representing a coun.
y ON the eastern side Of the Ridgc.
with the aids referred 10 and the matorias on tho
table Of the Senate, Mr.. &. was enabled 20 state the
effects Of the different plans of representation ON the
political situation of tho eastern aud western pnris oF
the state.
w n Convention Of &c members. tho country eo.t
of The Blue Ridge would have n majority as follows.
On the scale Of graduated county represen-
tnilon n presented in tho bill from the House
OF Delegates, 1G
On the proportion fixed in the amendment
TO the amendment, of representation by soma
toraI Districts on tho basis Of white popula-
ton, 10
On the plan o. equal representation from
The senatorial districts, as suggested by the
amendment Ofthe Senator from Chesterfield, If
ton, o.
o. thc combined basis oftoyaiion andrcpre-
scntauon, 96
This table Of results, shows concusivcly that the