Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-08
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEG6TES

TUESDAY, JANUARY g. A communica-
ton waSfeceived from the Senate, that they had
passed the bills changing the time of holding one
OF the Quarterly courts for the town of Staunton;
and authorizing separate election in the county
OF Franklin; aiso that they had passed the bills
providing against the abatement Of actions in law
in certain cases; authorizing the counties of Har-
repairing roads and BRIDGES sm epsnss
which were concurred in by the House.
And that they had rejected the bill providing a
gainst the mischief OF rnad-dogs.
reports were presented from the committees, by
Messrs. Parker, Miller of Powhatan, Oldham aud
Hill. =
MIR. Carter moved 10 suspend the rule Of the
House,to receive petition from Richmond county,
and on suggestion Of Mr. Mason of Frederick the
motion was amended, and the rule suspended for
ne day. Mr.. Carter then presented the petition
alluded to.
The engrossed bill concerning the Overseers of
the Poor, was taken up and read. Mr. Carter ex-
planned that the object of the bill was not to touch
the present system OF poor laws but to call for in
formation on the subject He said that our present
system was copied from that of England, and made
few remarks to show the necessity of the sfor-
nation called for. The bill was passed.
An engrossed bill concerning James Brownlee
was read Sd time and passed.
Sundry bills in their incipient stages were acted
| upon
CONVENTION.
The House again resolved itself into Commit
| tee OF the Whole, on Mr.. Nelson's motion. Mr.
May in the chair: Mr.. Doddridee's amendment
to the first section Of The Convention Bill, being
| still under consideration.
| Mr.. Doddridge remarked, that the more he had
| reflected, the more he convinced of the pro-
priety of dividing the question, in the manner first
proposed, and accordingly renewed that motion.
lie explained what he thought would be the ad-
vantages talking the question first on the mott
! on 10 strike out the section Ifthat prevailed, it
would be competent for the Committee to fill the
blank with his, or any other proposition.
Mr.: Terrell enquired if the motion to strike out
prevailed, would it be competent to offer any other
| amendment and intimated his intention TO do So
lie was answered by the Chair to his satisfacti-
| on. Some conversation here ensued, in which
Messrs Speaker Banks, Gordon, Terrell and Mr.
| May, the Chairman, took part relative To the
question OF Order, and the advantages and disad-
vantages of different courses of proceeding, when
| Mr.. Brown, OF Harrison, expressed hope that
the vote on the question to strike out would not be
| considered as deciding any principle He consi-
dered that an advantage had been given 10 the
principle contained in the Section, by the fact of
shaxing place in the bill, and having been re-
| ported by the Committee. 1t would be opposed
oy each separate proposition, and might be retain
ed IN that way when a majority was not in favor
| OF It. He thought the best way was to create
blank in the bill, to be filed with any proposition
on which majority could agree. The subject of
convention he said, had been committed to the
| care OIL Committee, not the most friendly to il
and by that Committee the bill had been reported
By this remark he said, he meant no disrespect 10
the Speaker, who had appointed that Committee
nut the committee, thus constituted, were enabled
10 insert the Objectionable principle now attempt
ed TO be stricken out, and to give il the VANTAGE
| ground on that floor. He appealed to the magma
nimity of the friends of Congressional Districts to
vote lor striking it out that all the various pro-
positions might come fairly before the committee:
and having created blank they could begin AZ
'.c very extreme Of the propositions and take the
sense oil the committee on all or until one should
DC lound acceptable to them. If the professions of
genueIneh, OF conciiistion, were sincere, he called
| on them then to make it manifest.
Alter few remarks from Messrs Fitzhupb of
aiiax' Gordon and the Chair, in relation 10 the
Proprlety OF also striking the secondy which de-
Pehded ON the hrst section, and il being considered
improper 10 bring it before the committee. until
the other was disposed of,
Mr. Banks, (the Speaker) rose and remarked
.hat IN consequence oftle insinuation thrown out
oy ,hs member from Harrison, (Mr. Brown he
would avail himself of that occasion Ia Give an
explanation (if, indeed, an explanatian was neces
sary) oil The organization ofthe Committee to whom
had been referred the Conve ntion subject When
the reference of that subject had been made. il
would be recollected that the House bv solemn
| vote, imposed upon him, the invidious and d;s,
sreeaoie duty OF selecting the committee, IL was
the mandate of the House. In complying with
IL, ne had studiously selected gentlemen who were
| ~ ia'or Oh Convention. On the South side of
| James hiver, there were only two members, then
In me House, who had voted for Conventions: and
| ne mad placed them on the Committee. He did
| not think there was single member on the Com
mittee who was not prepared to organize Con-
vention; for,the question of Convention or no Con
vention was not before them. That question had
been settled by the people; and the single duty oil
carrying the will OF the people into ct only re
named 10 be performed. IL was no doubt true
tnat differences OF opinion might exist among the
committee as to the principles on which the Con-
venuon ought to be organized-but of these diff
lerences OF opinion, 1t was impossible that the
Chair could be apprised Ii would be remember.
ed he said. and particularly by one o T the mem
oeIs rom BROOKE tdr. DoddrJge) that al the ses-
sion OF 1917 the same duty had been renuired NJ
the Chair, that of appointing Committee from
CoHsTeSstondt districts, to take another subject
INTO consideration. That gentleman was Al that
time placed on the Committee; and indeed the
Shdir mad then as on the late OCCASION framed the
1oinHittee on the same general principle. If the
rouse mao, I'D pursuance otit Standing rules re-
ier,eu me SUBJECT to a Committee TO be appointed
10 'hc ordinary way, it would have been his st,
dious effort to select Committee known IN him ~
DC hiendiy TO the subject. But on the late occa.
SION ne was restricted within limited boundaries :
.oVA 1dt occasion TO say, that in the DISCHARGES
VI ms PuDhc duties in the Chair ne always hail
ana Always would act upon principles of fairness
au Jusuce so lar as as he was able TO COMPREHEND
mem, fearless Of the consequences IL was enough
ior MIN 10 retain the consciousness that ne Rad
uons 80, no matter what others might think or say
Mr. brown Of Harrison, in reply 10 the Speaker,
remarked, that he did not like the word i,isiuua.
tIOh' tnat ne generally spoke in plain language
AUG maze no insinuatioDs--aDd repeated what he
had said when up before; disclaimiDg also any
intention or wish TO complain of the course of the
choI III the appointment of the Committee n
was bis opinion that the subject ought 10 have
neen referred TO the thorough going friends Of
Convention; aud il they could have been selected
u would have been better as thew vo,ll - -