Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-01
49, As.---,- Sss'-s~s.-@
REPORTED FOR The wlIIG.l
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
NlknNrsnly. Nov. y.

the " noe, Ir Powt:Ir. in tic Chair
The question being on the various motions to fill
the blank in the amendment proposed by the gentle !
man trom Gooc'ard, or Pleasants,l as to the num-
Der of the Senate.
Mr.. S,-v;isus had moved to fill the blank With 50.
MIR. BsorNAN had moved to ill the blank with i9. !
MIR. DoDDEIpGE had moved to fill the blank with |
81.
The question was about to- be taken OH the largest |
number when
Mr.. BAyLY moved to amend the blank with 40 |
Hv stated that when he the report of the Legs-
ls'lve CoTmttec, that TIE number OF the Senate !
should not BE- increased diminished, his mind had
settled down the number he had named
lie once had the honour of seat III the Senate for
eight years, and experience had Taught him thut this
was the proper number. He stated that the Senate
had made amendments III bills which sent to
them by the House of Delegates He also said that
he recollcctcd the session being prolonged week
while there was contest on the subject Of BILL
But he s,atp, that the Senate had been awu-s over
powered. He showed that in the proposed arrauge-
incnt OF 40, the Senue would not be more powerful
thann was with 81, when that number was-uppcined.
The Senatorial District from which he came was
composed OF five counties. The Senator formerly
was man knowing the interests of his constituents
and well known to all Of them but since the new
arrangement, the Senator was scarcely known TO any
or thei He referred Ia tile trade OF his district
The Senate of the State for II years he said was
composed Of the old Virginia gentlemen: but these
had been driven i'om the Senate, because they did
not choose to accept of the sutton He stated the
p!!incipc on which Senator from Accomack was
elected, mud then Ssnatariiom Northaplpton When
every thing hlr nlonioisy; but things had
changed md he thought it vas necessary uou,
10 increase the number restore them to their form
or condition. He spoke of the feelings of the las
tern Shore: of those of the Western Shore lie knew
nothing. Fhe situation of the Eastern Shore is not
peculiar. The cou.i,lcs of Brooke ord Ohio T.
tongue of land, III the Ohio, ought to be as ,nrcl,
Interested in obtaining Senator who was fully and
Universally known. Throughout the whole OF the
State. the TGnie ought TO operuie The
plain farmers now, IN consequence Of the lar,, dis
iricts, cannot BE- supposed to know their Senator;
tthy are obliged to procure their kroU'edse Of the
individual from others. he believed small Senate
could Ecver unite the affections OF the peonla
while the House of Delegates Will ALWAYS be able to
Aave decided advantage over the Se,afe. He had
Looked INTO the Constitutions OF the different States.
Massachusetts, has 10 SENATOR'S This is small Statr
There is closer identity Of interests and a morn
connected intercourse than in tins State; and If
AiasSachuscttS hes 10, Virginia ought to have 60
New Jersey has IL IN hcr Legislative Council and
% IN the other branch, so that the Senate is one
thlfd Pennsylvania has 90 Senators and 70 Iepce
-seihatIvss Virginia has 2I il The Senate, aud ED
III the House of Delegates In North Carolina the
SENATE is 60, and the House Of Commons l2u In
Georgia the Senate is q, aud the House > aud the
Constitution provides that one county shall al.1Jy.
have a Senator Delaware has 9 fenstors, and 51
Representatives. III ORo the Senate is never less
t!Inn one third, than half ofthc IIouse
IL was the same with other States of the West and
the other States confirm the principle that the Sen
ate Is never less than one-hrG nor more than ono
ia!t OF the House. Fifteen Of the States have adop
ted this principle.
One word on the subject ofcxpense. 1t was time
me expense OF the Legislative branch one of the
causes which produced this Convention. Yhe House
OF Delegates Is now cid, and tf.e Senate Cd heinz
S33. According 20 the plan now proposed, the ITnms
"old be 100 ana the Senate 40, being an a rofepate
O. 100, or 10 less than the present number Hers vuid
be considerable saving to numbers and thnre
would be an equal saving to time The Sessions
would be diminished because time is now LOST in d.
putes between the two branches. I. was the prn
vailng opinion when he III the Senate that thar
body ought To have more power. The Senate of the
State is different from that Of the u. States: The
u 3. Senate NAV be compared to an assembly of nm
baSsadors who have duties to perform m ,ho
whole Of the u. States andevcn to fDreipn nations
aud who consequently have great deal of bnsjne &C
to DO lie reminded gentlemen of the great leisure
which the members of the Senate usually have II
often happens that the whole Senate is not more than
20 members ard when you divide this body into com
m'ttees OF seven each you take all the Senate. Blu
sness frequently is delayed to the injury of the nuh
dc He concluded with expressing his intention to
2ue for 4G.
Mr. BALDWIN expressed ar anxiety shat a compro
mise should take place, md he intended nj nrCncr
time. to to strike out the whole of the amend
nent OF the gentleman from Gpochand and inserting
n substitute. lie would respectfully suggest the
PE9prety OF laying the amendments the table, in
order that he might move his propostons
At the suggestion Of the CHAin the motion u,oe /
varied SO es to pass by the resolution and amend
Incnts. ~ !
Mr. DoDpaIDax asked if it was intended Fl ,,o;.o
9; the Senae. '''' '''''
Mr.. hALDwTN answered in the affirmative
Mr.. DoDDRIDGE said, that in that case he should
usk for a division Of The question.
Mr. GERcER then mace few observations on tic
subject OF the incre"se ofthc number of the Senate
end the union in it Of Legislative and Executive
duties, TO both of which he opposed.
Mr.. LEIGH wished the resolution and amendments
to be passed by for few days. and that the Ind
ciA Report be taken up. His object was To- direst
scheme of represent alton which hfhad f,:,chf Of
and which he hoped would unite ali parties ifthe 9th
or side were disposed TO give or take lie wished ~
take the advice of gcutIcRcn on both sides before
he proposed his scheme.
Mr.. DoDDRIDcE asked fit would be inproper n
position. nv
ar. LEIen declined giving any information on tho
subject, until he should have consulted gentlemen on
tie subject. va
Mr. BALDwrx suggested that biz motion was o,I,. !
o mss hv Tie O-IIl q