Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-19
PROGRESS OF THE CoNVEN ZION


The Convention seems fairly under way. They
have not been overburhened with Speeches for the
two last days-hut questions have been taken and
business transacted. than during any days
their protrac,ed session. They have been occupied on
the great subjects Of deliberations viz the Right OF
Suffrage and the Basis Of Representation. Thursday
devoted 10 the foruer, and yesterday almost en-
tirely 70 the latter We presume the Right Of Suffrage
may be considered nearly disposed of. The
provisions which have been adopted, embodied In
the resolution shaped by Mr. Leigh OF Che',er6eh ac-
cording the previous votes of the House. II will be
remarked that most Of the Eastern members voted ul-
tmately against this extension Of Suffrage, and the
Western members fort. Most of the former thought
that the Resolution went too arand most Of the lat
ter. that il did not go far enough.
The Basis OF Representation is not yet adjusted. The
original resolutions of Mr.. Cooke and Of Mr. Upshaw
were yesterday voted out.-Mr. Cookies, basing the
House of Delegates upon the white population alone
and the Senate on Federal Numbers--Mr. Up.hurs
taking Mr.. Gordon's plan of actual apportonment as
subsraum, looked forward TO Ia prospective apporon
men upon fair average of the white population, and
of the Federal numbers in both Houses of the Legs-
latureMr. Upshur, however, declared yesterday, that
he had intended his scheme conciatory compro-
mise to the members OF the West; but az Mr.. Dod-
dridgc had discaimed il in The of the West he had
longer any wish to retain it, and he should therefore,
lutte with other members in voting it out-And it was
accordingly voted out, unanimously with one disn.
guished excepiOn.-Mr. Gordon's resolution met with
better fate. I, adopted by so against 49, The
East voting in favor Of it, and the Vest against il.
Two additional Propositions submitted towards
the close of yesterday Session of Mr.. Leigh OF
c., and the other of Mr.. Cooke OF Frederick-Mr.
Legh's arranging the Representation for the present.
and admitting ts expansion in favor Of the Western
people to certain extent Mr.. Cookies taking kIr.
Gordon's scheme, we presume, for The present, and
making il the duty OF the Legislature coastituted,
to apporton the Legislature after the year $780, and
at the time TO the lands of the Common
wealth
We think II probable, that the subject may reach
something like ultimate decision to-day:-And we
confess when look TO the spirit which cbaracter4es
some Of these propositions, well as the general
Of the proceedings, begin to hope that the
land is almost in sight-that some amcabIe arrange.
ment will be made-and that there is chance of
tranquility for this good Old Comm on wealth When
this question is decided in the Convention IL lie suppos
ed, that Select Committee will be appointed 10 bring
the various resolutions into form; Or in other words to
draft the Constitution. We begin, iadeed, 10 hope
that the members will be relieved from their har.
rassisg aud anxious lsbours;-and that the Conven-
ton may adjourn Z" in all the month Of December"
SKETCH or THE PROCEEDINGS Of CoNyENTIoN
THURSDAY Dec. IL.
The Convention met at III o'clock and was opened
with prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Homer OF the Catholic
RIGHT or SUFFRAGE.
And the question being on Resouiion, offered by
Mr.. WILSON of Monongalis, as amendment to the
Sd Resolution Of the Legislative Committee,
Mr. WILSON modified his amendment, so az 10 read
as follows, VIZ:
RESOLVED, That every free white male citizen, Of
this Commonwealth Of the age of tweniy.on years
and upwards who shall have remained in the State two
years, and In the county in which ne proposes TO vote
year, next preceding the time Of Offering such vote
who shall have been enrolled in the militia il subiec
military dutyj and who shall have paid ali lepies aus
fGres assessed upon him his propertv for the
preceding that in which ne offers TO vote orovied scI
taxes shall have been demanded Of him1 sbaI bav,
right 10 vote Tor members OF the General Assemble
PrOUded That person shall be permitted to exercise
the Right Of Suffrage, who Is Pauper; who is OF IN
sound mind; who has been convicted OF any infamou
crime; or who shall I've a Don-eomms'i stoned officer q
private soldier seaman or marine IN the regular reryic
the United States. ofths Common esth. and IN
Legislature shall prescrse the mode Of trying and De
termining Disputes, concerning the said qualification
Of voters whenever the right Of person to vote cha
be questioned"
And on this question, he asked the yeas and nav
which we're ordered accordingly.
Mr.. JoYNEs moved 10 amend the amendment of MI
WILTON, by striking NJ rerom the words ali Ieyis
sud taxes," aud Inserting 10 LEV thereof the word,