Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-29

was more acceptable than any District Plan. He
made some reply to the illusions that had been
made to the course Of those who had acted With
him from the West.
MIR. Everett defended the West with some zeal
He apprehend that if the vote was RECONSTRUCTED
Senatorial Congressional Districts would be
strongly urged. He was opposed 10 both. If the
bill be recommtted, he would then 90 Tor separate
County Representation, and would give it up for
nothing else. The friends of other plans ought to
beware OF the danger that awaited them. BY the
County Plan, his Senatorial District would have
l-l3th, by Congressional Districts l-2lth, and by
Senatorial Districts 10th, of the Convention 1t
was the interest OF his District go Tor the County
Plan.
In reply, Mr.. Christian said, that if the gentle
man did so, he would find that he had not the same
hackers that he recently had. He had not assert.
ed the existence Of any, but the most fair and hon
orable understanding. Such an understanding had
existed with the small counties in the est, which
they had disregarded, SC.
MIR. Mennis rose TO assure the gentleman from
CabeI (Mr. EveretD that he was not alarmed at
any inumation that the county plan would be re-
vived and would prevail. When he believed that
that gentleman, or even he and his Senatorial
Districts were the Legislature of Virginia, he
should be alarmed at what might fall from him.
He called on Mr.. f. to discharge his duty to his
country, independent Of the course Of other per-
sons. MIR. Nj. said he relied with implicit conf
dence OH any pledge understanding OH the part
OIL Eastern gentlemen. In relation to them he
knew there would be shutting in the ranks
And II the middle country not dead to their IN
,erests; II they were not willing TO yield more than
had been ever asked of them, they would unite
and defeat this odious bill; bill which he said
could be defended upon principle whatever
Ii we are to have no other, he thought il infinitely
oetter 10 have none at ALL and to adjourn-leaving
II to that fund of good sense aud patriotism in the
people, to redeem themselves, and to call a Con-
vention without the interference of the Legsla-
ture, and to call to rigid account those who re
disposed On that floor 10 bargain away or compro-
mis- hair rssrl,t h,, al.
interests for the sacrifice of a third.
MIR. Miller oil Boetourt said he had long since
determined TO take no part in the discussion of the
principle involved in the bill, and was only induc-
ed 10 violate this determination by the motion of
the member from Bredford to reconsider with
the view oil substituting district representation
based upon the census of 1910. Mr.. Nj. said, he
had always preferred the district system and was
prepared 10 sustain it, If based upon The census of
1920. He believed that scheme would 90 farther
to secure to US the know led. C a d talent of the
country in Convention, than any other-it would
certainly secure us from absolute inability and in
experience, from those who want capacity and
trmness TO judge for themselves, and who are. of
course subject TO the will of others-and from the
vanity and influence Of personal and local interest
opposed to the public good But these advanta-
ges he considered subordinate to full and fair ex-
preston OF the will of the free citizens of the
State IN the formation Of the Government. He
relied for the preservation OF our free institutions
on the spirit, intelligence, and vigilance of the
people. These qualities, he considered as essen
tiai In the formation of the government as thew
are IN the constant, regular, and authoritative in
fiuence upon all its movements If you adopt the
proposition OF the member from Bedford which
ensures necessarily vote to consider YOU vir.
tuaily exclude the whole country west of the AL
Ieshahy' which has grown up since 1910, from
any share In the government which you are about
| TO make Tor them. That interesting and GROWING
country VIII have no perceptibe influence i'm
Convention Objectionable, then, Mr.. Nj. said, as
any scheme OF county representation was, the
District SYSTEM based upon the census of 1910
was more vitality obje conable to him. He beg
ged the House TO refuse TO -consider-The pre-
sent bill Certainly approached the wishes of
majority than any other yet proposed. Let us
pause Send our labors to the Senate-The DELHI
erations OF that heightened body NAV suggest a
scheme more &C 'eptable to all.-Time will be
given for subsidence ofthe angry feelings, which
now evidently oppose any probability OF compro-
mise on fair principles here.
Mr. Doddridge remarked that gentlemen did
not agree-some said they would support bill on
the basis OF the census of 1920, others on that of
lolO; and some would not agree TO any Senatorial
bill at all-Did not this show ioo great an uncer
tahty oil what was to happen, if the bill should be
recommitted? Some gentlemen were for that
plan which would come nearer to disfranchise the
middle country. He insisted that the members
who voted OH Saturday for the bill in its present
shape represented wo-thirds of the white popula
ton of the State. They were now called on by
those hostile TO their interests and plans and he
trusted they would not change their course.
Mr.. Witcher insisted that the bill could be sus-
tanned by argument and reason, and be shewn to
De as perfect as any district system whatever
MIR. Allen thought that gentlemen were indebt
ed to the original friends Of county representation
Tor this plan. They, he said, had taken il as a
compromise, and he thought they ought to adhere
to it.
MIR: Nelson opposed the recommment Of
the bill The House he said had been engaged for
.nree weeks and this was the only plan on which
d majority could be had--If we 60 back into com
mittee, the whole ground would have 10 be ira
yelled over, which would unnecessarily take nm
time, and cause an useless expenditure of money.
and, alter all, we might arrive at the same no;nt
Inc people wanted some bill on the subject and he
was disposed to give them one. He thoup bt If
there was more discussion on that floor and less
arrangement out of doors, they might get along bet
ter.
Mr.. Davis of Orange, considered the bill az nm.
Just as it could be. Shenandoah for instance had
Tour members in the Convention, with ponuIa
ton OF say, $1,000, whilst Spottsylvania, Orange
NJ adlson and Louisa, with population Of about
10000, had only four. Shenandoah paid about
.ira only OF the revenue paid by these four coun-
ties: This he could not consent to-
MIR. Witcher said, if you look to the pIan of
Senatorial Districts, you would see dscrenancu
OF ABOUT $4,000 in population, and by Congress
sionai districts, even more than this.
MT. Davis could not concur with Mr. Witcber
MI Eppes said he had never been consulted in
any arrangements. Gentlemen knew that he
would vote for what was equal and lust He
was 10 iavor oil the motion to reconsider; and
wouiu take any better proposition than this, or
almost any, provided the sense of maior;tv o.
IN lavor OF il. He would give no pledge.
The question was then taken and tie motion IN
re- consider lost, ayes 81, noes ITO
Aier 'he blanks were filled Mr.. Christian Of