Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-11-27
J, do nO, EXIT here in the

slightest degree.
In The arc en-, repub-. Nh people posses I'd an m,
P'wer- IT,, sivere,gutv and tiic government wrr,
united IN Them I, d,rf1.,cni iiere-,he ,ove
reignty wNs az The people bu, the -x~rri>e os IN,
powers at goserntacnt Is committed Ton agents Til,
right oi suffrage - therefore the basis our govern
il'nt. since every voter srrakes the aupo,n men,
~ is 'tficcrs. h'Oce we s.nuld he extremely eau
tipcs az extending II. TIN the cUnirarr while the r..
pc~ensa'Ives snd thcir constituents ilrc 81 numerous
ne" Is u possible Q" pass law whn;h Will favor on,
class and if,ure snother class III peor o.,
Many reasons urge us therefore 10 a,prcacb rs moi,
"a we can TO satisfy the wthe~ Of all But nc yyoul,
require on evIdence of permanent common Interest
with aud atfschn~n; to the soil tn ,p,iic one tu IN,
Figii Of suffrage. Tie wished TO see the whole svs-
ten 81 government, IN the hands OF the pcople-lc
was npposcd {" oil die motions Of rani: ~
Leg the f1Jouiy rule The rights e prIulogenur r.
Hnt entail are sir. The father olnpS up his SONS
ScOrdh ~ bis principles ard when he dies ms
estate - dIvIced among - Cs.iIcn-and n no ,o,
estaie. l. divided aqua iy by the law OF tescen,
IN Two or three generations the largest estates he
come mus siodvIted and the whole aspect q st,ce-
~ - changed There wer. siron,r reasnus C,r cou
Meeting the right cfsuffage certain extent, with
an interest IN the soil Such security was necessary
hu; LET b. moderate. Here we see none of the eau,
ses wi'ich overthrow the ancient republics We are
differently situated from what thcy were. Our in
tcrests ar the same we hlvc nh interests powers
COMMUNICATIVE arc crinbuod-connec,ed together.
hcrc exist no dissensnn between rich and poor but
we are all identified together For these ron sons bn
should be glad to the right of suffrage connected
with the soil, and made moderate rs would be con-
sisIcnt with the acc"nplI shmont OF the object.
Ihe Question was then taken, aud the propostion
20 amGnd the amendment decided in the mega
ptve.-Ayes il-nues IL.
The question then REQUIRED on the proposition OF
Mr. Leigh To amend the original Restitution bv inser
ing the substitute which he had offered and this onc
ton WIS taken, withou, further debate and decided
IN the ncgatve.--Ayes 37--nocs 81.
Mr.. COOKE then offered the following amend
mcnt OF the third resolution reported bv the Lerisla
wlt-Str!lEp ln halo
ton after the word "Rrsovcd," aDd insert
ina, The electors Of all executive, legislative other fnc.
uoaries IN TINS Commonwealth, whose election shall he sun
United directly 10 the people 10y the provisions of any new
consultation or amendment of the OLD be framed by the
Convention now assembled, shall ie:
All white male czeus of United States of The age OF
years or upwards aud resident county. city,
pogh or o'eI electoral district whe ihey shall
oi'tT to vots At the time Of any eltcton except
nat citizens OF the United State. born United States
but without the limits OF the Commonwealth shall moi NOV,
The right OF ii unless they shall have resided therein for
year. immediately preceding the election which they
swan re- ectiTev oitcr to
such election IN tue county, cv ho,onsh or o.hcr electoral
heTe 'hry hHi respectively offer mcse
o! proving such residence TO be plSssIibed by aw.
mat naurazed CITIZENS of the United States sall not enjoy
we s4 mil ~ addition to the qualification Of residence
l"eu Nv TIE next preceding clause. shall have spec
lively acquired by marriage, decent purchase freehold
estate ~ lhnd of the assessed value of dollars
within the Commonwealth Lte To which shall have been
e'ie"ced hy recorded deed, wi) and shall have been
IN possession of tive the space Of before any
election at which they shall respectively offer TO vote the
OF oys the previous residence required by this to be
That shall exercise right Of suffrage at any
election unless lac shall have paid all evies
on hun by law aud legally demanded him. during the two
years Immediately preceding such elections the mode Of proynr
OF dsroVns such payment, il disputed be prescribed by
That no person convicted of any inous offence shall al
. "a enGy or exercise The rsh, of suffrage
ha the right o. suhage shall he enjoyed exercised
by law;) '''' P''i''' 10 NC '''e
BY any person who shall have hecn declared by Law fl
onna to he OF sound mind during the of
dsahIliy;-or,
BY any non commissioned officer soldier seaman
OF marine IN the regular service OF the United States, this
Commonwealth.
The amendq'D ut proposed having been reported by
the Chair
Mar. COOKE said that the Convention was now
In the eighth week of its session. and hnd decided
almost nothing. lie added that not tlstandinp the
aolity with which the various subjects had been dis
cnSsed' II was quite apparent that the committee was
absolutely surfelted with discussion and debate. II
would Ill become him. under such circumstances, to
tresPass on the time and patIencc of the committee
by what was commonly called a 'se, speech" No
tnng was further from his purpose. Indeed, if the
views comprchendcd in the amendment he had lust
offered on the subject of suffrage had been present
cd by any other member, he should have contcntcd
himself, after discussion prolracted, with giving
silent vote IN their support
Under existing circumstances he deemed !, his dutv
TO explain and support those views but would endea-
your TO do 1t with much brevity as possible lie
hoped II would not be considered departure from
this plan 81 brGvlty, TO make few rena rIe on the
two amendments yesterday proposed by the gentle
man from Spoitsyvania, (Mr. Sianardl as he should
III explaining the which induced hun 20 vote
81 iRs d Pen III ih the gCSH 81 I "fa 3D. present
those which he had ind the honour himself to submit.
The gentleman from SpoitsyIvania had proposed
10 extend the right OF suffrage to
LIST. Every such citizen shall be n lessee Of
tenement of the yearly value of dollars, for
term Of or more years, by deed duly recorded
three months before the time hc nmy offer to vote,
and gf uhich lease at least ye0rs shall be uneE-
pired ut Tie time he 0tSrs 10 cote" And
ID. Every such citizen as shall, within one year
before h. may OFF, to vote, have tGr lures TO Le
dg'ouHi9 assessed OF property, whether real or
personal. owned by him, and shall have actually paid
snch tax or taxes ut least three months before he
shall So offer to vote"
Now SIR. sid Mr.. c., am opposed to both of
these notifications of the right of suffrage, because
Of the Guctuoting apd mutable character of the
qualification they prescribe. / opposed to the
first, because 1t confcfs the right lessee in 1929,
aud dcprvcs him Of it in 1890. In 1920 his lease
has two years 10 run, and hc is votcr--lIc enjoys
share IN the soUereignty IF me couniry:--In 1880
II hrs but ono year to run, and no is dlefrancsed
aud YET he Is The same man--possasses the Same
moral aud into lcctual quuucs--thr same love of