Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-22


My. LEIGH moved to rescind the 6!h rule Of the !
Convention which prohibits The consideration IL any
question in the Convention before has been referred
to and considered III Committee of the Whole.
MI. MERCER suggested the propriety of referring
ull these dctale to select committee, formed of Two
or three menijcrs f;um each district.
Mr.. LEIGH said the question was, whether the
rule should berescnded? 1t would he time enough to
consider the proposition of Mr. NJ. after this question
decided.
Mr MERcra replied, that the reference he promo
scd would obvate the necessity ofrcscuiinr the rule
The question was then pu,, and the rule resciudrd
The proposition of Mr.. LEIGH was then taken up
and considered
Mr. LEIGH, i'll favor of his proposition, said that he
did not intend to involve the principles with the de-
tails He was indifferent to he details tcv might
b. moulded 10 SUIT The views of gentlemen.
Mr. LEiGu then spoke Of the feelings of gentlemen
towards his popositio-tha here was !, alousy ex
listing against every thing he offered. His proposition
was more favorable to the than Mr.. G's PROPOSE
ton, and he had hoped o. her gentleman would
hav cfercdt The great difference between the two
Is III relation to future apportonIent Mr. G's pro-
position is based the of white popuIa ion Of
1920, with no provision for future apporliunment
That the question was, ESQ far as MIR. Gordon was
concerned) which OF the two propositions was most
likely to sink tins controversy of the basis of repre-
sentatiom Was not the agitation Of this question Il
greater evil than any good we could obtain from this
1 Convention would CEN pensatv? Did Mr. G believe
that his proposition acceped, would sink this unes-
ton! Ill not this question be- uay sprinpin
| up! Will any constitution settle its VIII not dis
contents exist against any government formed h.
men: Mr. l.. said he would be willing to take the
basis OF The gentleman from Albemirl as the perma-
nent basis II he could b. satisfied was ierancpt
But he satisfied no such thing could be effected
The moment this Convention adourns, the question:
will arise and continue till the community he dissol-
we'd. 1t will and must end in u dissolution of the
Stat; ana he was for avoidugit By any fair and
just means
The gentleman FROM Frederick, (AIr CooEcl was
for taking Mr. Gs plan. and leaving it to the l. cis
lature OF 1870, to tx The future basis At first yw
he was for asserting to the proposition thinking a.
the majority and would he with the rast could
produce no evil Bat it would defeat his great OBJ
iect which! was to sink finally this agitatinr uues
ton There wonld be Il ten years struggle for pow
er i'll the Legislature This is simply procla-
nation of the ten years Trojan War, and
no man can tell what will be the party heats
and feuds which will exist The experiences
OF the last five years controversy, point out some
OF them Mr.. Leigh said, as little as he liked Mr.
u proposition, he preferred it TO Mr.. Cookies be-
cause II would avoid his ten years war and bring
on the contest ami decide it :Innediately He did
not address himself to those who thought one system
| OF government the very best possible form for all
times and under all circums ances, bat hose who
thought government should be adapted to people and
circumstances.
His object had been to give to every distinct in
terest, delegation, and if the west should increase
rs is supposed it will, he had provision TO increas
their delegation from time to time; and also in the
east if it should increase. Mr.. l.. expressed his
doubts however whether the west of he Allegha-
81 ny would increase expected phe face of the
country hethought forbade It lie believed the great
increase would be in the valley and middle country
and AFTER that population became dense, the tide
ter would then fill up.
Mr.: LEIGH said he had hoped this proposition
would have come from the west. He had waited
for 1t, and thing would nave induced him to pro-
pose it, ifhe had not give up al! hopes GIFTS coming
from that quarter.
Mr.. Cooke said the question was the relative lncr
its OF Mr. G's and Mr.. LIS propositions, the alb
stpact merits of either. He believed those gentle
men when they said their propositions tender
ed III the fair spirit of compromise. lie discaimed all
uslr'ss ofany measure from Mr.. l.. He was con
vnced of that gentlemaIs sincerity. lie had al
ways found i!In an open and uuisguised opponent.
lie had heard with surprise that MIR. L. should ex-
press any surprise thai m of the valley should
prefer Mr.. Gs to Mr.. LIS propositions Mr.. Legs,'s
proposition gave TO the east larger number, and set
gave the valley the same. Another reason for pref
ercnCc, is that mr. G. scheme makes the House OF
Delegates consist OF less number, and therefore
cheaper. Mr.. l.. in opposition to his own prncipes
has left it IN the power ofthe Legislature to give all
the additional members they may make to the east
und no check 10 any arbitrary disposition of these
additional members. The limitation III making coun.
ties to the east is guarantee.
There is provision forbidding the Legislature to
apportion all the addj III menbcra,to the counties uow
existing IN the east, aud the Legislature is not com
PEELED 20 make the ten additional western coun
II IS entirely discretionary with them, and even iey
were to add the ten to the west, the probability is
that the roma ming members they might add would be
gwen to the east Could the gentleman believe tn .
west could accept proposition which would leave it
Ill the power of the Legislature to increase even the
present prcponderance Of the east. He did not be-
lieve one west Of the Blue Ridge could be found
10 vote for such proposition He differed will Mr.
Leigh IN the opinion that the amendment proposed
/ by bin M! Cooke J yesterday, would produce a ten
I years war. Ii the constitution be based on equity,
peace and harmony would be the result. but if the
west was to be treated like step child and the VAL
ley title better, then indeed hcart-burnngs and con-
| teBiions must exist.
I Mr.. ScoIr moved to amend by striking out the
WORDS, emo shsll ever be formed Of
the county lying east oftbe Blue Ridge; but, which
was decided in the negative.
to which Only delegate shall in the first instance
be allowed" which was accepted by Mr.. Leirb md
objected to by Mr.. Henderson, and decided in the
negative
were called for