Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-22

Ii.
The right Of the legislature to touch the county
and corporation franchises when such right was
set up. The right to do it was in the people, and
in Conventions its proprieiy might be a matter Of
| consideration.
| Mr.. q. insisted on the propriety of mutual kind
ness and good feeling. The day might come, he
said, when it would be necessary for to stand to
our principles, with the union and trmness Of
hand of brothers Why, then, should we now
quarrel about triiles! II shades of differences *
isted among uson points Of local interest, was it
right to set ourselves up as judges in our own
Cause! He was one who thought that the right OF
government was bottomed upon consent, and not
upon force. Tho first great principle was that
man was capable Of self government and on this
every thing rested-the second was, that the ma
ori'y had the right to rule by the force of public
opinion.
After some illusions to the local situation, and
strength Of our State, her rivers, mountains, SC.
Mr. Gordon expressed his great confidence in, and
attachment to old Virginia, that had always borne
the bruut of battle with such gallant bearing-and
exhcrted all to be animated by the same common
ceiling, the same devotion 10 our common country,
land to cherish the ties by which we had been
long bound together.
He was followed by Mr. Gregory, who advocat-
ed the county system. After Mr. G. had conclu-
ed his remarks,
Mr.. Terrell. called for the ayes and noes-(the
question being on the adoption of Mr.. Fitzhugh's
substitute, in preference 10 Mr. Terrells county
system of representation
MIR. Parker Of N. moved to adjourn-this motion
Jailed, ayes 80, noes 80, the Speaker giving the
casting vote.
Mr.. Meggnson then made another unsuccess-
| full motion to adjourn, when
MIR. Nelson rose, and after referring to the pa
tience with which he had heard all the argu-
men's and propositions of other gentlemen, said,
that as he had off red scheme to the House which
di! no., in any manner trammel the Convention,
he felt it his duty to sustain it. He was proceed
ing in his remarks, when =
MIR. May rose and remarked, that he had sup
posed the proposition upon the adoption of
particular Substitute and that Mr.. Nelson's was
, not before the House. He said he should wish 10
hear that gentleman, and hoping the House would
give him an opportunity to be heard, moved an
adjournment.
And the House then accordingly adjourned.
YEsvERDAY-A Communication was received
from the Senate, that they had passed the bills to
authorise separate election at the town of New
Castle, in Botetourt; and providing against the
mischief of mad dogs-and that they had rejected
the bill to provide for furnishing the Overseers Of
| the poor with the several laws relating to their
| duties.
| Reports were presented from the Committees by
Messrs Bryce, White, of r. Atkinson, of l. of w.
Parker, of Northampton.
CONVEN ION.
On Mr.. Nelson's ion the Convention bill
was then taken up; Mr.. Fitzhugh's amendment
being still under liberation, Ito adopt the Sena-
toral representation the basis of representa- o.
! in the Conventicn.)
4
reply TO val ious views that had been presented by
gentlemen, and in support OF the proposition sub
| mit,ed by himself
! Mr.. Doddridge replied TO him in few remarks.
| The question was then taken by ayes and noes
and Mr.. Fitzhugh's proposition was rejected, Ayes
81 Noes 12l.-(Sse LIST column ofthc Tabular
| StGiemsnt.)
Mr.. Nelson then offered his plan, which divi-
dod The state according to the present Senatorial
districts, calling them Convention Districts, giving
| to each five representatives in Convention, and
on its adoption called for the Ayes and Noes
The question was then taken and the proposition
was negatived, Ayes So, Noes 1l2.-(See 3D. col
| umn.)
| Mr. Do.ldrige next offered an amendment to
give TO each county representation proportiored
| to lis white population; the counties TO be divided
into classes, giving to the lowest class one, and
10 the highest members There were only three
counties of the 4,h class: Richmond City and Nor
| folk Borough to have two members each.
| Mr. Christian OF Charles City, said that he per.
ceived that Williamsburg and James City were en-
ued TO but one member, and enquired on what
principle that ancient City had been disfranchsed.
Ii the principle was disclosed, i. probable that
| 1t might be shown that applying the rule,
some OF the counties might also be excluded He
thought that evey honorable member would vote
| against this exclusion.
Mr.. Doidridge replied that if aritlmctical num-
bers did not give the answer,it could not be given.
| The queslionwas then taken, and Mr.. bod
drige's amendment was rejected, Ayes S5, Noes
1i6.-(See Sd coit.o,n)
Mr.. rutherford presented his amendnen
| which proposed 10 base the representation in the
| Convention on the compound ratio of white popu-
| iaiion and taxation ana called for the AYES and
/, Noes.
f! Mr.. Mason, OF Frederick, rose and remarked
that it was with great reluctance he inruded him
self again upon the House, after the patient at
ten,on he had previously received from tiem-
lie was prepared to go as far as had been propos-
ed by MIR. Nelson's proposition; the mere ground
oil accommodation. BY that proposition much vs. as
| given UP, but the principle for which he and his
constituents contcnded was not surrendered
| by II. But he could not consent TO vote for
any proposition, unless driven by dire necessity,
which did not concede the principle, that the peo
pie alone had the right to govern. The amend
men on which the last vote was taken he thou ht
contained an abandonment Of that great principle
The present proposition certainly abandoned it, The
disparity which II created was rreconcliable will,
All his notions Of mt and OF those of his constituents
as FAR as he understood them. Whilst it allowed
| Warwick one vote, il only gave 10 Frederick four.
i ~ an unjust disparity exist, he thought il
point OF view, that they might at once the ef-
feet of such abandonment lie did not blame gem
ucmen for their votes, for lie understood them 10
represent the will Of their Constituents. He was
acting in obedience TO that Of his own and so long
as he did so, or was influenced by his own convic-
tons, he could never sanction the idea that a ma
ljority OF the people had not the right 10 govern
Mr.. Doddridgc said, that in this sentiment lie
| coucurred freely.
Mr.. Christian, Of Charles City, remarked, that
il the proposition of Mr.. NJ ason be true, that gen
I ileman ought to Npresent their Constituents and
vote according TO their will, il was an abandon
ncnt OF the principle for which they commended.
The people had called upon The House to organize
Conventions; a majority of the counties