Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-07
RICHMOND, rUJ-RS D.aF, La.NU.aRY 4.


The Convention were on Tuesday in Committee OF
the Whole upon the draft Of Constitution. and went
through It at ono sitting. No very matera, moditca-
tons agreed to. When they got baak into the
House, resolution adopted, at the instance Of
Mr.. Leigh &c, to authoz, thu Select Committee to
appotion the Delegates and Senator, among the seve
raj counties, Sc. SO that the number Of Delegates
should exceed $50, and that the came propor-
ton Of the whole delegation be assigned 20 the four
great divisions Of the State Is observed in Mr. Cor
dons Resolution. This expansion Is Intended to pro-
duce equal and acceptable distribution of pre-
sentation among the several counties Of the State.
The committee Oh superintendent will probably mako
their Report this morning to- morrow.
Yesterday the House proceeded 10 act the nd
Of the Committee Of the Whole, as well as orig.
nal amen ments These will prove interesting to
he reader from of the piquan, Remark. which
they elcitod, than from any direct bearing which they
could have upon the ultimate labours Of the Conven.
ton No question wa. made upon the Basis Of Repre-
s-ntation or the Election of Governor.
Prospect. ar si favorable to the adoption ola Con.
stution. There seems indeed 10 he lit e doubt at pre-
sent entertained the suffice. But what the shape
IL will finally assume, q" the Drponent saith not.
SKETCH OF PROFESSIONALS or TIE CoNvENrroN.
TUESDAY, Jan. s.
The Convention met at III o'clock and was opened
with prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Courtney Of the Msho-
dist Church.
Pursuant to the order of Yesterday the House went
ard in the Chair.
The draft of the new Constitution reported by the
Select Committee, then taken up and read section
by section for amendment.
To the LIST three Sections amendment was offered
The Sd having been read (Which apportons the re-
presentation in the House Of Delegates among the cleo
ton dstrictsD
Mr.. NAYLoR complained of the arrangement par
ticuarly as 10 its bearing the County of Berkeley
and commended that Shenandoah had more than was its
due, when the population of the two counties was
compared and moved that one delegate be taken from
Shenandoah and given TO Berkeley.
MIR. Boyd alter some general remarks the duty
Of equalizang the representation far was consistent
with preserving the existing county lines into
examination OF the distribution of the 81 Representa-
tves assigned to the Valley among its Ia counties He
pointed out the three interests into which the Valley was
divided as the James River interest. the Shenandoah
interest," and the Potomac interest. He complained that
Shenandoah should have 3dcegates and a Senator and
thought 2 delegates all that County could lust
ly claim lie went into number of statistical details
which we cannot embody in the general sketch of the
outlines of the debate, which our limits prescribe TO MS
Mr.. COOKE suggested TO both the gentlemen that
they had better defer their amendment, for the present
anoier motion would shortly be made for so cnarg-
ing the number of the House OF Delegates 10 enable
the Select Committee TO make Just and satisiac.
tory distribution OF the representations while the same
general proportion, at present, prescribed among
the four great divisions of the State.
They thcrcupon consented to withdraw the motion for
tho present.
Mr.CLGrBoNSE suggested it as very desirable that
IL such motion should be made it should be done with
as little delay as possible.
the general subject, il had time since occurred
him, that many practical difficulties and complaints
for the House of Delegates he believed that IAO would
he a number much more easily apportioncd among the
Counties, in the same ratio already agreed upon
That would give 81 to the country, 81
TO the Valley IS the Middle Country and 20 TO the
district on Underwater Mr. c. briefly Showed how this
plan would affect the respective divisions of the State
To try the sense of the Committee he moved TO strike
out 1877 and insert 40.
Mr. LEIGH stated the very great difficulties which
himself and Mr.. Tazewell had experienced in appor-
ionng the 81 delegates assigned to the lower country;
(Which was their task in the Commttee) agreed with
Mr.. Cooke that larger nunber would be much more
readily apportioned, but expressed his wish that the
number should not be fixed, farther than assign
maximum, say $50, beyond which il should not GO
Possibly 10 might prove very convenient but he
thought best TO leave the Committee some discre-
ton He concluded by asking division Of the question
striking out and inserting.
II was divided accordingly and being put first on
striking out,
Mr.. TYLER expressed hi cordial appreciation Of the
suggestion OF Mr.. Leigh. He di.cIaimed all idea Of
sticking for larger representation for his Ds,r
on the plan of House Of 1877 il had had perfect and
rnt7e justice done To il but should the larger number
prevail, an arrangement might be made which would
bind the people OF that District as man to the
dopon OF the new Constitution. They bad, though
with great reluctance, given up county
as mpracicabe but the plan he spoke of would
meet all their wishes.
The question being put striking out the number
1877. II was carried; ayes ST.
Mr. Leigh proposed that the 81 section he passed by
offer resolution expressive ofihc view he had submit.
ted.
Mr. COOKE thercupon Withdrew his motion to insert
40.
On motion Of Mr.. GooDE, the 4,h section also was
passed by.
The 9th section sving bean read az follows:
v. Any person may be elected Senator who ~ All
have attained the OF thirty year,, and shall be ac-
tually resident and reeholder within the district or
duly qualified 10 vote for members Of the General IA
sembly according 10 this Constitution. And any per-
son may be elected a member Of the House of Dele
gates who shall have attained the age O 25 years and
shall be actually resident and freehoder within the
rouny city, town, borough election district, or du
~ qualified 10 vote for members of the General Assem-
bly according TO this Constitution. Provided that all
Ministers Of the Gospel and Priests Of every denomi.
ration, shall be Incapable OF being elected members of
either House Of Assembly.
IL was, on motion Of Mr.. LEIGH, amended, by s,rk
Ing out the words " or duly" before d" qualified 10
vote 10 make that part OF the section read, "any
person may he elected Senator who shall have attain
ed the OF 30 years, and shall be actually resident
and Teehoider within the district qualified to vofe for
members Of the General Assembly"
The same amendment made in the latter part of
the section, to cause 10 read, any person
may he elected member Of the House of Delegates
who shall have attained the age Of % years and shan
he actually resident and freeOIder within the ooun.
~, city, borough election District, qualified 10 pofe
for members Of the General Assembly"
The 9th section then read az follows:
vi. The General Assembly shall meet once or of.
eBer every year. Either House may adjourn itseres.
pectvey. majority OF each House shall constitute
quorum 10 do business; but smaller number may adj
journ from day day, and be authorized compel the
attendance OF absent members n such manner and