Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-01-15
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
THURSDAY Jan.

THURSDAY Jan. I.
The committee OF roads and internal navga-
ton were discharged from the further consider
ation of the petition of Rober III. Saunders and
other citizens OF the county OF Henrico, in re-
lation to Tuckahoe Creek. Various reports form
the committees were received And resolutions
adopted, which will lie noticed in their pro-
gress.
MIR. Rives of Prince George. moved to take
up the report of the committee OF propositions
and grievances relative TO the right o: Humphrey
BiiluPs to seat in the House
MIR. Bllups wished further time, % obviate
the objections Nude to the evidence he had add
duced, and he saw no necessity for Fastening
the decision of this question. That the coun-
~ OF Mathews paid sufficient into the treasury
TO pay its MEMBERS and it could therefore cost
the commonwealth nothing
Mr.. Gimer said that when hc moved to Law
the report on the table, he was not influenced by
any consideration of personal convenience to
Mr.. Billups; his object was to obtain time for
consideration lie did not look upon the ques-
ton as one OF personal consideration, but of pub
lie concern, and he thought MIR. Billups showed
100 much anxiety to put off the question.
Mr. Hives of Prince George said the course
Mr. b. took was precisely wha. he had anticipa.
ted.-It would be recolcGted that OIL preyious
occasion he had endeavourcd 10 evade the oues
uon-Mr. Rives said he had moved 10 recon-
slider, that MIR. Billups might not have the on
portunity 10 say TO his constituents that he was
absent from the House by reason of indisposi
ton, Mr. Ri~os ahea stated at some length the
,uli ch tha -
$ conduct, IN which he endcavored TO prove
that delay had been the chief object of Mr.. B.
throughout the proceedings Mr.. Rives said suf-
ficient time had been given The election took
place in April last, and even now he would be
willing to postpone the decision if he believed
That any evidence could be produced that Mr..
Il. was not minister of the gospel but he was
satisfied that such was not the case
Mr. finks said he hoped Mr.. Billups' applica-
ton tor further time should be sustained He
had been returned here by n sovereign people
Respect TO them required that time should be
ailowed-lt was n question OF much Importance
and called for great consideration. When Nh.
Bi!iups told the House that he could prove his
eligibility, he thought he was entitled to time to
be herad
MIR. Garland of Nelson said, be hoped that the
resolution would not now be taken up, as it was
a question OF grave Importance and affecting
the eligibility OF member returned to this
House by The people of Mathews-'The Mem
Der states that the testimony by which his elgi.
billty will be clearly established, is within his
reach and will be furnished in two or three DAYS !
and surely when he says so, he does not stand |
Oh LoC-. a..
worthy of credit.-When the House act upon
this matter, if that action should result in the |
of the member, and the decision |
W rong as to the fact, there would be 10 remedy.
the evil would be done. As then this is a cues. |
ton on constitutional eligibility, if the House |
should expell, 1T should be upoa evidence per- |
tectly clear, and not doubtful-Would it NOT be |
better that the House wait some two or tbroo
days, when there was n prospect of ascertain.
ing the facts of this case, than by precinit,,;no,
a decision even at the risk of committinc error
MT. ". sad he was anxious to vote correctly |
As Ike case now stands he must vote against the |
right OF Mr. B.to a seat, but would prefer wa;,ino
short time to ascertain the facts, that he mioht
vote without difficulty.
MIR, BiLups rose to explain ,hs conduct. Mt |
tempting TO show that he lad not endcovorcd
% postpone the question for the purpose of de.
ay.
MIR, Gregory said that although the renor,
vas not laid on the table for the convep;onco
# Mr.. Blllups, yet he had supposed as the oues.
ion was surrounded with difficulties that dine t;mo
you'd be taken. In question of this kind
was of Importance that there should be imam;
nifty for ifa decision be made by small majority
We leave the question in doubt, and there ouch, =,
e no doubt, where a member was Jepived al
us seat on constitutional grounds.
MIR. Atkinson rose and said, as he was inform
d that there was evidence in this CITY which
you'd settle the question, he hoped the IIou,o
you'd take up the subject, and he would sbs,
rove to recommit it TO the Committee of priv
cges and Elections with power to send for nor.
ons and papers, and the question could be- dc.
Idcd in II hours by the Committee.
MIR Wilson said Mr. Biilups had complanod
harshness, he would beg leave 10 state VIVA,
al 'aKcn place in Committee. lie then stated 4.