Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-03-14
MONDAY, MARCH II. 1888
Mr.. FAULKNER'S SPEECH,
I The Honse Of Delegates, Feb. Is.

In The H0RSe OF Detegdtes, FEB. IL.
ELECTION OF Az. $. SENATOR.
The joint order of the day for pro.
eeeding to the election of a Senator
being announced
Mr.. Faulkner moved its postpone.
ment until the 31st of March. He
begged to be INDUCED by the House for
few moments, while he assigned the
reasons which prompted him to make
that motion. 1t was not with him
hasty suggestion-springing from the
impulse of political excitement. He
had reflected upon the step and was
/ satisfied gifts propriety. He hadi inter.
changed opinions with many individuals
in the House, in whose judgment he had
confidence. and he was happy to find
that they concurred with him fully.
He was perfectly aware that the motion
would be assailed for its novelty-as
something unprecedented in the legis-
lation of Virginia. That might be so.
Its propriety rested upon the peculiar
circumstances of the times. Were
these ordinary timesl Did the History
of Virginia ever before present an ex-
ample of State totally revolutionized
in its politics and parties since its Gen.
eral Assembly convened? Was the
Legislature ever. before liable to the
shafge, OF acting upon important public
measures, minstructed as to the senti-
ments of the people of Virginia upon
hlese questions? He admitted that un-
der ordinary circumstances such mo-
1on ought not to be sustained-but
there was something in the crisis
something IN the popularity of our re-
1 iations to our constituents, which rem
dered departure from the usual rou-
tine of business upon the present occa-
sion justifiable and proper.
Mr.. Faulkner submitted his motion
without reference TO its operation upon
the prospects of any ofthe candidates,
who might otherwise be put in nomina-
ton for that office. He looked to con-
iderations far beyond the personal for
tunes of any individual. He wished
70 invoke the action of the people of the
State upon the great questions which
have been debated in their Legislative
Halls. He new no mode so efficacious
IN stimulating that expression of opin-
ion us the course which he now indica.
ted. twas proposition which he was
apprehensive might not be acceptable
10 either of the parties in this House.
Both parties were sangline as to the
result OF the electlon--both looked tc
shat result, for the triumph ftheir re.
sp5chve principles. 1t might be a tri
umph OF their principles; but would i
be triumph of the principles of thu
people of Virginia. His appeal was tc
che gentlemen of both sides. And he
submitted it to them whether it was no
more proper--more republican-mort
betting their representative char
scter, to deny to themselves action up
On the subject, until they had ascertain
Cd more truly the sentiments and prin
aPles of the people Of Virginia.
Was there any necessity for proceed
ing to the election of Senator durin!
che present session? If any such ne
eessty could be shewn, he would yielr
she point. But did any exist? fl
Thought not. The term of the presen
incumbent, will expire on the 4th da,
o March next--on that day Congress
Will adjourn. With the commencement
Of another Congress, the General As
sembly of this State will also convene
Was it probable that there would b
an ertra session of Congressq He tho
there was not the remotest probabilit'
OF it-indeed, there was moral Ger
fainty that there would not. We hav
been officially informed by our ager
at Charleston, that South Carolina wi
o. assemble her Convention. Nodout
exists, in that event, of the suspension {
fine Ordinance until after the termins
tson of the first session ofthe next Cor
Sress.-No occasion can therefore b
imagined to occur, in which an extra
ordinary session of that body will be re
quired.-But should such an emerger
W ARISE, which no one can REASONABLE
antlclpate' requiring called session
congress, Virginia would not be III
represented. Besides the able and di
finguished gentleman recently electe
an ample provision existed for film
contemporary vacancy in that bod,
The mode and source of that temporal
appointment might constitute an obe
ton with some. 1t did not with him
It ought not with any. For exclusi'
of the consideration that it will expi
with the meeting of the General a
ssmbly next whtsr3 the issiaspt iise