Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-10
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Thursday, March 3.
I'll EE,EIAN nL ~ A.ElAD

Mr.. RrvEs having been nominated by Mr.. Garland of
Meckenburg.
MIR. Rves, if he had any information whether If Mr. r.
elected, he would obey the instructions expunge
the Senates resolution.
Mr.. GARLAND of Nj. said, that in placing Mr. Rives
in nomination, lac had reference To any particular
measure which that gentleman supposed willing
support; he had nominated him individual of high
character, oil long experience public life, and of
nent ability. If he accepted the Office, he would do
with the instructions of the Legislature before him.
MIR. GREGoRY had another question TO ask. lie once
voted for MIR Rves and he did with pleasure because
he then thought him man of sound political prncipcs:
but he asked whether Mr. r. affirmed denied the
right of instruction Mr.. G. wished to know the fact
the records of this House showed that Mr. Rives de
MED that right.
| MIR. GARLAND said he would multiply words upon
this subject 1t sufficient reply to the question of
the gentleman from James City, TO refer him to the pub
lie OF Mr.. Rves lie had given the very best
proof of his regard to the right of instruction. he
instructed two years ago, by the Legislature, pursue
IN the United States Senate which he could
conscicntousy pursue and he carried the principle
by Tesgning his and allowing another be elected
i'm his place. From MIR. G. IS knowledge of the gentle
man political course lie ventured to say, that if MIR r.
accepted The Office, ho would carry out the Instructions
of tile Legislature.
burg and Mr. Rives were issue. He says, that MIR
Rives instructed 10 perform against his con-
science and therefore he resigned But Mr. Rves said
in his letter OF resignation that il the Legislature had in
sructed him do specific thing although opposed To
his opinions, he would ha ycd but that as they
did not SO instruct him. he had alternative but
sign.
Mr.. WATKINS said he was absent in the Senate cham
Der tor few moments, and understood return
that some one in his absence had put him in nomination
for the United States Senate. He took this opportun
ty say that he did not desire nor would he ever nc
cePt any public office beyond that which his constitu
ents required him 10 fill His ambition went no further
than To serve the county of Goochand, and he
would desert 1t while there was Wing in it, while its
ciuzens required his services. 30 much upon that
subject.-Iie understood from the gentleman from
James City, that he under the impression that
| Mr. hiyes had on this hoor given vote against
the right of Instruction. He presumed that the
gentleman referred TO the proceedings in 1890, upon the
Missouri question a motion made by Mr.. Car
rington, fol which MIR. X. voted and a misquotaon
from his remarks that occasion had been widely
circulated by which il made appear that lac had
opposed the right Of instruction. Blu; his constilu-
ents called upon him to explain those proceedings in
1922, and he did to their entire satisfaction II APP
pearcd that he had objected to the phraseoogy of the
solution nsructIng the Senators, because he believed
that 1t involved absolute and unconditional declara-
on that they must obey whereas he believed in the al
Tentative and modified principle, that they must either
obey or resign. As 20 his opinion upon that right
now understood and practised upon lac had shen his
accordance with the Republican principles, by his in
resIgnng his seat when instructions were given him
which he could not obey.
Mr. PRicE said that as the gentleman from Gooch.
land had returned the louse-as his suppostion as to
the gcntiemans anticipation of being nominated had
| not proved correct; aud the gentleman now says
he will not accept the office of Senator he would
Withdraw the nomination. Mr. Z. thought that the gen.
tleman from GoochaHd would have been very propeI
candidate, as there was no doubt that he would have
obeycd the instructions OF the Legislature aud expungcd
the Senaes resolution with the utmost good will As
to the pert remark the gentleman from Scott he would
merely sag that would suppose that he (Mr P)
wished to be Senator as, all other considerations aside
his opinions did not suit the times.
MIR McMCLLES said it had always been his practice
oiepe force by force, and that principle he had
mihaicd the gentleman from Fay cite and Nicholas, but
as that gentleman had Withdrawn the name of the gen.
ileman from Goocand, Mr.. McMlullen would also " it'll
draw lis nomination.
MIR WrrcmrR asked the gentleman from Goochand
whether ii not recorded in the Journal Of lSO that
Mt Riyes voted IN small minority against the right OF
instruction.
/ Mr. WArRiSs said he had not the Journal since
about that period, therefore he could not reply.
Mr. WlrougR. Does he not know that although Mr.
Rves has said and again that he is in favor
of the right Of instructions, he did vote upon that
casion?
Mr. WArEIss. will tell the gentleman what did
| see When MIR. Hives a candidate for Congress in
1922 and came Ia the county Of Goocbland which was
thcn IN his District pct the question 10 him IN relation
20 his vote ia this House. and he then explained 10 my
satisfaction IL appeared that lac considered the word
instruction 10 convey unconditional command taking
from tho Senator The alternative right obey or resign
have seen enough during the present Session Of The
niefences TO be drawn from journals, to know that they
do not always represent man fairly; and If the gentle.
man would look at Mr. Rivess speech published in the
Enquirer ne would find that Mr.. Rves objected 10 the
resolution, because he called upon TO vote for in.
strnciions which let the Senator without discretion
Mr.. WrcHER said that his recollection Of the pro-
ceedngs very different from tat Of the gentleman
from GoOohland. lie believed utat Mr. KiVes was
against he resolution 10 instruct the Senator's because
u contained command, and IN that he could mol
vote for it. Mr. w believed that the gentleman from
Goochond was the FIRST individual who introduced
into resolution the declaration that Senator'S when IN
stfuced, shall obey or resign. Does the gentleman in
tend 10 assert that Mr. Rives is such qubber that he
excused himself Tor his vote IN this House, The ground
That tie instruction of Senators did give them the
alternative Of resigning' Did any ever deny th,
ight OF Senator 70 resign ls seat at any moment
The gentleman from Mecklenburg has been asked wie
Their Mr. Riycs should be elected he would carry on
tlfe expungiog resoutions' lie says that lie dops
know And doubt, said Mr.. w. whether ! could Oh
tain direct 90 Chat question from 'i,y member
~ this House Whether this matter was finally settled
BY t5e two visits last Fall, Of Mr. Van Buren, to Mr.