Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-30
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HOUSE OF: DELEGATES.


On motion Of Mr.. FrsuER the House took up the bill
concerning Doyles heirs, with The amendments of the
Senate.
Mr. FISHER offered an amendment, and explained its
obects-and then moved to recommit the bill 10 the
committee which brought it in
This motion prevailed.
The House then resumed the Order of the Day-the
bill concerning Western Land Titles.
WESTERN LAND BILL.
Mr.. MAY moved TO postpone this bill until Monday
stating reason that contained many important SUBJ
jects, which lie thought required further time for consi-
Iteration.
Mr. HAERlsos deprecated delay. If no land bill
should pass The House this session, stale Of things
would arise, such he thought member would wish
to see. He thought would be best conclu.
sion this subject in the Committee Of the Whole and
then report the amendments 10 The House.
Mr. MAY then withdrew his motion on the understand.
ing that after The bill and It's amendments reported
to The House by the Committee Of the Whole, the bill
should then be laid upon The table till Monday.
MIR CHAPMAN of NJ, then moved to discharge the
Committee of the Whole from The further consideration
of the BILL and that Committee Of thirteen he appointed
10 prepare amendments
Mr. FISHER hoped the House would moi agree 10 the
proposition it would be great pity 10 lose all that had
now been done. MIR. F. knew of no subject in which the
Commonwealth had deeper interest than she had in
this The question then taken discharging the
Committee Of the Whole from the further consideration
of the Land Tile Bill, and decided in the affirmative
ayes SO. noes 81.
Mr. MAY then moved to lay the bill on the table under
pledge that he would call ii up Monday, which mo-
ton agreed 10.
TUE BILL TO REPEAL TIE NEW ELECTION LAW.
MIR. WATKINS then moved that this bill be indefinitely
postponed.
MIR MALLORY thought that any debate on this bill was
unnecessary; every member had no doubt made mp his
mind on the subject The object proposed by the former
BILL namely 10 prevent voters from voting twice or more
times in different counties, could not easily be accom-
pshed ANY industrious man could ride rapidly round
tiuopS on hp dnv SO
bill was inoperative Another operating 10 repeal
the law was because it violated the ri hls recognised
by the Constitution by which citizens were entitled TO
vote in all counties where they held freehold property
This right the bill violated Another argument against
the law was that the people OF the South were opposed
to j, for reasons which he would not now permit him
self 10 MENTION lie should therefore vote for Tie repeal
of the law. Mr. Nj. Thought the best plan would be 10
confne the elections to April, which would tend to
hasten the return of members home in March. In such
apain matter howeverje would not further debate the
question. 60 ~ '''
MIR. WATKINS went 'isso'an explanation of the rea-
sons which would nduceAih 70 vote against the epea
he especially deprecated the immoral tendency OF the
excitement produced by the system of the old law AS
to the un-mentioned objections, Mr. W. was glad 1t had
not been stated openly here He thought however that
if that valid argument, the gentleman ought 10
object the observance Of Sundays He called atten
ton 10 the fact that Tie elections by precincts and
not at the court houses.
Mr.. TuSsrALL in favor Of The repeal. His maxim
was, 'Rotu7HuS u1cS 'TStHtc "iute'e Ae Pte,e''eu
old things TO all mere novelties and changes The OBJ
ec, aimed tby the BILL Mr. T. contended, had not been
attained lie deprecated an indirect restriction OF
right as much direct one, and in this case the right
Of voting was restricted by ndirection As 10 the ex.
ctemeni complained of, he wished 10 know what evil
that had done' Let there be an excItement-let opl'
MON be left free-and let those who raise the storm
stand its beating. Mir r. said, that since this bill had
passed. the number of votes given in his county had not
been so great as before Mr.. T. advocated the full meet
ings Of the people, and every means being afforded OF
canvnssng the merits Of the several candidates AS 70
the control exercised by voters entitled to vote IN dsr
counties Mr. T. commended that such control was the
legitimate control of the people. MIR. T. wanted 10
know whom this law benefited He did not see the
necessity of the change which had been made and mere
fore lie in favor of the repeal. The doctrine that
Old Virginia ought to change and initiate the example
and conduct of other and mushroom States, Mr. l.
ana not admire did he think ought 10 be followed
Mr.. IEYroS hoped the motion 10 postpone would pre-:
vail The very reasons which the gentleman from ri,t
sylranla Mr IT, had urged against the law, went, he
thought to prove lis expedeEcy The old law and Prac
tice Of elections tended 10 fomcn excitement among