Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-19
General Assembly of Virginia.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Iiednesdny Jan. IL


The resolution offered by Mr.. Watkins on Wednes.
day, for proceeding, Saturday nex to The election o
q Senator, being under consideration
Mr. Watkins said il not his wish or design to
hurry this election 10 take gentlemen by surprise
All would concede that it was an exciting question,
end its constant agitation was we'll calculated to divert
the minds of members from the serious consideration
and thorough investigator of other important subjects
which will occupy the time of this House. The Sena.
toria election far its merits involved
said MIR W, as well be decided hereafter,
for it has assumed all its hearngs-but in relation
other important subjects with which it is likely inter-
fere if postponed TO late period especially the grea,
subject Of Internal improvement which is big with the
fate Of this good old Common wealth. it better be de-
cided now-for, comparatively, We have leisure
ment the committees not having prepared business for
the entire occupation of the time Of the House doubt
not, said MIR. W., The mind Of every member is made
up and ready Tor decision; and have taken my posi-
tion which subsequent events likely 10 change
LIE! it not be presumed, MIR w. said that, having
ceraincd that the probable result would be favorable TO
his views lie was therefore, disposed to close The chap
ter Of accidents He had been prompted, in offering The
resolution, by such reason and as evidence Of
his perfect sincerity in this respect if any member would
say he not prepared for action, and would submit
the motion TO lay the resolution The table, Mr. W.
would vote for 1t.
Mr. DoRMAN moved to lay the resolution on the table
He did not know that the gentleman from Goochand
had got ready so soon. Others were unprepared. IL
was indeed important election aud gentlemen ought
10 be we'll prepared lie thought they required lillle
more notice than three days If The resolution were TO
be adopted, lie thought least they entitled 10 the
usua legal notice OF ten days They ought to have time
to deliberate reflect, and to agree, aud then period
might easily be fixed.
MIR. BAKroS agreed with gentlemen that this
important and exciting question: and that desirable
dispose of it, that other subjects especially Internal
Improvement, might be attended to. But Mr.. b. had
early been schooled in one maxim-"lim Daaaos tt
doaa ftrsncs. Beware of the Greeks. He leured the
from which this resolution sprung But he asked
time TO consummate arrangements. For himself he
was always prepared He was Wing, but he asked no
advantage from the slang Of that name and all he
cared or, was, that the House should have reasonable
time foe consideration.
Mr. WATKINS repeated his wish to acquiesce in any
disposition that the House should make OF the resolution
If gentlemen not prepared, he would not hurry
the election.
Mr Cuvrcnr,EID said he had as little Interest, in The
question most gentlemen. lie was in favor Of laying
the eesouon The table but for different reasons and
perhaps dfTereat motives from those which influenced
some othee gentlemen There were others who felt a
deeper taieres in this subject than he did, though none
were sensible of lis Importance He against
the resolution because he thought the period short
1t had go the other branch, and it must be made
60 suit their views we'll Besides, there
another important election 10 be made Friday, and it
often happened that the more remote was made TO bear
the preceding election. This probably the case
here aud Mr. {. therefore would tor laying The re-
sui1tiuu ltie table.
Mr. STUART though, the better plan would be 10 anne nd
the resolution 1t desirable that some time should
De f1ed lsat gentlemen might compare their views The
subject ough 10 be disposed Of soon. Mr.. S concured
in the oaoion that valuable business could be done
while this question was pending
The question then TAKEN and The motion 10 lay
tlSe resolution on The table regaved by vote Of 80
ayes, %
Mr.. SuERRAED then moved 10 amend the resolution
By striking out Saturday next, and Inserting Saturday,
the Goth inst. MIR mind made up, aud had been
tor soie time. lie felt hesitation the subject but
he willing TO give other gentlemen time. lie thought
the time designated by his amendment sufficient for this
paIpoee
Nc PEYroS moved 10 amend the amendment by sub.
stitutng The third Saturday in February.
Mr. PEYros remarked, that it seemed obviously pro
per him that this election should be deferred 10 the
latest possible period There no necessity Tor i'm
mediate action, had any been offered for this
extraordinary precipitation, whilst there seemed 10 him
to De very satisfactory why it should be deferred
Mr.. p SAID it known that the distinguished indiv-
deal whose term U. S.. Senator would expire on the
3lh of March next had recently defined his position
upon question Of absorbing interest, and that his speech
illustrating his principles and his policy, had not been
Sufficiently disseminated 10 make the people familiar
with them, md enable them to determine whether he
traiy Represents the feelings and wishes Of The Com
monwealth Mr.. p. said he thought il important that
ti.ne should be given for the public mind 10 act upon
this sub jet, and upon this Legislature. He thought
ta the Legislature would be apt 10 reflect
iy the sentiments and wishes Of their constituents
they would wat the deveopemonls growing of the
discussion Of Senator principles and conduct the
important questions connected with the currency.
Mr. F. said that there another argument more in
auentia with him against agilating the Senatorial cleo
ton at so cal period OF the session. 1t this. said
Mr.. L. We have many interesting questions Of State
policy which will command attention during The
present session OF our Legislature, and which require
from their magnitude and importance, that we should
bring their consideration minds unexciled and unpe
JUDGED By party strife. Mr. p said he considered it all
important to the salvation OF these greataneasures that
they should occupy attention in the early part OF the
session, before The party lines strongly drawn and
personal eaousies aroused by the discussion of poll
lical mailer which promised 10 be fruitful of discard
lie said he fearful that the alienation of feeling
which always grew out ofthese political contests, would
affect these, he conceived more important measures
So that, said Mr. PLYToS, in whatever aspect you view
This proposition whether means Of enabling the
members Of this House 10 act undersandngIy, and rem
Ger their votes in accordance with The wishes Of their
constituents, in reference 10 the other vitality import
business which will occupy attention during The
session. il seemed 10 him proper that late day Should
be liked upon.
Mr. SMITH Of K. was one Of those who represented
remote counties, but he asked time; he well
prepared 10 give his vote he should be- The
gentleman tion Boteourt (Mr. Peyton) might wish for
ne to receive instructions from his constituents For
himself, he did not wish 10 receive further information
lie thought the election could be made now the
Inees had generally reported, and other business
did not interfere. He had wish to have log-rolling
and manGuviing as long as Saturday week. lie was
prepared at this instant, like certain distinguished gen.
tleman to to take the responsibility, aud take II at
he should therefore, favor the shortest period
Mr. HAYMoSD declared his readiness TO dispose of this
question without delay If gentlemen were correct that
other subject could be well attended TO, the sooner
this despatched the better. He believed the Legis-
a.ure would do comparatively nothing, until this subject
disposed Of and he prepared 10 vote according
the sentiments Of the people he represented lie
should he had determined 10 do before leaving
nome and preferred doing the eares, possible day
Mr.. BORIS said, that none were better prepared 10
this subject than himself and he could do so at
any day-but such, perhaps was not thel situation oil
some other members He wished give them time for
obtaining further information and he could have no rea-
sonabe objection obtaining il for himself lie favor
ed The most remote period No could be more sem
sibe Of the importance of this election than he was yet
he thought much information could not be obtained
this subject He would wait and learn lie did not