Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-23
GENERAL ASSEMBLY or vIRGINn
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
TmuRspAr, Jan. rs.


Mr. 0aEooay gave notice On yesterday, that he
should to-day Joint resolution TO 90 into the
election Of United States Senator to supply the
vacancy that would erise by the expiration OF the
term Of service Of Wm. ii. Roane, ESQ. He had
announced his intention Of moving to 20 into the
election on Monday next-but, on consultation with
many members Of both parties, he had aseertained
tha, Monday next would be very inc onvenient day
convenience, fixed upon Monday, the LIST day OF
February. He now moved that they 60 into the
election on Monday, the LIST Of February.
Mr. STEPHENSON Of Tyler moved to amend the
resolution, by substituting Tor MONDAY 'he iss OF
February, Monday, the Esd February. As the Sc
nate vas now full by the election OF MIR. Rves, and
their new Senator could not take his seat until after
the 4th March next, he was disposed 10 allow the
gentlemen on the opposite side oil the House as much
time as they could reasonably desire, so that the
election cases. about which they appeared 10 very
anxious, might be decided,
Mr. GREcoRY could not agree 10 the amendment
lust proposed. He had already put OH the Gay
which lie had originally fixed upon, and should 60
no further II the matter was TO be postponed until
the 23d Of February, he thought that many gentle
men now present would be at their homes, and he
hoped the House adjourned. The principal reason
of The gentleman from Tyler was, that by the Esd
February the contested elections would be gone
through. Now, although he was as willing as any
member that every county should be fairly repre-
sened vet he considered II matter oil much great
err importance that the State at large should be re
presented, Than any one county mn. he eouio NOT
agree 10 the amendment for another reason; lie
had heard that the resolution which he had propo-
sed would not meet with the appreciation OF another
branch ofthe Legislature, and he wanted TO offer
similar one from day 10 day. in order that the coun'
try might understand how this matter stood ;-lor
this reason also, he was against delay, and he did
hope that il would be the pleasure OF the House to
pass his resolution IL would be impossible to APP
point day for going into this election, that wenld
not be iuconvenent TO some members; but they were
a. ,L,rg hair dutt n n
had rshtto make any sacrifices OF personal con-
veniencc or private business.
Mr.. DoRMAN had drawn up amendment TO
the amendment, which would, he hoped, be accept
ed as compromise by the two gentlemen. lie
proposed Monday, the S,h OF February.
Mr.. STEPHENSON accepted the amendment
MIR. GREcoRY could not consent to accept it-He
would have preferred TO have gone into the election
ut once.
Mr.. Burrs hoped the House would not agree TO
the resolution fixing upon the LIST Of February-lt
would be announcement TO many membsrs-one he
knew could not be here on that day.
Mr.. DABSEr moved that the resolution and
amendments be laid upon the table. The House
was now very thin, and he did not perceive the
urgent necessity Of fixing any day at that time
they all knew that the Senator TO be elected did not
90 into office until efter the 4th Of March, so that
the election, if il took place at ALL might just as
well take place at any other period oil the session
as the day designated in the resolution or amend
ments.
MIR. YERpY hoped the House would not lay the
resolution on the ,able-lt was their duty TO dis
charge the obligation imposed upon them by the
Constitution, and proceed TO the election oil Sena-
tor or rather shew their readiness so 10 proceed-if
the motion was defeated elsewhere, the country
would then know that the blame rested not with
them.
Mr.. RIDLEY supported the motion for laying the
resolution with the amendments, upon the table.
Mr.. DoRMAN opposed the motion.
Mr. CALDWELL was indisposed to going into the
matter until the election contests were decided and
should therefore, vote for laying them upon the Ia
BILE until il was ascertalned when these contests were
likely TO be decided
Mr.. Scorr did not know how long gentlemen
meant to remain in the city, nor how long they in
tended the House to SIT but this he knew, If they
intended to sit there until all the various contested
elections were decided, judging from the rapid pro-
gress made in the Louisa case, they would spend
The better part Of the summer here-He opposed
the laying the resolutions upon the table.
MIR. GREGORY opposed the motion.
Mr.. TussrALL hoped the House would not con-
sent 10 lay these resolutions upon the table-He did
not believe there a single man IN the House
who was not just well prepared to give his vote
upon the question now, as he would be month
bence-He regretted that the people had not their
eyes open rs to the way they did business here-lt
would he spectacle for the dearly beloved people
and constituents whose interests they were all so
anxious to protect and guard. They came there
the LIST day Of December, and one oil their trst
do that there several contested elections, and
they must get up debates upon the very important
question as who were the proper individuals en-
titled to their seats-i that grave reason could stop
business for the past week 1t would stop 1t to the
end OF the chapter, and they should exhibit the mo-
raj spectacle OF grave legislators, celebrating for
three months as 10 who entitled 10 seats the
floor, and then af.er they had settled that very I'M
portnnt affair. they would gravely adjourn 10 the
next day. Surely some stop would be put 10 this
toIo n length. ed
the waste OF time by that House, and urged the ne
cessty OF immediate action IN the matter now be-
fore them, as no business would be done until this
exciting subject was disposed OF
Mr. DABsEY's motion was then put-Ayes 81,
noes 66-consequenty II was lost.
MIR. Brown OF Preston, rose TO propose Monday
the 18th February, instead oil the 9Th.
Mr.. RIDLEY hoped he would select some other
day, as, IN all probability he would be compelled 10
be absent on that day.
Mr.. MAY would move to amend the resolution,
by inserting Friday, the 18th February. There
was not, he believed, any Court held on that day,
that it would probably suit all parties as well as
any other.
Mr. BAYLr had voted for laying the resolutions
on the table, because he thought that there would
be time enough to 90 into this matter when the
tested elections were settled, and If there was any
probability of those elections being seted by the
18th, he would vote for the amendment. There
was no necessity for haste in this case and he should
be opposed TO going into this election until all the
contested seats were properly filled. lie was,
however for settling this election this winter, and
he desired that this might be distinctly known.
Mr.. LAscHoRNE's sincere regard TOR the Demo-
cratic Representatives Of the "Dear People," would
compel him to for going into the election on the
earliest day. He could not think Of keeping his
worthy friends in suspense longer than neces-
sary.
Mr.. STEPHENSON Of Tyler would vote for the
amendment.
MIR. Coles hoped the House would proceed with
their business rs fast as they could. They had
been here now more than fifty days and had scarcely
transacted any Of the public business. These ex-
citing subjects were constantly thrusting themselves
into all their deliberations, and If they postponed
this matter and took up the contested elections they
should have the sa ne scenes played over again as
they witnessed IN the Louisa case. IL this election
were not decided, all their contested elections would
occupy at least double the time. They had JUS,
go0e through one election for u. S. Senator, and
every seat on the floor almost, was occupied; they
could never hope TO have the House more full than
upon that occasion. He was, therefore, for going
into the election at once, and was opposed to any
unnecessary delay.
Mr. GooDE opposed the going into this election
until the contested elections settled; f il WERE
~ gentlemen on the Other side stated, that these
exciting subjects were obtrudIng themselves ut oil
times, TO the exclusion OF business II was no fault
nj the party with which he acted, for they Certainly
did not introduce the resolutions, nor thrust the
matter upon the consideration Of the House Thew
ought to defer going into this election until the
House may be brought into a condition in which IL
A 81 I'll n a. D.