Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-19

which had been mad. by the member from Pttsyiva-
MIA for the previous question:; and as other gentlemen
who had addressed the Chair on this motion had been
INDUCED by the House in DEPRESSING from the ques-
ton more Immediately under consideration, he hoped
that a similar indulgence would be extended to hun
self if lie should happen 10 travel somewhat beyond
the legitimate line Of debate prescribed By the pnrt-
cnar question before the House The member from
Shenandoah had Offered resolution TO recommll the
report upon the contested election from the county OF
Louisa, with instructions 10 the committee 10 make
report upon the memorial of the citizens OF Louisa,
asking that further time might be allowed them to take
testimony. The Democratic portion Of the citizens of
that county had elected and returned Mr. Lipscomb
as member of the present House of Delegates By
majority of some j. votes. That portion Of its citi-
zens however, number majority Of 100 votes or more
as was shown By the vote IN November last. Mr.. L.
reued his seattle did not surrender the seat to the
contestant He did not abandon the contest las mem.
bers have thought proper CHARGE because he deem
ed it a hopeless on his part-but he resigned his
seat as he himself stated, over his name, in
or perhaps both of the leading journals published in
this City, for reasons Of private and urgent character
connected with his domestic affairs Whether this step
taken by Mr. L. has proven satisfactory TO those who
elected him. and who may be supposed to be better
quainted with the particular nature OF the reasons
which induced his resignation, he (Mr. } was una
Bile to say, indeed any concern OF his; but
this he might be permitted to say that TO himself and the
community abroad generally he believed who have seen
did appear somewhat strange The contest eJpartc
proceeding could be called contesD there without
friend or advocate from the county of Louisa to repre-
sent, aid or explain in behalf Of the majority of her peo
pie The imperfect and defective character OF the tes
umony taken on their part must be obvious TO ALL
They have respectfully aud in most imposing manner
Through the medium oil primary assembly OF the peo-
plr) mcmoriazcd this body 10 grant them time 10 take
further evidence and how has this memorial Of the pto
pie been treated There little difficulty in pro-
mi ctDf
mec. No notice seemed TO have been taken Of it BY
the committee, or at any rate no response report
upon il had been made TO that House. The member
from Shenandoah had offered resolution 10 recommit
this 10 the committee, with instructions to report
the memorial, aud, according TO all usage and cour-
tesy it was expected Tia, he would be allowed assign
the aud state the argument in support Of his
solution. THIS important resolution, involving
as il did, in the udgmen. Of Mr. D., the very gist and
merit of The controversy. But before the question is
pfopoundcd from the Chair, gentleman obtains the
floor and moves the previous question; and in aid oi
this motion 10 apply the gng 10 the minority on this
floor, the member from Sposylvania rises in his place
and calls earnestly the aorty Of this House TO take
the matter in handthat the joke had gone far enough
The respectful and imposing petition which had been
sent this House from the people Of Louisa is made to
slumber here for weeks unnoced and unanswered and
when member ventures 10 raise his voice IN behalf oil
the petitioners and in opposition 10 the views OF the
committee, the maj ory, the numerical force of GER
pariy this floor is earnestly invoked to come for
ward take the matter in hand and apply the gag!
The voice Of the petitioners, representing majority Of
she voters Of the populuus aud respectable county al
Louisa to be husnc!, and the few advocates they
may nave in this House 10 he gagged This pro-
cceding might lie ioke-it might he sport for some;
but j, was lar from being ir others, no, only here
and in the county Of Louisa, Lut in various other
counties, no doubt, of this Commonwealth. If this
was not denying the high righ: and privilege of pc
titinn and freedom of speech, it abrdging and i'm
pairing their great value and efficacy in most mate
rial degree lie (Mr. d. would address himself too
10 the majority which had been emphatcally called
on by the gentleman from Sporsylvania. He would
invoke that majority, they priced their power here,
TO have regard for majoritics elsewhere-nr the
majority in the county Of louisa, and for the me- orlty
in the State--to have regard even Tor the mi
norv Oh tina, floor backed as they were in NoYem.
her last backed, he convinced they still were.
BY decided and growing majority OF the voters OF the
which both parties had assembled in
tina. House 10 represent.
Mr. Speaker Isad Mr.. D } the Committee Of Elec-
tons have brought in report favorable TO the contest
ant (Alr Melton J report in which the majority be-
fore spoken Of seemed disposed 70 concur. Nothing
now remained for them 10 do, but TO call for the final
Of the Housc-the verdict. The decision
OF the committcc in their favour. They had no
occasion for discussion. There was for them
to desire that the grounds correctness of that de-
sion should he canrassed, or in any manner drawn in
question But there many members who could
no, sanction the report Of the committee approve
Of the direction which had been given to this case.
Was the door OF discussion 10 be thus hastily and
harshy closed against them; Was final Judgment to
hc rendered against them in this precp lie and sum
mary manner aud execution done upon the rights, the
interests, the feelings and opinions OF large portion
OF the people of Louisa, who had memorallzed this
satnre on this subject, while their respectful and
reasonable memorial my here nnhceded, and their
friends on this floor held in silence Were they
TO be sheared, heeccd Of their rights, and no man al
lowed to open his mout-to say one word IN arrest OF
Judgment regarded by them so unjust: lie CNir. d.
tusted not. He hoped better things from the magnan
NIFTY the lbcray the courtesy, and, above all from the
sense of Justice which had distinguished the Ge-
neral Assembly of Virginia To pass sentence in such
against the Louisa petitioners would be to in
ct upon them measure OF rigur and severity that 70
not melted out even to the most arocious crimnal-to
he oldbocded murderer who stands doomed 10 death
~ the verdict Of his peers for his bloody deed. Even
before his final sentence pronounced, sasHed, nay,
invited in spirit Of patience and cemcncy TO state
my thing he mi. lit have in his power 10 urge why his
awful judgment should not be pronounced Mr.. ID
hoped the motion for the previous question would not
Dc carried He hoped the House would consider due
n courtesy to the member from Shenandoah-due to
he importance of the proposition which he had sub
nitted-due TO the character Of this casc-due 10 the
petitioners from Lousa-due 10 right and justice, and
1ue To those who considered the testimony taken and
he report made in this imperfect and detective
hat not only the member from Shenandoah, but all
,thrrs who thought proper to participate IN The debate
should be heard on the resolution which had h"en sub
niltrd bv that member. IL was conceded that this con-
est could lie brought 10 close to-day and consc-
uently the contestant will not be able 10 get his seat SO
IS 10 cast his vote Monday next in the election of
United States Senator; hence there could be no occa
ion now for unusual haste the one hand, delay on
he other whether decent indecent, about which so
much had been said
Mr.. TuSsTALL supported the motion
Mr. WILLIAMS asked for the ayes and noes.
The vote was then taken, follows -
Ycas-Messrs Sou,ha (SpeakcT) Cropper, Coles,
Cahe, Stuart, Burwell of g., Mitchell,
: lrmnn, Cardwcll, Broadus, Cotton, Roane, Scott,
Marshall of f., MLaughl'n, Woods, Hale, Gather
Smith of G., Wilkinson E!ssine, Vance, Thompson
Warrington, Donnelly, Tayloe Of K G., Tayoe ot H.
& r., Beard, Ramey, Harrison, Caldwell, orrick, Ilar
ell, Brown of ~, Taylor Of n b. Etheridge, VERIFY,
NJ Connell, Chrathnm, May, Tunsiall, Keen, Burke,
Dey, Elliott, sirother, Robertson Leyburn, Crulch-
i,ld Walker, Stephenson Of Wood-64.
.yoes-Mcssrs Bayly, Wiley, McCue, Byrd, Han
nah, Jackson, Haskns, Meredith, Burlington, CoS'
BurweIl Of G. IL w, Vaughan, Sangser, Deskns
Wood. Johnston Guerrant, Butts Taylor nf II Lee,