Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-03-22
TO r. L. BYRD, Esq.
FOX TIE ENQUIRER.


On Wednesday, the 9TH instant the resolution from
the House cf Delegates authorizing the Treasurer to
receive the States proportion oil the proceeds OF inc
sales OF the public lands, read at the Clerk Ia
bic Of the Senate, and motion was at once suonleo
to commit il TO the Committee on General Laws MS
motion gave rise to much discussion, III which took
part expressed the desire that The resolution should
not be acted Immediately; but was not sa'isied
that the proper to commit it TO the Commit
tee desired that it should be permitted to lie on the
table The motion was earnestly opposed by the Wings
and voted against it, with the hope oil carrying mo-
lion TO lay on The table until the next morning.
The motion to commit lost: every Wing voting
against, and all the opposite party (stric:y) for IT,
1t very obvious that both parties at that time
opposed TO laying the table. In the discussion on
the motion to commit had thrown out the opinion
that the money ought 10 be received; but the law
should be retained it is, unless 1t were entirely re-
pealed So soon as The motion 10 commit was decided
in The negative the resolution being its passage, the
amendment to this effect offered. Delay beng re-
fused, | thereby called on 10 vote directly on the
proposition which said, in debate, and which, IN my
conscience, approved. voted for H. 1t was them aud
not until them that appealed to, to present the
proposition for which had voted in separate resou-
lion; having to vote both together some Senators
would be embarrassed in the final vote. was unwii-
ling, as had said 10 embarrass any one, provided
could avoid 1t without embarrassing myself Upon little
reflection and hasty consultation with friend, saw,
that by moving separate resolution, | might attain
both Objects could in that mode vote my own pre-
ferences and accommodate others ! therefore moved
the reconsideration, which lost by tie vote. Mr.
Conrad moved substitute 10 the resolution as amended
and Mr.. Lyons moved to amend MIR. Conrads substi-
tute. Here, then, were the original resolution amend.
ed BY Of the Senate Mr. Conrad substitute and
Mr. Lyons amendment thereto, all before the Be-
nate, aud the only opportunity allowed tor proper
ly understanding these several papers, respectively
or collectively was hearing them read by the Speaker.
At this stage, moved that the whole subject be per-
United to lie the table for one day This motion
was lost by decided vote-nelther party voting
for it. The question then required on Lyons amend
ment to Conrads substitute | voted IN The negative
Conrads substitute then up, for which voted;
but which lost all of party and several OF the
other voting in the negative The question tren re-
Cured the passage of the resolution as 1t was amend
ed which, in effect, that the Treasurer should re-
ceive Virginas quota Of the Distribution fund, and
ns;ructng Senators In vote against change OF
TIE law in a given particular voted for this reso-
luton which lost-neitier party voting for it
Now | learn That the whole responsibility OF The
loss of the resolution sent 10 the Senate from the
House of Delegates, is charged me- on the ground,
that | voted for amendment to 1t, which mao
distinctly announced my approval of, and which
asked time so to frame that it might not embarrass
the original resolution; in which was refused. Let
us Sec though how this vote facilitated the condl-
ton to which the question is now brought 1t is
known, that with my the Wing party are
Just equal to their opponents 1t requires majority
10 pass bill or resoution tie vote condemns an al
sequently have been adopted without my vote In con.
sequence of the adoption of the amendment, several
members voted against the resolution, who would have
voted for it unamended. The question then suggests
ITSELF unavoidably what would have been the fate o.
the resolution, if this amendment had not been en-
grated on it. Could this resolution have passed
without amendment | am hazard dissent
from the accuracy of the statement that it per-
fectly obvious every Senator present, that the orr
cinal resolution, without amendment and an amend
ment similar, if identical, 10 the obnoxious one
could not have passed the Senate. This statement
make TO my constituents and defy and challenge con
tradction to it in any material point. pass by the OBJ
legation Told ashioned if not obsofete) which some may
suppose rests upon Legislator, 10 vele upon questions
presented for his decision according 10 his ccnsc
entions conviction of what is right Perhaps more
fatal political heresy lin the estimate of polticans
could be adopted rule Of action, than the ac-
acknowledgement of such obligation. Yet candor requires
of say, whatever the consequence, that htresy IS
mine. The question, however, is-Am | responsible
for the loss of the resolutions If this statement be
true, it is pal pabe am not Without the amendment
for which voted, the resolution would have been lost
The amendment rendered the resolution more pnatable
to me- thought rendered thereby totally revolving
to others regretted this latter consequence, certain
ly-nevertheess the objectionable offence of voting TO
please myself and my constituents, and not TO crafty
other Senator's deliberately designed and PerPelra