Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-31

LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
THURSDAY, JAN. A.
House OF DELEGATES.

passed The bill entitled can act authorizing an
exchange of arms with The Stanton Light In.
lantry Company" with an amendment.
The amendment was concurred in by The
House
municaliop from the Lieut.. Governor, enclosing
statements OF the affairs OF the Merchants ant
Mechanics Bank OF Wheeling, up 10 the l2lf
inst; which, on motion Of Mr.. MARTZ, wa:
laid upon the table and ordered 10 be printed.
Mir. FLOWERS presented the following re.
solutions, which, on his motion, were ordered tt
be laid upon The table
Resolred, That We, the Representatives OF The
good people of Virginia, have the most mistaken
confidence in The wisdom, virtue and intelligence
Of our constituents.
Rssolued, That we regard The change Of our
lunta mental law or Constitution as subject Of
the most vital importance.
Rcsclred, That il is expedient and proper Ia re-
fer the whole subject 10 the legally qualified vo-
OF the State al The next Spring election 10 de-
terlnne, Isl, whehler they desire the call ol con
vention I'd, if so, whether that convention shall
be organized upon the principle Of population
and taxation combined, or whether such conven-
lion shall be organized upon free white popula-
ton alone.
BILLS PRESENTED.
To authorize a subscription for The Stale oi
two-ffIhs OF The capital stock Of The Giles, Fayeltr
and Kanawha Turnpike Company;
To provide for The construction of bridge
acros. The Valley River on the Slaunton and Par
kersburg Road;
To amend an act entitled "An act 10 incorporate
the Winchester and Potomac Railroad Compa-
n.y." passed April S.h, 1881;
For the Incorporation Of The Amelia and Not
loway Railroad Company;
Changing the time of holding certain Circnif
Superior Courts VI Law and Chancery therein
mentioned;
Concerning ferry rates;
Directing survey for a turnpike road from
poinl on the Staunton and Clarksburg Road in
Gilmer, 10 The mouth Of Mill Creek on The Ohio
River in Jackson county;
Providing Tor the issuing oil new certificates oi
debt in place OF certain bonds issued By the James
River Company.
The following petitions, &c. were presented and
referred
By Mr. TAYLOR, OF LII citizens Of The
county OF Loudoun, Tor the adoption OF some ge-
neral system OF Education.
By Mr. BROWN OF Hanover Of citizens Of
Hanover, for the establishment Of Precinct
Election at Dentonsvlle, in the county OF Ha
mover
By MIR. EDMUNDS, OF citizens OF The town
and county OF Alexandria, praying the passage
Of provisional law, accepting, by the State Q.
Virginia, the retrocession OF that portion OF The
District Of Columbia lying South of The Potomac
river
BY Mr.. DEFY, of David Corprew, praying that
he may be authorized by law 10 establish Ferry
over Lynnhaven River, and bridge over Long
Creek, in The vicinity OF Lynnhaven Bay
BY Mr.. TURNER Of citizens of Jefferson
county, against the application OF The President
r. oil rlo nd
Harpers Ferry Turnpike Company, 10 be re-
lieyed from keeping in repair that portion Of said
road living in the town Of Charestown.
Also the petition OF said Smithfed, Charles
town, and Harpers Ferry Turnpike Company.
By Mr.. MOSS, three petitions of citizens OF
the county OF Fairfax, for The passage Of pro-
visional law, accepting the retrocession 10 The
State of Virginia of the town and county of Alex
andria, D. C..
By MIR. HOLLADAT, of citizens Of The coun-
lies OF Spollsyvania, Caroline, King George and
Weslmoreland, for repeal OF the act of the 2lsl
February, ls45, relative to fishing with gill Nets.
BY Mr.. MCINTYRE, OF citizens OF the coun
" OF Loudoun, for The adoption OF some general
system OF Education.
By Mr.. MILLER, of citizens of the county OF
Brooke, demonstrating against any change in the
terminus Of The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as
now established by law.
A bill for taking The sense Of the people for The
call of Convention for amending the Couslilu-
lion of this State and for other purposes was
taken up and read the second time; thereupon,
motion was made by MIR. LEFTWICtl 10
amend the same, by striking out all alter The
words, "Be il enacted BY the General Assembly,
and inserting in lieu thereof substitute" The
bill provides that poll shall be opened in the
month Of April next, Tor the purpose Of taking
The sense Of the voters qualified 10 vote for dele
gates 10 the General Assembly, upon The question,
'ShaII there be Convention 10 amend the Con-
sttu,ion Of this Commonwealth? The substitute
proposed the following as The question to be deter
mined by Inc said voters, viz: "Shall there be a
Convention TO amend The Constitution Of The
State, organized upon the basis OF The free white
popula,ion?" In The election Of delegates TO The
Convention, the bill adopts The mixed basis Of re-
presentation, while The substitute leaves the basis
10 The selection OF The qualified voters.
Mr.. LEFTWICH remarked, that in proposing
a substitute for The hill before The House, he
was influenced alone by solemn conviction Of
duty. He felt constrained upon The present oc-
cason TO do all in his power 10 prevent the pas
sage of 4 law, The practical operation OF which
upon The section be represented, would be de-
structiye OF every interest they held dear. His
embarrassment was enhanced by The circum-
variance with those of gentlemen whose honesty
and ability none could doubt. No one in this
House or in Virginia would deny the necessity
of some change in the organic law of The State
| The declining condition of the State demonslra-
| ted the cxistedce OF defects somewhere, either
in the fundamental law or in the system OF legis-
| lalion. The decline OF The State from the frs
| 10 the fourth rank in the Union, was not due
exclusively 10 the defects of the organic law
but 10 the illiberal system OF legislation
adopted Tor the last twenty-five years
The defects OF The Constitution might be RENE
died, but it was more difficult for Virginia 10 re-
cover from her depressed condition-lhe result o.
mistaken policy. The chief objection 10 the
organic law was discovcrable in its formation
Those principles were dsregarded BY its trainers
which We have been taught 10 think were the es
:entia elements Of Republican Government
Tae foundations of the government were laid If
accordance with Republican principles-bnt The
snperstructure was utterly at variance with them
| How could such system be productive OF good
In The Sd Art. of the Bill of Rights was an
nounced the fundamental principle upon which
he would rest his argument. BY that Article, i
is declared that a majority Of The people have lht
right 10 reform, aller or abolish The system o
government. in such manner as shall be judged
most conducive 10 the public veal. Was there
que regard LOT tnlS clause oil Inc Bill oil Rl9Li
in The adoption of the Constitution? Was th
Government established ior,he general happiness
and safety ofthe people? If such were its objects
he regretted 10 say that it had utterly failed il
their accomplishment. Who, according 10 th'
bill OF rights, were The proper Judges 10 decide
when these objects had been attained? Assured
! lythe people. The change in the Constitution
would not be so necessary, if the Legislature hat
been disposed TO make more equal distribution
OF the representation Of The Stale. Complains
would have been silenced, had this course beer
adopted. He would not discuss The minor de
iecls Of The Constitution, relating TO the right Q