Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-08-20
0-GEoRcE w. HULL, esq, of Pendleton,
authorized to act as Agent for the Spectator.
REFORM CONVENTION.

"NS'NSS
namely, two from Rockingham and one from
Wheeling.
The Convention held its session in an upper
room of the Court house, assigned to the Federal
Court-a small and confined place, which was ex-
ceedlngly uncomfortable to all except those who
felt themselves privileged to the Seats Why the
large Courtroom was not used, we imagine it
would he difficult satisfactorily to explain Ger
tainly if the people recognized as having any
interest in the proceedings (and there was consi-
derabe number Of the citizens of the county in town
on that day the opportunity ought to have been af
forded them of attending them with some comfort
But let that pass.
| The Convention was called to order by d. W.
PATERSON, esq, who nominated the Delegate from
Wheeling, Mr. JACOBS, as President-a gentle
man whom he considered particularly entitled to
the honor from the fact that he had come all the
way from the other side of the Alleghanies, and
one moreover whom he could recommend as well
qualified for the station
Mr.. JACOBS endeavored to excuse himself, say
ing that although it was true he felt great interest
i'll the Of Constitutional Reform nevertheless
his appearance here was rather accidental He
had business at Lewisburg and at Richmond, and it
suited his convenience to come this way. As to
the particular qualifications for the station ascrbed
TO him, the Partially of his friend he was sure had
greatly overraed them. He had been member of
the Legislature many years ago, but he had forgot
ten nearly all he ever knew of parliamentary rules
The Convention would not excuse him, however,
and he was elected accordmgly.-The organization
| al, l. Al
Presidents and Secretaries.
Committee of five members was then raised tn
prepare business for the action of the Convention.
During the retirement of the Committee, ID. w.
PATTEsoN, esq, essayed TO entertain the Conven-
ton with speech. In the course of his remarks he
instituted comparison between THOMAS w. Dom
and GEORGE WASHINGTON, and boldly and I'M
blushingly asserted again and again that the only
difference between them that one was unsuc-
cessful and the other successful-hat both of them
mad commended for the same great principles of popu-
lar rights! We felt indignant at hearing such SEN
timents from one holding the character of a Dele
gate from Augusta-and Were led to wonder by
what sort of mischance or management he had been
placed in that position.
MIR. SHEFFEY followed in some remarks which
were obviously designed to rebuke the odious doc
trines advanced by Mr.. PATTEsoN-But they were.
we thought, in tones far too gentle for the occa-
sion. 1t is due to Mr.. Shelley to say, however,
that he was prevented from concluding his speech
by the return of the committee.
The Report of the Committee was then read by
the Chairman, Mr.. JAcoBs-for which see the off
cial proceedings in another column.
Mr.. WIN. KINNEY then rose and expressed his
strong dissent from the recommendations of the
Committee. He was opposed to a handful,
such as they were, from three four countless I'M
dertaking to act for fifty or sixty Western
counties, which had not manifested sufficient inter
est i'll the question to be represented here. He be-
lieved that the attempt TO get up another Conven-
ton this year would be vain and fmitless. He was
therefore for referring the matter to the members of
the Legislature friendly to Reform, at their next
session. 1t was the decided sentiment, he said, of
a large number Of the most intelligent friends of
Convention in the West that it was better TO post
pone all farther action the subject until after the
census of 1850, and lie was for referring that mat
ter to the decision of our friends in the Legislature
Mr.. GE,cEn followed in support of the recon-
/
suggestions of Mr.. KINNEY, if carried out as viz
tual hauling down of the Convention Flag. He
was opposed TO them, therefore, and was for con-
tinued and persevering effort and agitation until the
object Of the friends of Reform was accomplished
Mr.. JACOBS next took the foor-He called the
attention Of Mr.. Kinney TO the fact that the resou-
ton of the committee proposing another State Con
vention in blank, and that the time for its as
sembling might be fixed as well after as before the
meeting of the next Legislature. Mr.. KINNEY
here intimated that if the Convention should be
postponed ill next Summer, he would surrender
his objection. Mr.. Jacobs then continued his re-
marks-IIe said he had not heard of the great con
test in Augusta last spring until he met with gen
tleman few days ago at Lewisburg, who told him
of it. The question of organizing Convention on
the White Basis, ne said had not been discussed
much in his section, but he believed that majority
of the people would be in favor of it. For his own
part, he said, he for urging forward the cause
Of Constitutional Reform, with the spirit of free
man and good conservative.
Mr.. G. Johnson said he heartily concurred in |
the views presented by his friend. Mr. GEIGER-
He wished the people to take prompt and decided
action, and back their representatives in the de
mand for their rights.
Mr.. II. w. SURREY also expressed himself in
favor OF present action and the assembling of an
other Convention before She meeting of the Le- |
gislatue
Mr.. DENEALE, of Rockingham, next took the
floor on the same side. lie scorned the idea of re-
ferring the matter TO the members of the LegisIa-