Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-19
correspondence.
RIcHMosp. Feb. l6. 1876.

RICHMOND, Feb. To- lSd6.
Dear Sir;-On Tuesday, The Convention
Bin was resumed. and Mr.. Scott spoke in
favor Of the Bill Of the Committee, organizing
the Convention ON the mixed basis, and in
opposition to the Bill Of the Minority.
He was followed BY Mr.. Lee, in favor Of
the Bill Of the Minority, and against that Of the
Majority, After he had concluded. the vote
was taken on the substitute, and It was reject
ed by a vote of Ayes 81. Noes ~
MIR. Flowers, had formed the conclusion
that nothing short Of the substitute, would sat
isiy the people Of The West, and, as that had
been rejected, he moved the indefinite post
ponenlento of the Bill Of the Majority
MIR. Scott said tle Bill had received the sup
port Of members coming from the Eastern sec
ton Of the State, because they thought some
thing was due 10 the demands Of the West,
not because they had any idea that the people
of the East wished to have a Convention at
this time. If however, when they, in the on
ly form in which they could tender it, made
this concession, it be refused by those in ODE
dience to whose demands il had been made, il
becomes us 10 enquire whether il be proper
that we, who did not desire Convention,
should force it ON those who did He had
been willing TO vote in good faith for the Bill
had been willing to concede in good faith, so
much to the demands of the West. but il il be
regretted by them--he would vote to give the
Bill the destination which the mover of this
motion desired it should have.
Mr. Southal had said he should vote for this
Bill, but Western gentlemen said they We're
dissatisfied with 1t, and desired its postpone
ment, and to that, as ii was their wish, and they
were the applicants, he would say 'agreed"
After long debate, Mr. Goodwin demand
ed the previous question, which was ordered.
and the Bill was indefinitely postponed by a
vote of Ayes, IS; Noes, 46.
On Wednesday, Mr.. Lyons presented
communication from Joseph C. Cabell, resign
ing the Office of President of the James River
and Canawha Company, which was ordered
to be printed.
On Thursday, the Frederick contested cleo
ton was decided by giving MIR. Carson, one of
the contestants, seat, in place OF Mr. Gather,
one of the returned members.
long discussion took place on the motion
TO reconsider the vote rejecting the Bill to con
tlnue the James River Canal &c Buchanan
The vote wasre-considered by vote of65to63
On MIR. Lyons motion, the Bill, with the
various propositions of other gentlemen, was
referred to a select committee of thirteen. TO
prepare Bill after examining them all, and
TO report the same to the House.
On Friday, the House was engaged on the
Tax Bill, which was ordered to its engross-
ment The Taxes We're reduced ten per cent.
from those of last year, except ON merchants
licences, which were kept at former rates.
There was an effort made on motion of Mr..
Syme, to relieve them from this unjust discrm-
nation, but the House voted it Down.
The debate was upon motionby Mr. Broa-
dus, to re-enact the Tax Bill of the last session.
in lien of the Bill from the Finance Commit
tee. which was rejected by vote of Ayes, So
Noes, II.
The Small Note Bill was rejected in the
Senate by the decisive vote of 90 to j.
On Saturday, a new move was made on the
Convention question. Mr. Mcpherson moved
a resolution for the introduction of the Bill of
last session for taking the sense Of the people
on the propriety of calling a Convention
The resolution was laid on the table, 81 to So.
a motion TO take II up was Immediately after
wards successful, and the resolution was adopt
ed. "a to 80.
The House then, after debate, passed very
important Bill concerning trials in criminal
causes. 1t provides for the summoning "a
competent Jurors from the most distant part of
the County from where the crime may be COM
nltted-that the accused shall have the right
OF pre-emptory challenge with regard to eight,
and that twelve 10 try the case shall be chosen
by lot from the remaining sixteen-with other
salutary provisions. Mr. Scott made an able
speech in its favor. A motion to indefinitely
postpone it, failed by forty odd to seventy odd
The University annuity was under discus
SION when the House adjourned NJ