Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-14
COW NTION.

gates, Feb. etA, lSi6.
Mr. Sr1ANsS Il feel Re due myse explain the
reasons by which have been governed the which
have pursVd uPNn the Quc.Nn under
and which ndaee - vote tor the bill rcPo ted by the
/ Select Committee
My having bcca chosen - a member OF that committee
has gwen tot attack uPcn the presiding officer
ct this House aud proper that should
thing IN his defence The ground ct compliant the
Speaker - hat he hiss violated the established pariamen
tary usage IN appointing upon the COMMITTEES m,otily oi
those opposed - the object sought be attained by the
| solution Ut reference.
The existence Of n, par tmentary rule IL denied
but does that the Speaker Is liable 70 the
charge vt having violated IT, The resolution directed
inquiry the expedcncy providing by law for the call
OF cunvcntcn, and all that required by the porlia-
menary rule that there should De majority OF the
eommi favorable TO the call Of convention. The
on Of the committee has shown that this provided for
by the Speaker.
Among those favorable the call of convention there
difference OF opinion TO its organization, aud 1t Is
made o; complaint that the control OF the committee
was given the advocates of the white basis IL Ia
reference this question that my appointment has given
Dissatisfaction. The complaint itself be
reasonable and unnecessary; and far opinions
concerned they were entirely unknown TO the Speaker
Win whom no, at that time personally acquainted.
Thus much have deemed proper to IN Justfch-
uon o who has not the opportunity 10 defend hmso
aud will pass the discussion ~ the subject under
side ration, with the single remark that the selection
the committee great care seems to have been taken m give
10 the State share its deliberations.
Before ptoce eding the discussion Of the imperative
merits of the bills, wish explain briefly my posi-
uon reference the
have it true, oired reporting bill favorable the
cell of convention, and ntoad voting for that bill, but
do wish be COMPOUNDED with those who adyocae
convention matter OF choice. Tn the contrary, u X
upon frequent alterations OF the fundamental law gre
evil and would submit many incOnyenences rather
to dangerousa rsmcdy. II fearful thing for
community resolve itself IT. o'Gina. elements and
to undertake the delicate task OF again uniting dissiar
interests and harmonzing It's conflicting passions.
The object OF every written constitution Is protect mi
nores against the expressions OF no'ritcs by imposing
restraints upon the popular WILL and this their
chief excellence. MaIoides, however, always mpa.
iont Of these restraints and every opportunity aft red
change IN The fundamental law they seek
number Of these restraints to weaken the force Thus
the experience Of the States OF this Union shows every
change in organic law marked by sncroachmn
OF mo'ites upon the rights Of minores These steps
the line OF modern progress called extension of pua.
privilege, bat having no fancy for such extensions, am
as general rule, opposed to conventions.
Our present constitution, however though the work Of
body OF wise assembled, the main worthy
OF ats authors, seems TO have three dcecs which
mus', distant day, lead overthrow The frst
tht Is that the basis of representation is emit ely arbitrary
and DOES accommodate itself upon any principle To the
changing condition OF the different portions OF the State
ms m State where the relative population and wealth Of
the different sections rapidly changing, must think
lead 10 4 convention for amendment.
The defects in the bss OF individual sutaye.-
When the trainers oi Constitution abandoned the
hold qushc.u for yot seems they left the best
and SAFE. Of suffrage and ia the effort stop short Of
universal suffrage they have involved the whole subject
Mex, to the freehold basis the most uniform. the most
certain. and the permanent basis that OF fixed
deuce aud the payment Of all arTnmsnt dues; and am
convinced that until that there prospect Of
stability IN fundamental law.
The other defect which have alluded, ~ that
stu'n makes provision to- partial amendments THIS
leads to mbnauon OF all those who dissatisfied
With provision IN the constitution, aud may bring about
the overthrow Of constitution feature OF which i.
approved by majority OF the community.
T.ese IN defects ,rA ng together the
throw Of prescn; constitution, and sized that
be long before their comb ned influence will bring
IA. H FH=~ N-U. HhaW -
nous for convention, and II has many advocates in he
East
The question, then, be presented every
-ervauNe, whether 10y continuing . oppose convention,
he may not Drl about thorough un!On of oil the elements
81 discomfort. watch viii OUy inevitably all
op7os non, b., vu destroy all hope v preserving Tie real
y valuable features and whether
prudent stnd apOi Jud eaye unsafe bands tie emit
coniO. o. movement deeply affecting the wn-le
muuIty. For myself cuuyueca that the
NauTc course i 90 meet the -e now, while tie public
mind calm, AMI Nh, 70 want uf union among the
advocates OF change, there pr spec, OF saving some
thing ya.uaSe Oi tie wreck 0f the present
uDn. have therefore concluded 10 convention
the ea.i 81 evils, though must confess look aTs
90 j. win lear and trembling.
Here, Mr. Speaker, will take occasion 10 say that
there have been gaej, both here and ,where
for tue coil 90 convention, which, i-T II IN inducing
% vote for convention, would have c!-ecty con-
rary tendency Ii has been stated that 1t con-Iicred
desirable by that county systen IA ud BE-
abolished, AID tia; al the minor officers OF government
should he elected by the people; and have so
the independent, tenure OF the ujci. Office. came, be
Ieye that thcTe any seriously apPfehend such
innovations from acunycLtJn called non; II, however,
could be convinced any ether time that such
be fruits n convention. / would ms any re.
trace nv STEPS, and akirg ny stand upon the present
Constitution with al ~ detects, would Esss, the call Of
a convention at every step.
The two bills now under consideration raise the que.
non the proper uTganzauon o; the Convention
OF the majority providing Tor m oiganIza non upon the ba
Ut present House Of Delegates and that o! the
:
Of while p1pu.auDn-and the friends Of tie die plans
arc aryed ID support of the the other proposition
some sup has o. en expr ssed by my WesioIu
tai nts IN tins Hou'e at the ay'wa J my preference ,r the
o ot the lI,rly uud tus Of my Eastern treta.
rsn have pa'uken somewhat Of this surprise.
Wien lc eru suryfis" expressed the taken
by any ore. b=cJnes him well the
VI positions; and 70 the interests Of others
involved IN his action. 10 j. Prpsr hat he should make
known the reasons Tor hs Believing d. that
acting accOriaEce wl'h the Of my
constituents, ard have taken the dictated by cor
rect principle, see ground VI surprise qua-
ter and small cnceaYof 10 remove any itut be it BY
show ing the lT1prety of tie course ! rave taken.
This surprise could not nave nat-d any knowledge
that lad az any time no'iaIued different opinior5-iO
such s MT rUe tlr sud On Tor tupin the
s1tp1 ION that 10 was believed mat different opinions pre-
vailed bro the region of from which me- n
such opinions ao prevail M my county upos bic that
/ should know 1r. W o. 81 the Efforts that have been
mide there by iow Jealous friends Of convention tey
have never been abe tn convention meetng-not
cyrpyf1Is guard and d. y.k 10 tue c1ur,e Of he
De egaes tor the three four years, ud that they
have voted for aud alaius, convention without
complaint question.
The trainers Ci our Constitution, 1u evil hour as /
humb.y conceive divided the Stale four districts
which are entirely uncouneccd far their present..
ton upon ts HUf is concerned. / come from the de
tnct known he Valley Of Virgins. according 10 the
present constitution ina house U hundred and thirty
four u.l.aa'r- 't Na.ty De- euuls five. Ac
cordns the ha-,s " v hiio y t Ended Tor by.
The West the Valley would. upon fyJds1Bof Is4n oae,
delegate end, according The basis asmpoundsd OF
white puaIOn aHI lsza.n, hCn Ii thar col. nded for
by the East, tho Valley would l1se nearly 90 frates
j. however Ne iuok ~ the changes whiRh Rt..ag7ksn
place since hn censu. Of $3.50, ind Tot upon tGn,e
basis the Valley would 100 dat time have Lost b.
gales, while upon The compound of mixed BARS she ud
have nearly gained So Tor, then mere repressE
'nuun in tho Convention BE- orued 1s Nal,y has ~
fhterstil the question VI organization which could Tor
moment weigh 1gru4f correct principle aud clio has boo
terCs n The estlb i-n'ut a either basis new c.rsti
uu.u. which could even tempt her ofrluize the Con.
seHuuu with view o. that object Indeed, if her cole
object were o. gain sectional pJwcr, very doubtful up.