Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-01-22
From the Rockingham Register.
RICHMOND. January 18th. lS4

q = -
RICHMOND, January 18th, 1876
The meeting Of the friends Of Convention,
referred 10 in former letter, was held on
the evening Of the 9th inst, and was organ
lied by the appointment Of S. E. Good
ry.
AresOlution was offered by Mr. Pendleton,
/ IN substance, as follows: 'ResolUed, That
the friends OF a conyention will vote for no
bill, that does not recognize the white basis,
as the basis ct representation in the Conven-
tion.' f
Mr.. Callaher made few remarks, in
which he said that he represented district
In which there are large number of slaves,
and he did not know what were the views oi
his constituents upon the subject. There had
been several meetings in his district upon the
subject of Convention, and in none Of them,
was there any opinion expressed upon the sub
ject ofthe basis of representation. He remark
ed, that he was in favor Of submitting this
question Of the basis of representation 10 the
people; and if they decided in favor Of either
the white or mixed basis, he was willing to
carry out their wsi es.
Mr. Moore said he came here entirely IN.
apprIsed Of tie object Of the meeting. He was
in favor of the white basis, but he was willing
to Vote for a bill, submitting to the people the
question, of the basis of representation. lie
believed there was an overwhelming
majority Of the people in favor Of the " hiie
bass.
Mr.. Gallaher offered substitute to Mr.
Pendleton's resolution, the Object of which
was, to submit the question Of the basis Of rep
resentation to the people.
Mr.. McMullen said, he appealed to the
friends Of a Convention to accept the subsi-
tute offered by the gentleman from Frederick.
Upon this important question, he wished
not to know the Blue Ridge as line OF sep
aration between the east and the west; he
went for Virginia as she is, one and insepara-
be-
Mr.. Leftwich said, the propostin Ct the
gentleman from Frederick was entirely i'm
practicable, and that the question mus; be sub
United to the people In some practicable iorin.
That there would be two or three propositions
submitted by the committee, one To base rep
resentaton in the Convention upon the same
basis that the Legislature is now based
Another upon the basis of taxation and popula-
ton combined, and perhaps third upon the
white basis. All these different schemes
could not be submitted to the people
Mr.. Caperton remarked, that the gentleman
from Frederick said he was in favor ola Con
venton based upon the white basis; yet he
wishes to complete question with The simple
isolated position, which he conceived to be i'm
practable. He was in favor of the white
basis, and he would make this sine qua non,
In any bill for the cal. of Convention
Mr.. Mcpherson said, il, would be impossible
uef Couvantinn vii hnnt no aid of cc,n.
of the members from the east, and it was es-
sentia!ly necessary that we should conciliate
some of our eastern brethren for the purpose
of getting Convention at this time. He said
the sceptre was about to depart from the east,
and would be transferred to the west, and
therefore it was necessary 10 try and conciliate
them. He said that in 1890 the east had
white population of about SOC, 900 souls, and
that the west had but 80 600, and in 1910 the
east had but 500, 600, and the west had 372,-
600, and therefore as necessary consequence.
the power of the government must soon be
transferred to the west.
Since the meeting above named was held,
the select committee on the subject Of Con
vention has reported. The majority have re-
ported bill to take the sense of the people up
on the call ola Convention, but they have en-
grated a clause in the bill, basing representa-
ton in the Convention upon the same basis
that the State is now represented in the Legis-
lature. This will certainly be very objection
able to the friends of a Convention in the west.
The minority of the committee have also
made a report, accompanied by bill, which
will be offered in the house, as substitute
for the bill of the majority. In the bill pre-
sented by the minority, the basis of represen
taion is fixed upon the white population ex
clusivelv; which, in my humble opinion, is the
true basis of representation.
The House on yesterday got through with
the contested election from the City Of Will
lamsburg. This contest occupied the House
for nearly five days. 1t finally decided in favor
of MIR. Bowden, the contestant. He gets the
seat by majority of two votes.
The Richmond and Ohio Rail Road bill
was then taken up and various amendments of
fered, and some Of them adopted; which mate
rally changes the bill as reported. There
are several very Objectionable features Still in
the bill; one Of which is. power is granted to
the company to invest 2, GOO OU0 Of dollars in
waste lands in the western portion of Virginia.
for the purpose Of mining, sc. sc. The
whole scheme is nothing but specializing
trick, which is attempted to be palmed off up
on the people Of Virginia by few land job
bers. Yours most respectfully, Nj.
From the Union, January Is. 1916.
THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF
UNDERESTIMATE