Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-10-25
VIRGINIA srApm UosvgN9,oS,

tract for the printing OF the Convention, have dschafg-
ed that duty, and now report to the House that the
contract has been let to WILLIAM CuLLEY (he being
the lowest bidder, the following rates to wit: 80 cts.
per 1000 ems 80 cts per oken and % cts Tor rule and
| figure work, and So so per ream for paper (medium
sze) The ontractorhas given bond and security for
the performance his contract in the manner required
! by the resolution of the Convention.
| Mr.. NJ. GARNETT, a member OF the committee sta
ted there were number Of bids for the printing, and
mentioned one in particular in which the bidder in
dulged in some reflections upon the lmpropr lety of
the contract syste and observed that printers ought
not to be expected to work for nothing so long mem
bers OF the Convention and the Legislature got four
! dollars day
| The report adopted.
| On motion of MIR. Scorr, OF Fauquier it was
| Resolred, That the Secretary cause to be printed
the Auditors statement OF white slave and free cooured
population OF Virginia, and OF federal population, and
white and black theabes prepared and laid before the
| last General Assembly; also the statement OF white
titheabes population and revenue of lS9 with repre-
sentation in the legislature, laid before the
| sion.
On motion OF Mr.. STRoTHER, the rules were so mo-
dhed as 10 permit a member taking an appeal from
decision OF the Chair, TO explain the grounds OF his
| appeal.
| ORDER OF BUSINESS.
On motion OF Mr.. Byrd the report OF the committee
on the proper mode of considering amendments to the
constitution, was taken up
Mr. BYRD inquired if the order of the House passing
by the first resolution of the committee flor commit
tee of "a, taken in equal numbers from the four grand
divisions on the basis question: had effect longer than
one day
| The Chair said it had.
Mr.. B. then, at the suggestion OF Mr.. ScoTT, OF F.,
moved to take up the rst resolution, which was agreed
Mr.. STANARD said he would briefly state his objec-
tons to this first resolution With respect all
the commit tees except the first the usual parliament
ary mode was followed OF leaving the appoint ment to
the Chair but, the first resolution departed from that
mode, and restricted the Chair appointing equal
number from the respective geographical divisions
Hecontended that this departure was unwise Sections
al organization ought not to have been recognized at
all but if it recognized, he insisted that the re-
presentation in the committee ought to have been in
proportion to the representation in that body He said
he not responsible for the necessity of making this
opposition. 1t was created by the fact that the report
had raised the question With all respect and kindness
| f. gentlemen from the Valley, many OF whom
his personal trends, he could not that they
should have equal power with each OF the two Eastern
divisions. HI had proposed 70 offer an amendment,
that the committee be organized according the repre-
sentaon of the different divisions in the Convention.
But other gentlemen, IN whose judgment he placed the
highest confidence thought it would be better strike
out from the resolution everything of sectional charac-
ter And he gave notice that before he took his seat
he would offer amendment that committee of 25 be
appointed to consider the basis OF repesen aion &c.,
saying nothing of sectional divisions. The odd number
selected in conformity with the usual practice OF de-
! Lucrative bodies. The issue would be between
miliee recognising setonal distinctions, and appoint
ed according to common parliamentary usage. The
object OF a committee was smpl y to aid the action OF
the House, and he argued that this object would he en-
rely defeated by constituting the committee as the esc-
|
two reports. The House might have to resor! to the
harsh measure of dischargng the committee
Mr.. S. concluded by offering the following amend
ment:
| That committee of25 members be appointed to take
into consideration and report proper basis OF represent
ation in the two houses os the General Assembly, and
a proper apportionment Of representation among the
people OF this Commonwealth.
Mr.. Chiffon, OF Fanquler, wished to submit few
marks in opposition to the amendment. He represent
ed Eastern district and expected to show strong
| ano Oft hTpon IN fhary
but he regretted very much that any opposition had
been made to the report OF the committee OF IL. He
argued that the organization OF the committee ON the
basis, proper The other committees, unlike this
involved no question OF sectional character Alter
speaking strongly of the high character OF the gente-
who constituted the committee OF Is, he saidi was
well known that they unanimously concurred in their
report. They might justly have had regard to The POI
ston of the President who could not be supposed to
have the responsibility OF organizing The conmues !,
thrown upon him. As to the argument yi.s tie i&ss
being majority ought to insist upon 6 gaa5ol,sg ia
they committee: he thought malorities could always
aiordto be liberal. For himself he would hod perfS&,
Western gentlemen to go home and say, that IN any
form, the Eastern majority had acted harshly towards
the minority: he did not consider the report of the
committee matter ofso much consequence. He did
not believe that the Convention would get Constnu-
ton in perfect FROM sprngng Minerva like from some
Jupiter. They would rather have to adopt the bear
process OF licking the cub into shape. He hoped other
Eastern gentlemen concurred in his views, and that
they would vote as to get rid OF this unnecessary diff
fculty in the beginning.
Mr.. BROWN, OF Preston, thought the West entitled to
majority in the committee. TWAS the party propo-
sing reform, and it was but common courtesy to allow
it majority to enable it to present its PLAN Nevertheless
for sundrY considerations might be better give the
two sections equal number the committee. 1t
might have good effect, to balance the parties
to ensure the greatest amount OF elaboration. He
alluded the possibility that Western views might be
made prevail with the mmittee there were some
Eastern members who agreed with the West, but no
| Western member who agreed with the East.
Mr.; SoUTHALL deprecated as much as any man, the
introduction OF geographical distinctions and feelings
Referring the great delay which had already occurred
in the business of the body he argued that the only OBJ
jec OF a committee was to come to some conclusion,
and that a committee of equal numbers from the East
and the West could not accomplish that object, unless
indeed, as had been nsnuated by the gentleman from
Preston, the President should Sc ect some Eastern
members who concumed with the West. For himself,
il such committee were agreed upon, ha should be
glad the President should constitute it to give
Western views the lreponderance 1t would have the
effect Of producing conclusion Believing that the
| amendment offered by the gentleman from Richmond,
SIMPLY followed the ordinary preliminary practice, he
might proceed efiectually with the business.
Mr. CAPERToN, of Monroe, had heard nothing
urged, which changed his opinion OF the propriey OF
the organization OF the committees proposed ia the re-
| port. lie argued that every parliamentary body had
complete control over the manner OF appointing its
committees. In regard 10 the constitution OF the COM
mitee on the basis question, he took the view that this
question upon which the body divided, and
question yet to be decided. The committee of hir
teen had wisely inclined to neither side. The PROPOSE
ton in the amendment involved, by implication, the
assumption that the committee should be organized
upon the basis ofthe present constitution (Which nobody
contended was just,) or upon the basis of this body;
| thus assuming to decide in advance against the West
He concurred in the view OF Mr.. Brown. that parlia-
mentary usage would accord the majority Of the
mittee to the West which was proposing change of
the basis. He adduced authority for this opinion the
course Of Mr.. Goode OF Mecklenburg, who, when
Speaker of the House of Delegates, constituted the
| committee Roads with majority of Internal Ia.
provement men, But he did not claim the majority
He preferred the equal number, believing that it would
result in more justice and more fairness.
MIR. SMITH, of Greenbrier, saw no sembance of good
or sufficient reason for change ofthe recommendation
OF the committee of 10. He thought the magnitude of
the subject sufficient reason for departing from the
ordinary parliamentary mode Of appointing commit
Consider sas es abc be onna esouon
the East and West on a perfect equality. Why did
this principle OF equality SO much alarm Eastern
gentlemen! 1t had been excluded in the fundamental
law excluded in the law authorizing this Convention
and now it proposed to be excluded in the first
proceedings OF this body. He characterized the amend
ment OF Mr., STANARp as firebrand thrown into the