Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-11-11

January and February? And then again, ifthe
expense OF holding the convention is to have
weight in this consideration, will not the ex-
pense be Just as great for the months of January
and February as for the mouths of November
and December You " Ill have to take the time
and incur the expense and the only question
is, will YOU take il now, or during the coming
year! VIII you discharge your duty now, OF
will you postpone it for two months
! But may we not most profitably employ these
two months in the consideration Of the impor-
tant subjects before us! My friend who sits on
my extreme right my colleague, my Lyons)
alluded to the County Court sy stem as one " hich
would require our action. and il is one which
would be considered withou, reference at all TO
this question OF the basis OF representation. But
suppose we should go home without action on
this question now, and perchance my friend
from Accomac, upon landing at that beautiful
estuary known as Cherrystone5 should meet one
of that intelligent constituency Of his. He would
greet my friend most cordially, and tell him he
was happy to see him, and glad to find that his
labors had so soon closed "You made for US q
good constitution, have no doubt" he might
say, "and you did it in admirable haste" ooh,
no." must be the reply Of my friend, II have no
constitution for you've have made none-we
had not obtained the necessary information on
the subject" well, what have you done, then q
|
nothing-nothing at all; we elected President,
elected sergeant-at-arms; appointed a few Off
GERS organized committees, and called on the
Auditor TO furnish us volume of 1000 pages at
least, and when he shall have done that, we
shall be ready TO 90 back and make You a con-
stitution." "But," will say my friends constit-
uent, "yon have done nothing in regard to that
great and crying grievance in the great county
of Accomac, which worked ont so astonishingly
| fbora for fbo
old County Court system-have you done moth
ing III relation to that z" "No," must be my
friends reply 1--WE have done nothing in rela.
ton to that we could not do anything until we
got an accurate return of the entire white popu-
lation of Virginia." And SO with my triond
| from Halifax, when he is called on for an ac-
count of what he has done his reply must be,
that he could do nothing in regard to the ques-
tions entrusted to his care, because the basis
question was not settled. Sir, if the gentlemen
felt as do, in relation to the heavy RESPONSE
bility in this matter, they would not feel Salts
fled with such reasons for The immediate adj
iournment of this body
Why, then, shall we not go on in the work
we have commenced? Why, at least, cannot
we commence and reform the County Court -
! The committee are engaged in the consideration
of that subject, and will be prepared to report
upon il in eight or ten days at most, and why
work has to be done, and we cannot get away
from it either now or during the coming year.
Why, then, should we not commence upon it?
What possible connection can there be, | ask,
between a county court systeman basis OF rep
sentation! What connection can there be be.
tween the regulation of county police, the
election OF clerks, the appointment Of sherifs,
and the selection of municipal officers and the
establishment of a basis of representation The
census returns can shed no light or information
on these sub jects at least, and why should We
not enter upon their consideration at once? 1t
does appear TO me that there cannot be any ne
cessary connection between the census returns
and the organization of the Circuit Courts for
example. Does my friend from Halifax mean
to say, in regard TO the organization of the Cir
cult Court system E the basis of representation
that there is anything to connect them. can
conceive some connection between the election
Of the Court of Appeals by the Legislature and
the basis of representation, and when that con-
nection is pointed out, lsaay at once that as
member OF this convent | will never be in
fuenced in the determination of the manner in
which they shall be selected, by any reasons of
that description.
Upon this subject OF the basis of representa-
ton | will make a remark at once. came here
to struggle for no political power, and 80 help
me God, mean not to engage in any such
struggle. take it for granted that my constitu-
ency sent me here for no such object, and they
must have sought different end for the exef-
ton of my feeble efforts. I prefer the mixed
basis of white population and taxation as a basis
of representation, and if in fact, in its applica-
ton with its conservative features, it shall give
the power to the West, in Gods name let them
take it, for they will be entitled to it. Let it go
where it belongs. All desire is that the prin-
cipe shall be guaranteed. A word more, and l
dismiss this subject In regard to the choice of
a Governor, go for his election by the people,
and who stands here from the East or the Yves:
to deny the wisdom of such position as that ?
Do what you will in regard to the basis of rep
resentafSon, and there is not one of my associ-
ates and colleagues on this floor who will not 90
for the election of the Chief Magistrate of this
Commonwealth by the people. And thus to the
West at least, give pract ical demonstration
that in my position | entertain no distrust of
their fairness of action in reference to the seec-
ton of officers by the people, as in this case the
selection will depend on them almost exclusive
ly. But in framing constitution distrust the
East as well as the West and the West as well
as the East. desire to sec incorporated in this
constitution provisions that will secure the sams
principles of Justice for all quarters, whether
the East or the West, and shall sustain such pro-
positions, come they from the East or from the
West. And in regard to the basis of represent
tation, believe the principle for which ! con-
tend, 10 be one purely of that character. But if
you are to elect the chief Magistrate by the peo-
pie, let me ask again what connection is there
between the organization Of the executive de-
partment and the basis Of representation in the
legislature? -4~',
I go for the election of the chief Magistrate,
and 90 for another thing for the proposition,
as expressed by my colleague, (Mr. Lyons) of
stripping him Of every particle Of patronage and
power, possible 60 for it; from what l have
recently seen elsewhere in the action Of another
executive, of the accused use of such patron
age. wish to prevent the occurrence Of such
things here.
And now, sir, after thus rapidly and hastily
presenting these views, appeal, if | may dare
make the appeal, to those Eastern gentlemen
who differ with me ON this question. 10 saw If