Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-14
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
MONDAY, Feb. II, 1850
WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Mr. CONWAY moved reconsideration OF the vote by
which special committee was this morning appointed
Oh the communication from the Governor concerning
the Washington Monument.
Mr.. G. made some remarks in favour oil adhering to
the decision of the commissioners and to two former
decisions OF the House itself;
MI PATRICK considered this extraordinary propo-
sition He said the plan OF an equestrian statue would
make necessary farther appropriation OF from nifty 10
one hundred thousand dollars He commented severely
upon letter of the senior editor OF the Enquirer from
Acquia Creek from which he said it seemed that that
particular individual had the whole matter under his
own control
Mr.. CLAIBORNE spoke with his usual warmth in ia
your of the reconsideration. Were the question an ORR
piua one he might be willing to go into the subject
But he called upon the majority OF the House not to
permit itself to be overcome by the minority
Mr. R1vEs who had had some part in the beginning
OF this dissatisfaction, was willing to stand BY the de-
cision of the House, and would vote to reconsider.
Mr. JOHNSON having just been 10 see the model pro-
nounced it possess more OF the beauty OF agreement
than any other that constructed in any coun
try but the relevancy OF this remark to what he alter
wards said we could not perceived The great men OF
Virginia, he said, were made to turn their backs on
Washington in gloomy silence, He was tor erecting
Monument to Washington alone
Mr. SYME disclamed having ridicued the P2sen-eye
Pixzini taste OF this city. He had said Pzznl ur
nshed better models OF monuments Tor the balls and
parties Of Richmond than the selected by the
mssioners. He made mputation on the taste OF
Richmond, for he believed agreed with his own In
this matter.
The vote being TAKEN the 1ous agreed 10 suspend
the rule for the purpose OF reconsidering.
Mr.. VERIFY said his views this subject had, after
reflection undergone some change. With all respect
to the better OF the Governor, Council, and Com
missoners he could not think equestrian statue the
best adapted to commemorate Washngton's character
His military career, said Mr.. T., was almost entirely
obscured the contemplation OF his craftsmanship and
his civic virtues
Mr. STovALL suggested that the resolution ought to
refer the subject 10 joint committee.
Mr. PATRICK withdrew the motion to refer to a Sc
lect committee, and, on his motion, the Governors
communication was Tor the present. laid on the table.
STATE CONVENTION.
On motion of Mr. CLAIBORNE, the bill to take the
sense of the people ON the call of convention was
the question beng On It's pdassa gsv
Speech favor OF the West generally and without very
close reference to the bill before the House He poA
claimed to the world that the Democracy OF this Legis
ature was not what it pretended to be- 1t had nothing
to do with the rights Of the people, but was wholly de-
voted to chasing the rats tn the basement The session
had been taken up with nightly efforts at the removal OF
Democracy he said had ceased to be
principle and had altogether forgotten in its energy for
Office the sovereignty OF the people. If wealth to
take the place OF men, Mr.. j. ayowed that he Tor one
dixie Mr.. VIM. ]. Brown was done ne would make
the white basis he saba question in the selection Of
every officer. Mr. j. descanted upon the TACT that some
of the Piedmont counties had fallen back in population
Mr PANNIL corrected his statement as TO Orange the
being cut off from it, Mr.. J. stated that there were
more white persons East OF the Blue Ridge than West
of il who could not read or write. In regard to build
mo IN the towns of the East he declared that he pre-
ered to build up tyranny in foreign stae he mem
toued Western legislative caucus, and argued that ii
Western men had stood TO the position then taken, they
would have succeeded in getting the white basis, lie
declared that he would have no hand In this bill Let
this Legislature, he said do as the tomer Legislature
did submit the simple question whether convention
should be called and let another Legislature then Tx
the basis -.
Mr.. FEKGUsoN thought it due to his constituents and
himself to define his position. He proposed to show
that the gentleman from Taylor was for bill thatwoud
pjaee the West entirely in the power OF the East
Mr. JOHNSON explained that he preferred to the pre-
sent bill one submitting the sngleIqueston Of calling
Convention and leaving the next Legislature to fix the
hasis Rut he would assuredly vote against either bill
Mr.. FERGUSON proceeded to contend that the bill SUBJ
hitting only the call would involve certain defeat OF the
West Scarcely man in the West would vote against
Convention in general terms, it would be carried and
,bsn the eeislat1re would fix any basis might choose
He declared that he was for a Convention, and if he
norld not Get il on the white basis he was willing to
tata il m he combined basis They knew we'll that
the East with its majority of % in this House, will never
Weld the principle Of the white basis. The instance had
never been known where men having power were vii
ling to surrender il The present bill, he regarded
onmpromse between the federal basis and the white
basis If wopd PROFESSIONALLY give the West majo
rv in len wears And he did not understand that there
was any disposition on the part OF Eastern members 10
deny the West that majority when II should be entitled
toit on the principle OF the bill. Seyeral Eastern men,
bers answered, "none, none
Mr. SHEYFEY stated that, according to his calculation,