Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-30
RICHMOND CORRESPONDENCE.
''Thersites only clamoured in the throny,
Loquacious, loud, and turbulent of tongar.'' 81

promises ana Send you another weekly account of what
ransped The public theatre since my last but you will
have in the city papers that almost progress has yet
been made by the Convention in its appropriate work that
days have been consumed in preparing the cumbons
machine for future action and that that preparation has not
yet been matured.
Much frivolous and unnecessary discussion occurred on
the system Of rules reported by committee for the govern
ment Of the body and the Previous Question especially.
great deal of valuable time and less valuable eoouence
freely expended with other result for the time be-
ing than involve the proceedings all the reconde in
cacy Of an agebraic formula 1t seemed to me that some
gentlemen exhausted their whole stock of ingenuity upon
amendments, and displayed fertility of invention in sug
gestng them and in conoundng the Convention, which
augus badly for the future history Of its sessions If the
Constitution should from their hands as much trans
formed as they conyed 10 do with the ordinary rules of
ORDER the business Of Interpretation will be far more ardu
Gus than ever, and the difficulties of legislation infinitely
increased.
There is branch of reform which the Convention ap
pear determined 10 push to the extremity of radicasm-
mean the reformation of the English Language Judging
from the spirit of independence exhibited by many mem
bes in relation TO this matter, might infer that the pop
uar right Of freedom Of speech will be SO broadly asserted
to sweep away the ancient landmarks Of grammars and
dictionaries AMI leave the people free indulge in all the
latitude they may desire. do not believe however, that
this proceeds from ignorance altogether but from prevail
ing Indifference 10 those gaces and eegances of dicon
which emineny distinguished the statesmen of Virginia
in other days The times of classical taste in these things
fast passing away and the prominent speakers in our
public bodies not only determined to represent the po
Ia: -
also their provincial pecuaritieo of speech and OF manner
1t would be well indeed if their wants should be so fully
manifested in this particular provision
be made in the Constitution for general system of popular
education, the only thing that protect US from the
arts and the ambition Of demagogues.
There was to-day, some manifestations of that sectional
feeling which 1t is feared will, than anything else,
embiter the discussions, and embaass the proceedings Of
the Convention. The appointment Of committee the
question of representation, which the West insisted upon
constituting as to bring their proposition of White b.
sis fully before the House, the immediate occasion Of
this excitement, and the question had been decided
when the House adjourned. Mr.. Stanard of Richmond
City, has the floor, believe, for tomorrow, on his
proposition to appoint the Committee upon the mixed basis
principle, according to the complexion of the Convention
ITSELF There will DO quite battle upon this question, but
there several Eastern members who disposed
yield the point matter of courtesy and means of
ciaon, and think probable that the West will get the
Committee. But if they do, it will indicate nothing more
than consciousness Of strength the part of the East
which makes her disdain petty maneuvres-
In the great conflict tina, is to come she will show her pow
and most certainly exercise it, 1t is much be regret
led that this question arises now, the nauspcous
time for the West. 1t will be very apt to swallow up all
other questions, and throw upon the people miseraby
crude abortion of Constitution, characterized by nothing
bat rash Innovations These innovations will SO far sails
y the popular party in the East that they will not consent
to another Convention for many years 10 come, and the
hopes Of the West will be entirely frustrated. II.
last, The first day of the Oct Court
altogether the lively ay have had for
time Every description of business seemed unusually brisk
giving thriving little town quite Gifted appearance
The auctioneers especially seemed have their hands Cor
rather their mouths) full to overlooking. and made more
noise than all others put together The annoyance always
caused by the ncessan chatter of this garuous fraternity
finds agreeable relief in the quaint sayings and original
humor of the craft Some four five made vo-
cal Monday, with the praises of their goods and chaels
TO the well the annoyance of "a crowded
audience" "Now, gentlemen, will offer you this spen
did young horse, cried one, "saddle bride and rider
cep,ed as usual, aud the terms of sale cash. Take look
at him--four years old this Spring-aint he beauty
skins the milk without touching the cream-forty dollars
did you say sir forty dollars forty dollars !" "Oppo
sition is the life of trade" beloved another ''Whas bid
for this splendid bay fy? Fifty dollars, by the way of
start the old woman said when she took snuff out of the
heel of her socking-flty dollars fifty dollars !" and
away he cantered, declaring he would knock her down
without better bid, at fifty dollars few doors below
another member Of the profession enlarged upon the val
ue of an assortment Of merchandise We understand he
halls from the Tenth Legon and must do him the JUS
tice say that he talks faster than any have
heard. He is certainly entitled to an A. M. We despair
seemed however have especial ondness for fractions
and rolled out most enthusiastically eternal 'na na
naff" To cap the climax, travelling vender exposed
his goods ,heedd Of -four barrel right in front of
Sanctum, and discoursed eoquenty the surprising quail
tiles of his cleausing soap and everlasting stick
casionay granting forth a few more left of the sort
Sunset however, the crowd dispersed and the
tioneers retired The Rockingham man thanked his au-
dence for their kind attention, invited them back at night
and is probably, selling goods "dir cheap" while we
write, to large and respectable lot of purchasers.
BASIS OF REpREsENNAToN.-ln, the course of debate
in the Convention Thursday, the basis question, Col
RANDOLPH OF Albemarle said that the Western members
were doomed TO defeat and he anxious that it should be
done in the most conciliaory If the East is re-
solved not even to consent tocompomse trouble may
be anticipated.
| Tun VIRGINIA HorEL.-An arrangement has been eff
ected between Messrs. CARRIER s. HARMAN, and Mr. JAS
A. McCLuNe by which the latter is TO take charge of the
Virginia Hotel about the middle of December next Mr.
JOS N. WOODWARD, of the Valley Hotel, has purchased
the Eagle or Meetings.
s. Wego'ice in the Lexington papers that meet
jnp of a porou of the members of the Methodist
Churchn that place, has been caed,to consider lh'