Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-12
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
SATuRDAY. Feh. 9. lah0

SATURDAY, FeD ., lSoU.
The SPEAKER announced the following Committees.
Joint Committee for the reception and entertainment
OF the guests invited to be present the 22d inst at the
laying OF the stone of the Washington Monu-
ment viz: Messrs. Syme, Stovall, Snowden, Pitman,
Williams OF ~, Townes Williams OF F., Mayo,
of H. ''' anu A'"'
To make preparations for laying the corner stone
Messrs. Tomlin, Mayo. Shepard, Suman, Martz,
Hume, Duke Patrick, Schooley, Nicholson Fleming
Wootton and Pendleton.
On the petition of citizens of Richmond for an amend
ment OF the city charter to enable the people elect
Claiborne, Snowden, Jones of c., Syme Stubs, Wills,
Barbour, Coleman, Page, and Lewis of B.
Amongst the bills reported, was one presented by
Mr. SEGAR, authorizing the Board OF Public Works to
provide Tor the construction of an experimental mil
way.
Mr.. PATRICK offered resolution for Select Com
mttee to enquire what additional legislation necessary
to carry the providing Tor the erection of Monn
ment to Washington without interfering with the pro
posed ceremonies OF the 22d inst The resolution was
rejected.
CONVENTION QUESTION
The House went into committee on the convention
bill
Mr.. PERRow expressed himself in favour Of the basis
OF Federal numbers Population, he thought, was the
proper basis OF representation but where consisted of
two distinct races one inferior to the other the repre-
sentaton OF the inferior should be curailed This
was accomplished by the federal basis, which, he said
would give the East majority of 20 delegates But he
Mr.. HALL, of Randolph & Barbour, ayowed that the
west would never consent to the principle that slaves
West would prefer to have only delegate in the Le
gislature.
Mr.. CLAIBORNE said he was for Convention on any
terms Ii ne could not get the mixed basis, he was
prepared to fall back and fall back until he came to the
bill submitting the question of basis to the people He
went Tor the republican doctrine that the majority must
rule.
Mr.. Wills appealed to his Eastern brethren whether
would not be better to compromise this matter, and
suggested that the combined basis applied to the popu
ton and taxation of the present year. instead of l64O
might not give the East more than seven majority.
Mr. DoRMAN briefly sustained his proposition, insist
ing that carried out the principle Of the mixed basis
uniformly
Mr. CAMPBELL, of Notoway, said the gentleman
from Lynchburg was wrong in supposing that Mr. Sto-
wallis substitute was based on the statistics OF lS4O II
was based on the Auditors statement OF the population
and revenue Tor l849 Mr. G. descanted at some length
upon the incongruity of Mr. Dormans plan OF adding
dollars to men, and showed that it was contrary to eve
ry correct principle of calculation. He said the East
willing take less than the basis OF federal num-
bers which would give it % majority. 1t was willing
to exclude the license taxes, which would give about
principle Of the combined basis applying it equally all
the State; and the result was to give the East II
majority.
avowed himself to be radically for the white basis.
Mr. HopKINs (SpeakeD said he had been instructed
by one portion OF his constituents not to vote for Con-
yention, and by another portion to vote for Con-
vention on the mixed basis. For himself he was for
Convention, and was willing to compromise the basis
question with The West and to give up half of the pre-
sent Eastern majority. Between the two propositions
now before the House, he should feel himself consrap.
ed to vote for that proposed by Mr. Stoval
Mr.. KDwELL commended that the West had come
more than half way to meet the East The West was
unanimous Tor the white basis which would give il 9
majority now. 1t proposed to give the East r He
called upon his Western brethren 10 vote for Mr. Dor
mans amendment
Mr.. PATRICK said he should be pledged IN no coprse
by his vote on this amendment and declared that he
was for the republican basis Of white population.
Mr.. PRICE would vote for the amendment but would
not stand pledged as to his vote afterwards Between
mr., Dornan's amendment and the original bill he
SHOULD non have no hesitation in choosing.
Inc committee came to vote (by standing, as the
ayes and noes are not in order in committee on the
adoption OF MIR. Dormans amendment and it was re
Jected, ayes S. noes 62
The question required on Mr.. SrovAL1s substitute.
and 1t was adopted, ayes 65 noes 81, Mr.. Mayo, OF
RICHMOND zen city, voted in the negative. ,u
Inc Committee rose and reported the substitute Dill
to the House,
On the adoption of the substitute by the House, the
vote was:
AYES Messrs. Hopkins, tSpeakerl Finney, Allen,
Watson, Garter, Harvey, Gibson, Flood, Mitchell Bur
well. Power Lewis of B., Wills. Clarke Of Campbell,
Buckner, Lacy Jones OF Chesterfield, Barbour Page,
segar, Clarke of Essex, Williams OF Fairfax Hume,