Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-06
Mr.. Scear, Of Elizabeth City. had come


Of the Convention What he had witness
cd since the nominations for Attorney
General had been brought forward, how
ever, had satisfied him that there was but
one possible mode Of attaining the harmo-
ny and despatch necessary In tins matter,
and that was by referring theve. particular
nominations to a commerce Of this body
1.-THE nominations for Attorney General
were to go on and the discussions attend
ing them be continued, they would be de-
tanned, there not only to-day but to-mor-
row, and perhaps longer. The more the
discussioh, in regard to these nomina-
tions was extended. the greater would
I've the III feeling generated and the want
Of harmony. He thought harmony could
he attained by raising the committee, and
to secure the desirable object; although he
had decided preference for Mr.. Baxter,
lie trusted the whole subject would be re-
ferrcd to a select committee, and whatever
the selccrion Of that committee might be.
: he should heartily acquicsce in it.
Mr. Doddridge Of kanawha. said that
he did hot wish to say any thing with ref
crcncc TO the present nominations, but de-
sired, with the concurrence of many other
gentlemen, and without his knowledge, to
submit the name of Henry p. Irving. Of
Richmond. for the Office Of Attorney Gen
eral. He was gentleman Of the most
eminent abilities. and he did not think a
more judicious selection could he made.
Mr. Irving was thankful for the honor
that had been conferred upon him, by the
gentleman from Kanawha, (Mr. Dod-
dridge.) but as he did not wish To increase
ihe difficulty now attendant upon the NOM
inations for Attorney General, by adding
TO their number, he would therefore most
respectfully decline the nomination and
ask the gentleman to withdraw his name.
Mr.. Doddridge accordingly Withdrew
Mr.. Irving's name from the list Of candi-
dates.
Mr.. Rivcs desired TO make brief re-
ply to the remarks Of the gentleman from
Augusta. (Mr. Shcaey.) He (Mr. r. was
more kecnly sensitive TO charge Of pro-
rcrp,ion, when it came from so eminent
person as the gentleman from Augusta
If he rccollectcd the antccedents of that
gentleman. he was ono ofthc most radical
members Of the State Convention; he was
cvcnunwillirg to permit the judges TO hold
r,scc daring good behaviour, and opposed
life tcnurcs
Tire gentleman from Augusta. had had
n large share in the work Of constructing
the new Constitution, and he came before
the Convention which framed that Consti-
tuition the recognized exponent and advo-
cate ofshort rcrms--and now he stood up
here affirming that to carry out that very
doctrine in relation To Mr.. Baxter. would
DC prescription. Great arplause Thus,
according to the present view Of the gen
,ieman, it was proscrptfon 70 ror,inatc
any one else but the incumbcn, for an of
fec, when the term ofihat incumbent had
expired. Ifthat were true, they had no,
faithful and experienced judge in Vir-
linia, who, when the question came up
under the new constitution of rc-nomina-
ssng him again. III whose behalf the cry
would not be raised of prescription, ifany
athcr candidates were put in nomination.
He begged leave 10 say to MIR. Baxter's
friends. that he had not the slightest feeling
Of unkindncss towards any Of them, or To-
wards Mr. Baxter himself Far from it.
He merely wished to consult together and |
nnite-uninlluenccd by the cry Of pro-
scrip,ion-upon that man who would |
bring the most strength 10 the Wing
ticket
Mr.. Meredith of Richmond. sail, that |
hc regretted that this debate had sprung
up. and that there was any appearance of
difference ofopinion amongst the mcm-
hers Of the body. The question before the
Convention, MS he understood it, was the
nomination Of a candidate TO fill the post Of
Attorney General under the new Cons,-
tuition. The names Of four gentlemen had
been presented to the Convention, and
three were now before the body, and mo-
lion was pending after these nominations
had been made, to raise a committee 10 Sc
LETT from these nominees, the candidate or
choice of the Convention. As had been
forcibly remarked, this was most irrcgu-
lar proceeding. and he must be permitted
TO say that he did not think it was caicula.
Ted to inspire confidence in the nominee
ufany such committee. But one reason
had been assigned why this committee
shonld bc raised, and that was for the
purpose of concealing the fact that there
was diversity ofopinion in this body
Would it attain that object! Would not
the nominations already nude, sufficiently
Indicate that this difference of opinion did
exist The only question, for the Convcn
ton then. was, how could they select from
tsvcsc nominees, so as 10 inspire most conf
dencc in the rcsdlt. Could it be done by
committee! Who was to appoint the
eomm''.cei was II TO be appointed by
the chart IL So ,hey would place 1t IN
the power oi inc chai' 10 make the nomina
ton lie o'u nor mean TO intimate such
e"arge against 'ne ena'r' =, Tor nc had iuii
confidence IN me presiding o'hcfr' but
such charge might DC ihadc' and they