Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-02
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THE CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
FRIDAY MoRNING. MAY 2. 1881,

THE CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
We threw aside our newspapers and spent al INC
Yesterday in the Convention, where though very niue was
49, or, eliminated and interesting discussion sprang
nm The suces of debate thrown wide open the Con-
vent;on 10 again at sea- and can say when they VIII
reach land second time
When we reached the Hail we found that Mr. saunders OF
vncbbure had withdrawn for the present. his proposition
md that Mr. Bowden of Williamsburg had moved to amend
Mr. Bolts proposition, by substituting proposition for re-
presentation in both houses federal numbers
Mr. had also asked leave withdraw for the present.
his proposition This motion had been discussed by esss
Bolts Shelley and WISE in favor and Messrs 5 Watts ana
Sanard, against.
long discussion of parliamentary rules TOOK places IN
which side commended tina, Mr. Bolts proposition was
before the House. and could not be withdrawn without
carrying with il Mr. Bowdensand the other tat was
simple act Of courtesy Mr.. Bos similar to what had
been granted Mr. Saunders, TO allow hun 10 wlhara"
his proposition.
The hair mir Miller Botetour decided that the House
might give Mr. Bolts leave to withdraw-and Mr. Bolts
asked the ayes and noes on his motion
Mr. Edmunds asked if the leave given, whether MI
Howden's proposition would not fall with it.
The Chair answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Bolts alluded 10 The fact that public meeting on this
subject was called for friday night in this CITY,
Ills constituents he satisfied would go against the
SPoA~"
ON the subject of his and other propostons-and he
wished TO know the sentiments of Richmond majority OF
the district so guide his He here this
morning propose that the consideration Of this Basis ques
ton be postponed that the people, only of Richmond
hut elsewhere might send their instructions here His col
leagues doubted not would wish know the sentiments
of the people.
Mr.. Davis had objection his colleagues Withdrawing
his proposition if did interfere with other propositions
lie believed in the right of ns.ruction-out thought inc
delegates from district fully instructed at the pos
when they were elected on ren pledges. Mr. D. refer
red to the great efforts made get up excitement on this
subject.
Mr.. Bots-Will my colleague obey instructions?
MIR Davis-Yes; believe the best instructions were
given at the polls.
In reply to remark Of MIR. Bos Mr.. Davis asked who
had called the public meeting in this city?
Mr.. Botts-The original call was 10 instruct me.
Mr.. Davis.-But the present call
Mr.. Bolts had understood it came from Democrat.
Mr. Davis said he could not give this leave it
amounted withdrawal of Mr.. Bowdens proposition, Also
MIR. Beale said there had been too much courtesy
shown by Eastern He for courtesy when II did
interfere with the proper consideration OF important pro-
positions. He alluded Mr.. Bolts newborn zeal for the
of the people and the will of his constituents Three
counties had already given mixed basis instructions to Mr.
Bolts.
Mr. Bolts expressed his surprise the innation OF the
gentleman he had carried the views of his
sttuents May he (Mr. Beae) be violating the wishes
of his constituents The geneman's way-bl had been
voted down-the propositions before the Convention
new and the gentleman could not know the views OF
his constituents upon them Mr. Bolts wished TO give the
pie the opportunity of expressing their views He referred
the meetings alluded TO- not fairly expressing public
sentiment In Henrico sr votes al the arhes had been
given in the meeting He wished hear from all the
ties.
Mr.. Claiborne said Mr.. Bolts proposition no longer
the property of Mr.. B. but OF the House. He therefore,
thought of courtesy Mr. Bolts TO refuse
him leave withdraw It, Richmond had had plenty Of time
this subject. His orr C's) Whebasis constitu-
ens secuted all compromises like that OF Mr. Saunders and
said they would prefer the Mixed basis for which ne had
Woodland he should for the best plan protect
the property of the East The people OF Richmond
press their opinion when the subject shall be in Convention,
after action in Committee
Mr. Sanard protested against the motion adjourn this
question for indefinite PERIOD after the proposition of his
colleague had been fairly presented Tor action would
amount to adjournment Of the Convention, to wait until
could hear from every district in the State Mr.. Bolts
proposition. This going rather far The time and
money already wasted by the Convention had made the
body abomnaon Are gentlemen disposed take this
responsibility His constituents did expect him do
HIS opinions not given in The whole
district for the mixed bass-and raised voice
against it then.
Mr. Bolts cited the action of the convention of 49, when
motion of Judge Scott the basis subject postponed
from the 18th the Both November. This postponement
advocated by Mr. Leigh and Mr. S,unard the father of
his colleague.
Mr.. Stanard The ground Of postponement then was
very different from the present difference OF opin-
ion between Western leaders. Dodddse and Johnson, as
the construction of the white basis report the one
conendng for the white populations the other for suffrage
basis 1t resolved postpone the subject to await the
action the question of suffrage Circumstances IRE now
very different Mr.. S. protested strongly against Mr. Bolts
extraordinary proposition.
Mr. Anderson. The Convention Of 29 acted under ex-
acy the circumstances and effect the object
Judge Green's Mixed basis was voted down-and Eastern
members had various propositions for compromise which
they desired consult their constituents That the
derstandng thong il made part Of the record.
Mr. Sanard read from the record TO show the true ground
Mr. Smith of Greenbrcr cited from recollection, the &C
Of the last Convention show that the basis question
postponed, distinctly with the view allow the people
OF Abemarle and Of that region express their wishes
Mr.. Bolts had cited the action Of 49, precedent for
our action They had good reasons them and had
better reasons He wished hear from his constitu
ents and was willing give the privilege every
member. He would regard himself violating his duty
under the call for public meeting he did not ask time for
his constituents TO express their wishes.
Mr. NJ. GARRETT against all this backing and filling,
and should oppose these Withdrawals of PROPOSE
tons. His people wished the Convention act without
further waste Of time.
Mr. Mason said the motive publicly avowed in the last
Convention was to postpone the basis question: until action
the suffrage question.
Mr. Floyd In the suspension in the Convention Of '29
not instructions received from Abemarle?
Mr. Mason thought that the proposition then moved by
Mr. Gordon Of Abemare not brought forward in accord
with those instructions.
Mr. Meredith could not refuse the courtesey to his COL
league though the withdrawal Of his proposition might
give advantage to Mr. Bolts MIR. NJ. decidedly OPP
posed his colleagues compromiseyet he did not think
the withdrawal of the proposition would produce delay He
should for delay hear from the district That it
had not already spoken his colleagues fault not his
Mr.. Stanard. The motion TO withdraw was accompanied
by an announcement that motion postpone the subject
would be made.