Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-28

offered amendment to proposition A, the PROPOSE
tion oil which he had previously given notice. providing
that the question OF basis be submitted the qualified
voters Mr.. Stanard then moved TO strike out Mr.
Summers amendment, and insert the proposition offer
ed and withdrawn by Mr.. Beae, (the mixed basis ex-
elusive OF the free negro tax An excited debate en-
sued between Mr. Summers and Mr.. Scott OF Fauquier
at the close of which the latter referred to scheme
adjustment which he had suggested to Mr. Summers and
which he had been induced to hope would receive thai
gentleman's concurrence. Mr.. Summers, however
said he would require entire change in QUE essentia
feature OF it. This plan. have subsequently learned
was to base the House on qualified voters and the Sen
ate on taxation
Friday, May 9h.-The question pending being Mr.
StanaId's motion to to strike out Mr. Summers propo-
sltion, and insert Mr.. Beaes, the first taken
on striking out, and it was decided in the affirmative
ayes co, noes ST. the white basis members and
Messrs. Bolts and Voolfolk voting in the negative.
The next taken inserting the proposition
of Mr. Beae 1.-THE mixed basis exclusive of the free ne
gro tax and the committee refused 10 insert it, ayes So
noes 81. The white basis members and Messrs. Bolts
Chiffon, Claiborne, Randolph and Saunders voted in
the negative [Mr. Bowden was absent without having
paired off] Thus again was the mixed basis defeated
by the votes of five Eastern members representing mix
ed basis constituencies.
Inc question recurred on striking out proposition A.
and 1t was decided in tt negative, ayes So, Co.
The white basis members and Messrs Chiffon and
Saunders voted in the affirmative. Amongst those who
voted against striking out A, were Messrs. Arthur
Bolts, Martin of Henry, Randolph and Wingield-
Mr.. Bolts obtained leave record on the journal de-
caraon that the votes he had then given were not his
own, but those OF bis constituents.
III ext question Would have haen on the adontion
OF proposition A, but MIR. Claiborne moved to amend
it by providing that the representation of no city or
town should exceed Delegates and - Senators.
After lengthy debate the amendment was rejected
ayes 36, noes Is, most Of the Eastern members voting
in the negative. Irasmuch the Eastern members
had agreed TO deer the question OF city representation
until after the basis should be settled the motion o!
Mr. claiborne was serious embarrassment to them
and was doubtless intended by the mover to be so.-
Under the circumstances only six members from the
Fast, not Tor the suffrage basis, viz Messrs Clai-
borne, M. Garrett, Hopkins Martin of Henry, and
Straughan, voted for the amendment
After this vote, Mr.. Claiborne moved that the COM
mtee rise, and gave notice that he intended the
day, to offer amendment. The committee rose &C..
cordipgly, and the Convention adjourned.
The course of Messrs Claiborne and Martin of Hem
ry, at the moment when proposition was about to be
adopted rejected proves that they were then solicit
ous TO avoid direct vote upon it, and were contem-
plating Compromise.
Saturday, May l0th.-Immedatey upon the meeting
OF the Convention, Mr.. STROLLER moved an adjourn.
ment Several gentlemen spoke by leave of the body.
Mr.. Scott of Fauquier advocated the adjournment and
avowed his willingness to concur in a settlement OF the
contest which would involve surrender on either
side. The ad ournment was carried, ayes 49, noes 49,
The Eastern members after the adjournment remained
in the hall for consultation. and appointed committee
to confer with such committee as the Western MEM
bers tappoint, upon the subject of an adjustment,
but no authority was given the committee to bind the
Eastern members TO any proposition they might tender
accept
Saturday night, the two parties assembled the Eas-
tern members in the Senate chamber, and the West
ern members In the hall of the House of Delegates ian
accidental foreshadowing Of the arrangement that was
soon to preyail) The Western members appointed
committee to meet the Eastern committee, and propo
sons to the following effect were mutually rendered
and rejected:
EASTERN PRoPosIrroNs.
l. A House of 156 on the suffrage basis which would
give majority OF IA to the West; Senate of SO on
taxation, which would give the East majority of Ia;
with reapportionmen in 1862 and decennialIv there
after, on the same principles.
2. A House OF $50, with 20 majority to the West,
and Senate of SO on taxation with IA majority TO-
the East; reapporonment in 1862, and decennialIv
Senate.
8. A House OF l50 on mixed basis of qualified vo.
tiers and taxation giving majority of IL the East:
Senate OF so on the suffrage basis ri, ing maioritv
OF to the West; reapportonments in 1862 and decsn-
nally thereafter on the principles and no Couyen.
ton TO be called exceptby vote OF three hs ofeach
House.
WESTERN PRoPos1r1oNs.
l. A House ofl5l, on the mixed basis (exousve Of
the tax on free negroeso giving majority of 10 to tho
East and Senate Of Sc on the suffrage basis, giving
majority oi2 TO the West, until 1862, when both
Houses to be on the suffrage basis.
2 The same as the FIRST except that the Legislature
should be required, in 1862 to submit the question Of
basis to the qualified voters
3. A House OF l56 on the suffrage basis with :.
Western majority OF H. and Senate ESQ on taxation
with an Eastern majority OF "A, until 1862 when
both Houses to be reapportioned the suffrage ba-
4. House of $50 on the mixed basis lexclusya of
the free negro tax with Eastern majority of l2 and
Senate on the like mixed basis with an Eastern M
jory OF H. until 1869, when both Houses to be on the
suffrage basis
1t has been made public in the debates OF the Con.
venon, that the Western members ratified the whole
action of their committee, but that the Eastern mem
bers confined themselves to approx ing tho rejection NJ
the Western propositions The general sentiment ri
the Eastern members upon the failure of the pegota
tons, was that beray had been exhausted on .hei,
side and that their only remaining duty was TO Dro
coed on the ensuing Monday, to put proposition to
the vote and carry it, But other consultations and ne
goations interviewed on Sunday. which wholly coun.
lervailed their expectations.
Monday, Way l2M.-Immediately after the Conven.
ton met, Mr.. Waus OF Norfolk county, moved to 90
into committee OF the whole, and thai there be no de-
bate on the pending proposition.
Mr. Martin OF Henry, who had heretofore acted with
the maor the Eastern members, in every vote, save
on the motion made by his colleague, Mr. Claiborne
the preceding Friday. to attach TO proposition
restriction on the representation of cities expressed the
hope that the Convention would not resolve itself into
committee OF the WHOLE he wished to offer resou.
| ton Tor compromise committee. He stated that he
had not participated in the negotiations Saturday night
and that he had, Sunday, conferred with seyera,
Eastern gentlemen who concurred with him in thinking
that compromise might yet be effected and that Sc
lect committee should be appointed for the purpose