Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-01

Assembly regarding do of the first importance
that we should accomplish that end if III our power. If
it is not within power-if gentlemen say that 1t can
not be done-f they have now determined TINT we ca-
not complete the abors for which We were sent here
until August or September then the question arises
whether it be Mt all necessary that should rcnaa
here in the heat of this climate take Recess and
nee. again 10 the fall All these matters should be set
tied aud in order that Of action muy be
known to US and to the country it is important think
that We should come to determination upon the
basis question That only be done by passing
in the Convention upon the amendments which gentle
uen intend to propose to this plan Of adjustment.
say here that for will throw the slightest
distractions in the way of any or every amendment
which it is tho purpose of gentlemen to move to this
proposition of settlement Let it be fairly tested
only want to know what We have to depend upon and
where to stand would suggest to the gentle
man from Accomac (Mr WEE) that instead of making
his resolution applicable to next Monday, We should u
least give that day to this question think that 1t can
tested Monday and settled one way or the othe
We then refer it to committee 10 make inc up
portionmcnts and then go on with other work Al;er
Monday shall have sort OF objection 70 the gentle
mans resolution to 10 into Committee Of the Whole
every dav ut IL o'clock. am sure am understood oy
gentlemen upon all sides, for have purpose III max
ing my suggestions except to ascertain now lar IL Is
practicable BY Joint eortsif this basis question Is to
be considered Us settedto 90 and complete our Ia
bors here w . :,
Mr. WISE. AMI perfectly willing to have it II
o'clock on Tuesday.
Mr. SUMMERS. That will then give Monday to this
Mr. WISE. And also two hours upon every day al
Mr. STRoTHER greatly prefer tn. proposition of
NV friend from Accomac (ilr W!sE) as trSt under,
stood it. Ny own mind approves the reasons presented
his question should be laid upon the table until tho
committee had acted upon aud decided the question in
regard to the legislative department. urging that his
opinions if not the opinions of other gentlemen might
| Undergo change upon the basis question consequent
upon the action Of the committee upon the Legislative
| department.. The member from kanawha (Nr SrM-
uKns) saws that he does not desire final action upon
the basis question by the Convention until the question
of the legislative department had been disposed OF But
ne desires make progress to how far the gentle
men here when called Convention approve the action
the same gentlemen when called Committee OF the
Whole. Is there any gentleman here who doubts what
will be the vote of this body on Monday But to my
MUD there seems to be hnality TO this action
Il this BODY on Monday approve the action Of this body
to-day unless that action put in the form Of c"s'
elusive insertion in the constitution, than if We were
now adopt the original proposition of the gentleman
from Acconac and go into the Committee OF the hole
upon the legislative department Because If the action
Il anr member of this body to be dependent upou the
result of the action upon the legislative department
then all that is done Monday will be as much for
nothing rs the action of to-day There can be no nal
cote or action until this matter is disposed OF by nser-
4 iuS7stoS' >'A'i
,gan brought up BY light variation in their forms nj
Ter the legislative department has been acted upon
What is the value of entering upon OH Monday the ac-
ton of to-day il gentlemen are To take third action
upon the proposition-f gentlemen are again to renew
this contest after the legislative question disposed Of
changing their action upon the final results 1t Seelis
to me that the gentleman from kauawha (r. SCMMERs)
will get nothing except that which he now has.
Now, disagree entirely with the gentleman from
Accomac (r WIsf,) that these two questions should
70 on at the same time being acted upon an hour
5r two ia the morning in the Convention and the other
The balance of tho day in tho Committee OF the Whole
f the decision of the first proposition Is at all dependent
anon the decision of tho second then the first cauno be
lecided until the second has been decided Therefore
gentlemen will actually gain time b. allowing the
nttee to 20 and conclude its abors upon the secoud
question before undertake any ction upon the first
For as the action of the committee may vary from day
to dar 30 also must the action of the Convention vary
likewise if the two questions go on together step BY
step if the one ia dependent upon the other. think
that without doubt the suggestion first made BY the
gentleman from Accomac is the one most conducive to
! speedy aud final action upon this subject.
As to this matter Of adjournng b. the goth OF June
nm willing to adjourn then sooner If We can get
ready But do not believe That the residue OF the
constitution ia upon subjects 70 ul:nportat as to per
nit to hurry over them with heedlessness or haste
think there are questions involved III the residue OF
the constitution before of the dccpes: Interest though
Of course they will not require quite 50 loug and full
debate and consideration this question which We
have 80 long had before U.s.
Mr. LUCAS. feel as deep interest III this sub
ect of guarantees any gentleman upon this floor. but
have taken the ground from the beginning that until
this basis question is settled at least the principles
Of that question settled, my course of action upon
the legslatv. and other departments of the govern
meut would be shaped and depend very much upon the
principles Of the basis which should be agreed upon
am therefore opposed to going into Committee OF the
Whole for the purpose of taking up the report OF the
Legislative committee any other question: and leav
l.: lei 20 ia 10 l,n ON
bodied I think if we do this shall find ourselves
much at sea in regard to this basis question were
on the first day in which assembled Ill this hall
ask my friond from Accomac and all who concur with
in opinion to the necessity ct setting the primer
pies of this question: that they will not depart from this
subject until those principles settled If tho
raugement proposed be, that shall remain IN the
House and settle this basis question first then am
willing go into Committee of the Whole and take up
the report of the legislative committee any other de-
par.meut but until that time am unwilling to take up
any other subject however intimately connected with
this, until the principles Of this question settled
do not understand from what has fallen from my friend
from Accomac r WISE that he regards the principle
basis settled by the vote that has been taken
requiring the proposition of compromise to be reported
from the Committee of the Whole to the Convention.
am, therefore opposed to any motion to take up any
other subject until this is settled, and shall vote
against it.
Mr. SUMMERS. understood the gentleman from
Accomac to accept she modification suggested,
/ Mr.. LUCAS. Is that the Understandings
Mr.. WISE. accepted the modification before my
friend (Mr. LUcAs) was up.
Mr.. FERGUSON. desire TO say before the vote is
taken upon guarantees that have always understood
from eastern gentlemen in this House that the mixed
basis was sufficient guarantee for thsm aud when So
understood determined to vote for guarantees, il
that basis adopted because gentlemen have resort
ed to that method of protection have always
intended give proper constitutional guarantees to per.
sons and property if the suffrage bas was adopted be-
opinions are that the minority ought to be
the majority will give protection to property in re-
gard to taxation and and SO far slave
write their own guarantees They may put them in the
strongest language in which they can place them they
desire it and they shall have my vote; 80 Tar as taxa
ton and appropriation are concerned, am in favor OF
proper guarantes 1t for the interest Of the internal
system itself that it shall be regulated by
the organic law of the State else the system will de-
srov Itself But must know how this basis question
is to be settled before give any final vote upon this
subject. While declare here that will throw no Oh,
sace in the way Of any gentlemen or any set Of gentle
men, desiring amendments, want to see the prnclp
L. k ~ n