Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-30
VIRGINIA. 80. !. III. Z.
REFORM CONVENTION
NO. 3S.-
FURNISHED to RoBEHr r. GALLAHsR, Pu5Hshe, TO III.
Convention, By VIZ G. BnHor, OGeial Reporter :
SATURDAY, May 8, 1851,
| Continued from, Supplement No. ST.

~
Continued from, Supplement No. ST. .y@
Mr.. SCOTT No sir. What said was this: tha
III. course of the delegate from the ci of Richmond
was we'll calculated stimulate the convention to ar
action upon this question which would bIng down .
Limitation upon the representation of. this city. =.
For myself have always said that, according to m,
Judgment in the superintendent OF the representation
limitations ought to be put upon the representation OF
cities. And what mare nest is it that the gentleman
from Gilmer (Mr. HArs) has now discovered My pro-
no,,ion nearly four months under discussion volun
tary introduced shows what my deliberate judgment
!; unon this question Suppose that Richmond Should
ror 10 the size of Baltimore, Philadelphia or New
Sort what sane man would undertake, in the appor.
opmcnt Of in this State upon any basis
,ha white population the free suffrage the mixed basis
or anv other basis you carry oat the scheme sc
"a TO give TO the ercumsorbed locality OF single city
h r. oyer-grown population, theweight in the halls
Of legislation that it would receive upon the principle
Do we NOT all know that take what principle you may, il
!, .,h;ect NJ Emitaton-that this matter of govern.
,nent is practical matterto be htted, TO be adjusted
TO the wants Of the community to DO shaped according
to the circumstances that surround US! -
have never said would vote to restrict Richmond
now On the contrary, another proposition, that
member of the committee having charge OF this subjec,
introduced works out this mixed basis as to give to
Richmond, with its present population and its pres.
emf taxes its full representation upon the princi-
Pile never designed in the proposition that sub.
United to impose any limitation upon the represen.
would be entitled to now. But I propose to make
it such as to declare that hereafter though Richmond
might increase in taxation and population beyond GER
tain extent she should not have representation in pro-
portion. am for that now / think it proper prin-
cipe and whenever the occasion comes up to cast nv
vote upon the question: will be found voting for it,
But what is the position Of the gentleman from Lo-
gan, (Mr. FpRoUsos0 It is not that he will do as
propose to do, make this limitation prospective That
IS moi the threat But it is to make it operative now
Ia OF al
be here with the threat that if thew presume to
exercise their own calm and dispassonate Judgment
and decide for the mixed basis he and his western asso-
cates ready to visit upon their offence Limitation
and restrictions upon their pocalpower But if these
dear friends, these friends, these darling
OF affection will only give up this mixed basis and de-
clare themselves in favor Of the white basis, he will
make this city not only the object Of his affection, but
of his bounty. He will give them not only the repre-
senatlon to which upon his principle they will be en-
titled to its fullest extent but every measure of pros
perty that the exercise Of legislative power in the
structon Of Internal improvements give shall be
poured into her open lap. do know how the peo-
pie of the city of Richmond will receive the proposition
of the gentleman from Logan, (Mr. FEReUsoS.) !
know some of them, but there are great many thnt
do not know and do not know enough OF them to
dertake to speak for them. Nor will undertake to sit
in judgment and tell them how, according to my no.
ton OF proprety, they ought to act will leave it to
them to give the auswerto kReel to the rod if their
temper submissive, to hur back an indignant def
ance If such be their spirit 1t for them TO speak and
not for ME to speak for them.
But thls Is really most extraordinary condition OF
things While We are here upon the heel Of pro-
acteo Debate upon question Of great interest to
ALL and to the Commonwealth, and while we have beer
struggling here man to in fair and manly combat
when an excitement has been gotten up in this city, UP
on the result OF which it is hoped that the course Of
fesensatves amongst lay be changed when the peo
Pc tns CITY are In commotion, and supposed 10 b
aoou. 70 ACT upon this great question: is remarkable
say, that The gentleman from Logan and Boone, (Mr
tERaUsoS) should hare found it compatible with hi.
duty to get up hero and make this open attempt to in
tuence their deliberations What is the appeals II
deserves little consideration II is this give the
white oas TO the west and the governmental power is
10 DC used lor the purpose of constructing those lines
improvement upon which the prosperity Of this city is
supposed to rest Give the white basis and the Cen
trial road Is to be built and an avenue opened to the
wes along which travel is to pour its streams and CON-
man from Logan, Mr. FERcusoN) those streams are to
be poured into Richmond But according 10 my friend
from Accomac, (aIr. WI,E) who aso think, address
cd good zeal Of his remarks to these dear friends
kehnond all Of this commerce was TO find it, way d.
feeNy 10 Norfolk, and another city which wa. to be
ouli upon our sea coast at York; ard Richmond
quote The gentlemans words-was to live upon its
'"1ppings." He used the word "drppings'
:. Mr. WISE. Yes sir, did; and say now again thai
Fou will give me the trade Of that rich back country
ouiS vi OUT OIL lS western cont
nent and the "drppings of the trade trarstu wout
De worth more than all that this dog u-the man ,er
policy gives younow
Mr. SCOTT. It was, however, but the " drippngs
of the trade that my friend from Accomac, (Mr WISE
held out as his bait to the city Of Richmond But tn
better and brighter hope His terms go beyond thos
oil the gentleman from Accomac. he will pour all TIT
cn trade here, and it is to be one upon the adoption
oil the white basis and according to the argument Of thu
gentleman from Aceomac, it can be done only upon thu
adoption Of that basis.
Now, the good people Of Richmond will see this thns
think in the light in which we see it. We all agree
to the importance of the construction Of the work The
fancy OF the gentleman from Accomac, when at its wild
st flights, does not depcta condition of things resu
from the construction of that work which exceeds m,
own sanguine expectations. have always bee, a
much friend to the construction of that road a. he is
aye, as ardent friend the gentleman from Logan
and could see that its construction be made to de-
pend upon the success of the white basis my desire
ace the improvement made would 70 very far to recon
Gle me to that obnoxious principle.
Dir. WISE. Thank God for that mxch
Mr.. SCOTT, Of Fauquier. Now let US lee what the
truth is with respect to this supposition With tn,
white basis it can be accomplished admit Can it no
be accomplished by the mixed basisf According to thu
white basis western Virginia gets the power in the lie
gislaure-t gets the control of Legislative action
gets the power to say whether this road shall be
strrcted how it shall be constructed what trace it shall
ioiio", anu Wuat terminus II Snail enc hit gets III
power to say whether it shall .tretch Itself down tn
valley to Baltimore, across the mountains to Norfolk
leaving its drppings by the way for Richmond Al
ais must be conceded, the white basis gives the
The power to settle. Now, what does The mixed basi
do. As the white basis gives the control to the west
70 The mixed basis retains it in the east. My frien
from Accomac tells US that trans-Alleghany and tide
wafer are natural allies, and that his purpose is by hi
course in this Convention 10 form perpetual alliaHc
between those two divisions.
Mr. WISE. Between all the divisions
Mr.. SCOTT. treaty offensive and defensive.
10 no, pretend to give the genteman's language -.
sir. WISE And not my idea. never have ad
ra;ccd that idea here.
M' SCOTT. The gentleman will excuse me- bu
" The herceness of his attack upon the intermediate
ps"hs-the ferceneso of his attack upon unfortunate
v'nont thought the proposition he started out with
maj Piedmont had been great robber and plum
mat the Valley had been guilty, though to les
lit Of the same offence, and he to cement al
'aa'e between Underwater and Trans.Allcghany tina
=" stop this system of plumber and make through
rt enehts from the west which >were to build u
''e;an righ,ivi o.
e.I lof. But the gentleman from Fauouier wen