Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-02
STATE CONVENTION.

|
amendment offered by Mr. SAUNDERS to the auendmen
offered by Mr.. BORIS to Proposition A.
| Mr.. SAUNDERS asked leave to withdraw his PROPOSE
ton for the present.
Mr.. FINNEY objected but at the instance of friends
waived his objection.
| Mr. BowpEN said when he was a candidate he avow
ed himself the advocate of the Federal bssis of repre-
sentaon. He had never been convinced OF the philo
sophical propriety OF the mixed basis And he now
proposed to carry out his view OF the subject, by offer
| ing as an amendment to the amendment of Mr.. Bolts
proposition base representation in the two Houses
upon Federal numbers.
| Mr.. WISE asked ii the proposition provided any
mode of reapportionment
Mr. BowDEN said the proposition was written in the
last few nome nts and doubtless detective, but
could be pertectedhereafer.
Mr. WISE requested Mr. B. to postpone his motion
| Mr. BowpEN said he guided in great degree by
the views of Eastern gentlemen with whom he acted
and he could not defer his proposition.
Mr. Boris said this proposition would be to him per
soma lly entirely acceptable but his objection to it
that obnoxious to majority OF the voters, ano
would ensure the rejection of the Constitution. Fol
this reason he was TOR Compromse IL Inc gentle
position at this time, he would ask leave to withdraw
his own amendment.
Objection was made by Mr.. WATTS of N. and Mr.
Cox that it would be out OF order to withdraw ii, pend
| ing the amendment OF Mr.. Bowden.
Mr. SHEFFEY called for division OF the question, so
that the question should be striking out, and then in
sisted that was competent to grant leave withdraw
the proposition which moved to strike out.
After discussion by Messrs SHEFFEY, STANARD
CLAIBORNE and FLOYD, the Chair decided that the
mee could grant the leave;
| Mr. EDMUNDs inquired whether, il the leave were
granted, the amendment OF Mr.. BowDEN would 60
with that Of Mr.. Boris!
| The CHAIR decided that it would.
| Mr.. Boris explained that the reason why he wished
to withdraw his proposition, was that public meeting
of the citizens of Richmond was 10 be held Tomorrow
evening, to express their sentiments this basis ques-
ton. He desired to know their wishes, and appealed
to his oleaeues to go with him for posponng dec-
sion until their constituents could be heard from.
Mr. DAVIS professed himself believer in the right
of instructions. He held himself responsible to his
district. He understood his colleague (Mr. BoTTs)
held himself responsible only to the State. Here they
disagreed.
Mr. Boris. Would his colleague obey instructions
to vote for his tMr B's) Compromise?
Mr.. DAVIS. Yes sir.
Mr.. Boris. Why then will you not give opportunity
to them to declare their wishes7
Mr. DAVIS asked who made the call in the papers ?
| Mr.. Boris said he heard it was Democrat ofthis
city.
Mr. DAVIS proceeded to soy that his only objection
to granting the leave asked was that would take from
before the House The proposition OF the gentleman from
Mr. BEALE referred to a remark of Mr.. Shefey's
that the motion OF MIR. Boris was an appeal to the
courtesy Of the committee For his part, he was tired
OF these continued appeals to courtesy In all the
nails SUPPLEMENTARY bodies, majority displayed
so much courtesy this Eastern majority. If Mr..
Bolts was so anxious for time for elaboration, " by
he willing Yesterday have the vote taken his pro.
position? Mr.. Beae referred also to the fact that the
gentleman had already heard from three OF his consti-
tuences who had instructed him TO vote for the mixed
basis and he asked when Mr. Bolts zeal for the will Of
| his constituents had its birth
Mr.. Boris said his zeal for ascertainiDg the will ofhe
| PEOPLE was born with him. The two great opposing
propositions had both been voted down; schemes
had been brought forward upon which the people had
had no opportunity offorming opinions upon them
He said the Henrico instructions were given by not
more than six persons. He knew nothing Of those
from the two other counties.
MIR. CLAIBORNE claimed to be as much man Of cour-
tesy as any other member But this compromise pro-
posi- ion the property OF the House lie held mot
TO be right for this committee to permit it 10 be with
drawn merely in order that the people OF this district
might act upon it, He recited the issues made in his
canvass and declared his intention to stand firmly by
basis which would give protection to property. Ample
opportunity would be given in Convention for gentle
men TO modify any vote they might gyei in committee.
Mr. STANARD after the direct appeal OF his colleague
Mr. Botts) could not remain silent. lie repeated the
stages through which the question had passed In the
committee and observed that before the amendment of
Mr. Saunders offered the vote as about 10 be taken
striking out and inserting the proposition OF his
lie olleague.
Mr. Boris. TWAS simply on striking out A; and he
had twice announced to-day that his intention to
move posponement of the subject:
Mr.. STANARD said it must be within the recollection
Of every member that there no intimation of
motion to divide the question until the amendment Of
Mr.. Bowden offered and this discussion arose. If
this question 10 be put of until the people OF this
district had been heard from, would be claimed also for
other districts And where would be the end ot? What
was to become of the Convention? 1t had already
consumed so much time, that ithad become almost
abominaton in the sight Of the people. j..
Mr. Boris Mr. S. yielding) read from the Debates Of
the former Convention to sbew that Mr.. Stanard,
amongst other distinguished Eastern members. He said
he would cite father to son.
Mr.. STANARD asked upon what ground was that post
ponement agreed to? Was ii to allow the people of
this district and the whole State to make known their
opinious Not at all. The circumstances were, that
the motion of Judge Green to amend SO as to apporon
representation on white population and taxation
bined rejected. question then arose whether the
original proposition was to 'apporhon upon the basis OF
suffrage while population. And TO settle that ques-
ton the posponement was agreed to. Every gentleman
would have full opportunity hereafter to according
TO the ascertaned wishes of his constituents. if their
views should be found differ from his own, and he
saw no sufficient reason tor The delay.
Mr.. ANDERSON said according to his understanding,
the former Convention postponed the basis question Tor
two weeks chiefly with the view OF allowing the peo-
pie OF Albemarle district 10 instruct their delegates
Mr. STANARp. Will the gentleman allow me TO read
from the record?
Mr.. ANDERSON was not speaking OF the record, but of
what was the general understanding. 1t was known
that Mr. Gordon of Abemarle meant to offer compro
mise, and the Convention wished to ascertain popular
sentiment in regard 10 it.
Mr. STANARp said tho true reason was placed on the
record and read remarks OF Chapman johnson to show
Mr. ANDERSON said it well known that Mr..
Johnson, like the moderate men now, favourable
to compromise, and was therefore anxious to have
time for reflection.
Mr. SMITH, OF Greenbrer, who was member of the
former Convention said his recollection that the
object of the posponement 10 give time for nstruc
tons the delegates from Albemare and that region
OF country.
Mr. Boris had referred to the authority of the former
Convent only TO show that they did The very thing
he now proposed He cared not what their reason was
if we had better one now, let US act upon it,
MIR. M. GARRETT owed higher duty than that of
courtesy to a member and he should oppose every
propositions the effect Of which would be 10 prelong
the sittings of this Convention
Mr. Mason said he had no knowledge that there was
any motive that induced the posponement OF the basis
question n the late Convention, other than desire
carry on the suffrage and basis questions par passu and
not TO determine the qualification for suffrage first
Mr. FLOYD asked il instructions not sent up
from Albemare approving OF Gen. Gordon's Compro-