Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-23
THE CONVENTION AND THE QUESTION

THE CONVENTION AND THE QUESTION
OF REPRESENTATION
The public mind, for long time weared by pro-
tracted debate, became suddenly aroused short time
since, to intense anxiety the Convention proceeded
to act upon the great question OF representation.
The report OF the compromise committee, introduced
on Wednesday the 18th of May rejected on Thurs
day, was again broughtl forward Friday, and hav
ing supp anted whatever else had been offered was
Saturday reported from the committee OF the whole when
it was ordered to lie on the table and be printed On
Wednesday the 2lst Of May, it was finally adopted in
Convention and nothing remains of the basis question
to be settled, save its details.
IskDown to our readers how the report of the COM
mittee brought aboui how very obnoxious proved
to Eastern MEMBERS how earnestly they bated against
it, and by whose votes ts triumph achieved; but
much of the history of The proceeding and of the
duct OF the chief actors 10 it remains TO be told. And
now that the noise of the debate has subsidized and
the confusion of the strife passed away are enabled
to take calm survey ofthe field make up an account
OF the killed and wounded narrate the principal events
and bestow hitting notice upon the personages who hg-
ured conspicuously in the important scenes.
To understand the various evou;ions, and appreci-
ate properly the acts of Individuals it is necessary to
to the first steps taken the subject and trace
the history through every mutation down to the
full day on which the unfortunate measure was re-
ported to the Convention. The facts we shall state
can all be substanated by ndubtable authority.
The committee of twenty -four, composed of an
equal number of Eastern and Western members, una
bic to agree upon specific recommendation, reported
to the Convention two propositions designated in their
report schedules and B. containing respectively the
principles of the mixed and suffrage bases with appor-
tionmens according to each. 1t was unfortunate that
n Al
Of representation, and leave for future action the ad
ustment of deta lis, because in degree,
shall presently see owing the presence of the de-
| tails that the East early suffered embarrassment.
| Schedule A, of which alone we shall speak, ascer.
tanned the numbers of which the two Houses were to
be composed, prescribed biennial sessions and made
allotment OF and delegates amongst the coun
ties, cities and towns. Now upon all these details diffe
rences of opinion prevailed amongs the Eastern ine-
bers and not probable that they could be induced
| to vote in body for proposition containing them
especially as it was freely charged and believed
by some that the apportonment had been made to de-
part from just equality and bend to the purpose O.
party advantage Without serious notifications
therefore, it was not supposed that the entire body Of
Eastern members could be brought to vote for schedule
A. and any attempt to effect them liable to lead to
party discussions and beget enlargement rather than
harmonious feeling amongst the friends OF the mixed ba-
| sis.
| To cut loose from the Objectionable apporiionmen
and avoid the embarrassing details, when the report
the committee up tor consideration, Mr.. Scott Of
Fauquer offered his substitute, differing only in the alb.
sence of details from the schedule B, and in that form
the question debated. Developments respecting
tain members very Early excited the suspicious of some
fthe observant OF the friends of the mixed basis
causing them to doubt the practicabiliy of carrying
through this avorite scheme, and ncning their minds
seriously to the contemplation of compromise. But
STILL ii was in the last degree important to obtain in
committee victory, because upon such an exhibition
of strength, and with the ecat of in the first
conflict ofthe opposing hosts, the Eastern members
might dictate the terms of compromise But the sub
stitute defeated, and instead ofenoyng the advan
tages from success, the friends Of the mixed
basis compelled to suffer all the embarrassments
flowing from defeat.
This state of things might have been avoided by any
one of five Eastern gentlemen for the substitute was
lost by one voe Messrs Botts Boaoden Chiffon Ran
| dolph and Saunders voting with the West. From the
effects of this defeat the of the mixed basis
rallied and each Of the five gentlemen is entitled 10
the envabe distinction OF having by his single cote pro-
duced the result-a change of position by any one OF
| the number would have secured victory.
|
tadon, had been defeated motiono strike out, by
nine votes, the full Eastern majority, and Mr. SCOTS
substitute, with a slight modification, was again OF.
fered by Mr.. Beae, when, the declaration of Mr..
Bolts that he considered himself instructed by the re-
cent vote of Richmond to vote for the mixed basis as
contained in schedule A. and the promised adhesion OF
Messrs Chiffon and Randolph all OF whom had here.
| totore acted with the West the amendment with
drawn and the Eastern members determined to rally in
support OF that propositions it being understood that
after being reported to the Convention it should be
ferred to a Committee in order that the apporonment
might be revised and any inequality therein corrected.
Notwithstanding all this apparent concert, and the
favourable prospects OF schedule A, it believed
and upon certain information that in the ranks Of East.
ern members there some who, although they were
willing to aid in reporting this schedule to the Conven-
tion were yet bent compromise, as to have de-
termned to withhold their final support. The number
of these sufficient paraze the friends of the
mixed basis, and twas, therefore by Eastern mem
bers who perfectly to the Eastern cause but in
whose view on this point Of policy could not
not deemed expedent, 10 the then attitude of parties
| to precipilate vote upon the question.
| The intention of these gentlemen was known to bu
few, and unexpected defeat OF the iavourite scheme
at the last stage Of the proceeding, would have beer
but too we'll calculated TO distract the councils OF it
friends, and beget amongst them feelings of dsust anc
irritation that must have resulted in disastrous conse
| quences.
With an earnest DESIRE as we perfectly onvinced
to escape the dsorganzaton that follow the
defeat OF schedule A, and hope take advantage of the
then existing union of the Eastern members and the
apparent strength of the iavorte proposition, portion
OF those friendly to the mixed basis voted for the ad
tournament on Saturday the 10th OF May, for the pur
pose of giving opportunity 10 the opposing sides ,c
negotiate, without consraint, satisfactory adjustment
OF their differences; not doubling that it would be in
| ,he power of Eastern members 10 insist equa
and fair, honorable for both Sides aud safe for thu
| State.
| The nght after the adjournment. both parties cam,