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

WI hetcneT, Dy % western members, and Eastern
members viz: Messrs. Arthur, Bowden, Fnney,
Wnefeld;
MIR Seymour, by Is Eastern members. and Vest
ern members, viz Messrs. Bland, Fulkerson, Kenney,
kllgore, knote, Letcher Stewart, Trigg and Williams
of s.;
Mr.. Edmunds, by 10 Eas'e,n members, and no West.
| ern member.
One OF the most remarkable circumstances ofths ex-
raodnary proceeding tie fact, that up to the day Of
lis occurrence, not Of The Eastern gentlemen who
were elected members of the committee except Mr.
Chiffon, had ever, in the Convention or in any public
manner, animated his disposition 10 vote for COM
promise OF the basi question. The unanimy OF the
| White basis members in voting Tor them furnishes I'm.
questionable evidence that their readiness to yield even
| more than the avowe d advocates of Compromise had
expressed Their will ing 10 grant, well undel-
stood. On subsequen day, indeed, when the report
| OF the &C mmtee flst under consideration in
comm ee OF Il e whole Mr. Finney disclosed the fact
| that his resolution 10 abandon the mixed basis was
made known to Mr.. Wise before the appointment Of
the committee, and attributed to that circumstance his
election. Conse queny, in voting against striking out
| proposition A. he was constrained to explain that he
did nt intend afterwards 10 for inserting it in the
Constitution. Mr. Claiborne Also in the same debate,
made n important explanation, the substance ofwhch
was thus reported in the Times:
"Mr. Claiborne interposed to make an EXPLANATION
in Justice TO Western gentlemen. On Sunday last,
| conversation occurred between himself and Western
member, and plan OF Compromise was talked over
lie mentioned 1t to several Eastern gentlemen, who
Goncured In the proprley of II compromise committee.
ne next morning, he informed that Western member
| and others that an Eastern member would offer mo
flon ior committee Ard that. he believed, the
h!s ntmation the Western members bad otthe propo.
| sltlon: 1t originated with Eastern gentlemen who
were III iavou! OF Compromise"
These statements obviously account tor the singular
and successful concert with which the friends of the
white basis acted in the appointment Of the commit
tee 1t should not be forgotten either that Mr. Chiffon
had distinctly avowed before the Convention his will
ngness to compromise upon the basis of surrendernq
the mixed basis at the end OF twelve or fifteen YEARS.
thus bringing himself perfectly within the Western uti-
nahum.
The Compromise committee, thus in the aggregate
and lndv idualy, forced upon the large majority of
Eastern members, by parliamentary manenvre, to
which lew Eastern delegates snttl aid took two
nights and day to determine upon a report.
Tuesday, May l3th-The Convention met and ad-
joured.
Wednesday, May l4h-Mr. Martin of Henry. thu
chairman OF the committee OF Compromise presented
Its report, providing that the House OF Delegates should
be SO apporoned to give the West IA majority. and
the Senate SO as to give the East 1Omaoriy and that,
Ia 1861 the Legislature should reapportion both Houses
and, II it could not agree upon an apportonment.
should submit the question of the basis of representa
ton to the qualified voters
The report was ordered to be printed and the Con-
venton adjourned.
Thursday, Nag 18Th. In committee of the whole
The question was stated 10 be striking out PROPOSE
non (which was yet sfanding) and Inserting the re-
port OF the compromise Committee
Mr Martin OF II stated the fact that the Eastern
members OF the committee had adopted proposition
suggested by Mr. Scott Of Fauquier as the basis other
negotiations; which proposition was to base the Senate
on taxation with an Eastern majority of IA. and the
House on The suffrage basis with Western majority of
IL; reapportonment on the same principles in 1861
and, ten years thereafter the two Houses.could NOT
agre upon an superintendent, the question 10 be sub.
mitted to the people.
MI. M. R. Fl. Garnett moved to strike out the conn.,
promise report and insert proposition providing for
Senate OF 81 on taxation, and House of l56 on suf
rage, with decennia reapportonments on the same
principles Afterwards Mr.. G. Withdrew so much Of
his motion proposed to insert new matter and the
question remained on striking ont the Compromise.
After debate, in which MIR. Finney and Mr.. Chi |
borne mace the explanations above referred to- the vote
was taken and the committee of the whole apreed tn |
strike out, ayes So, noes 81 All the white basis men,
bers and Messrs. Boacden, Chiffon Martin Of H. and
Wnsteld, voted in the negative. Messrs Arthur |
bots' Claiborne, Finney, Randolph and Saunders yo
ted with the body Of Eastern members in the af1irma
i've SO the Compromise was, on the first trial voted
down by majority of one.
Mr.. Bolts now offered his compromise pronos;,ion
providing tor equal representation in the two Houses
and declared that he would break the "wjsn Of straw,
that bound his Misunderstanding to the vote of the c
zens OF Richmond, nsructing their delegates TO sus-
tain the mixed basis. But Mr.. Edmunds moving 70
strike out the proposition, Mr. Bolts withdrew il for
the present.
Mf. w Use moved TO strike out proposition A. ex-
cept the first section which provided generally ,b.
the Legislature should consist of two Houses The |
vote was taken forthwith, and, as il first stood. it
was, ayes &c. noes 81. The white basis members and
Messs Bolts, Boaoden, Chiffon and Saunders. voted
IN Inc Affirmative. The change OF only one vote was
needed 10 reverse the result and before the vote was
announced ny the Secretary, Mr.. Martin of Henry,
VINO hao 'oed no, changed his vote to ave. go that
the vote OF the committee stood ayes 81, noes S.
So proposition A, after being once sustained bv
majority OF Jour,was now stricken out by majority
oone; and Messrs Botts Bowden, Chiffon. saunde,.
and M artin OF Henry responsible for the result.
Mr.. Bolts renewed his Compromise. and Mr. Ed.
munds moved to strike it out. The motion prevailed
ayes 6o, noes %; all the white basis members excent
Messfs White and Carter of Loudoun, with Messrs
hos Chiffon and Claiborne, voted in the negative
The other Eastern members present. including Messrs
White and Carter of L., voted ave.
Mr.. Wise moved to insert after the first section OF A |
proposition providing for Eastern majority OF 70 in
the House and Fin the Senate and reapportionment of
both Houses in 1861 and decennially thereafter on the
suffrage basis lie offered, however if Eastern men,
bers preferred it, to provide that the question of basis
should be submitted to the people in 1861
In the course otsome discussion that followed. Mr.. !
Wingiled, member of the Compromise committee.
declared that he was unwilling that the rennrr nt tho
---'---;..~ i~-id Nv v"'Ieu ny bare majority and it
had been carried by only one majority he himself
would have asked leave to change his vote so as 10
reject it.
Mr.. Martin, the chairman, of the COMMITTEES, endorsed
these declarations.
Mr.. Chiffon, the third Eastern member Of The con=