Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-13

belief that they understand the peculiar interests of this
district much better than the delegates themselves who
havc been seccc, to represent those interests So
cros aud ingenious have been the arguments that have
been presented to the consideration of this body thaI
confess that upon occasions have almost been in
clneI to doubt whether these gentlemen ought not to
be allowed to take the entire control and management
Of the affairs OF this district Laughter. But when
it TO be announced it has been announced by
tie gentleman from Logan Mr.. FERGUSON, that the dele
gates from this district have actually voted to rob their
own constituents it does to TINT it imposes
obligation upon the part Of this delegation to say that if
snca should be the effect of any vote which they might
give the robbery would be M involuntary and unn-
tended one and one which all their judgment and skill
sre; for many of them at least-from the beginning,
| tls beer; cNcT;cd to nYold.
But permit me to remind gentlemen of what has &C.
cured in regard the proposition now before this com.
miee Have not the deegates-at least hrc out OF SIX
Of tho delegates of this dstrctvotcd over and over
again to substitute the proposition OF the gentleman
from Fauqucr Mr. ScoTr) and especially that propo'
son which was Invested of all apportlonment OF rep
rcsea:rn whatever and thereby calculated to correct
any grievance any improperly OF the aPPoftienmch,
Re gentlemen over the way who have manifested so
much Kindness ioc the people OF thus district nave UNI
| carmlv voted against that proposition.
Nr. FERGUSON. Gn his seat And always will.
Mr. DAVIS Aud the gentleman from Logan SAYS
that tlcy always will vote. Now think that gentle
be expected in regard his future action and influence,
ii the delegates from this district would not favor his
i:ivurtc scheme of the white basis.
Mr.. FERGUSON. l will tell the gentleman what !
did sax il lac will allow | never supposed that
snyth;is could say would influence any delegate from
the city Of Eiclm0nd They would have been of differ
.lt nl.te.i;, than supposed it otherwise had
occasion say nj time that upon my principles
ce, not vote - restrict any city, town community.
because save maintained that equal number of votes
1nIt
| rcaaiber that when addressing the committee
on this uhjec. stated distinctly that if the delegation
from Richmond those most interested in this question
led to deprive themselves of portion of their repre-
cn!atio. should then very probably aid them in do
ing under this mixed basis. That is what said did
not suppose ii would have any effect upon then-but
stated ii merely the effect of my policy, that could
not vote 10 deprive any body of their just rights upon
basis ;.at ted out to give just rights.
ir. DAVIS Then | understand the gentleman n
rotir. in revenge upon this subject.
Mr. FERGUSON No am not.
Mr.. DAVIS lie is voting against giving equality
now under This basis.
Mr.. FERGUSON. The basis is not upon the princi.
pie ct equality.
}I.. DAVIS Ii thia body adopt it as that principle
ought ii no, to be worked out according to the idea o.!
the ent~& Tor equality ought it not to be universal
in It's application
Bat did i.o. rise for the purpose of OBTAINING this
committee as long | have done. rose merely to
&c
abuse the public OF any idea that may have become
prevalent in this city, that their representatives would
stand by quietly and see them robbed OF portion of
their power conclude with the remark with which
commenced that the delegates of this district have hal
lnos difficult task to perform Upon the one hand
has been the whirlpool and upon the other hand the
rock, ard they have found great difficulty in steering
their safely and satisfactorily But hope that
Notwithstanding the difficulties that surround us.
NAV vet discharge our duty with satisfaction to our own
u,t.ti i,J+u mil
,tuents, assist in robbng others.
.ig. SCOTT Of Richmond | an very glad to fin
that there once time when we mis- ht possibly have
had OF the gentlemen from the west acting upon
ne principle cf Justice, and he ping the city Of Richmond
her equal share Of political power. But it
a;.a change has come their course o. c:io
III -" arn committing some outrage upon the ,en
tc;aan i.am boos. Mr. FEGGusoS )-most a.ciny
assure you. # we had chosen to put oHrsn:v il: IT,
market ard 9. YEA him the white basis We should
lavS had full share Of power without any Limitation
open the cites. Bu: have chosen TO stand npon The
mised basis, ana he he means to limit Is
Nnw reconcile this best sou call upon tho-c
vino are in i;,vor Of the mixed basis and those who
Opposes. to il too ii it is fixed upon us, to let il b.
carried out in its results its fullest extent AID yo;
against both the proposition Of the gentleman iro,
errico Mr. Bnrrs and the proposition of the gentle
nan from Franklin CIR. CLMBoESE) And | well tc!
gentlemen frankly why ] ask them 10 do it. We ar.
bit taking an niatory step this branch Of he
subject | hope to see proposition A reported TO ilr
Convention Just it is-unchanged in letter syllable
hope When il gets into the Convention to find
iorty Of thai Convention voting for the principle of tv
mixed basis and then sending the npportionment to
committee to arrange it there. When that shall b..
done my constituency will find where l stand upon the
question Of superintendent That is exactly what ask
gentlemen now TO do Do that and we shall have tn.
question closed upon but sent to committee Tor
the purpose OF arrangement.
Gentlemen shy that have stood by here anr had
r.;r constituents deprived of their full share of political
power under IL" mixed basis Who are they That make
thi; charge. II comes from the very men who have
lale this hall resound day after day and week after
week with appeals to Wonder galleries and whs are now
utterly ,;i.comcl. They profess very great regard
cr the retention OF al possible nower in Richmond and
their white .sis gives the city of Richmond anti
The county of Notwithstanding. the rural district
with the towa ,iist:c.-how many do think? Why
gives them four delegates in house Of one hundred
and ft;y-rx.
llr. FERGUSON. Are they entitled to anr more
rincr tia; ,,tsi>.
&ir SCOT!' III" gentleman asks if they ere ent;tl.
to any more under It. am looking a. tbs question IL
power that you talk about You say tr,. onr srs,er.
which give: to Richmond four delegates and to IL
county of leirico one delegate in house of one hun
tired and fifty rob them of potion of thnir nor,or
whilst a! the same time your own ruc gives them iss
representation in house of one hundred and f(tv-sy.
Sir, have been provoked .ito saying thus much this
morning. When the question OF apportion,nent comes
up for discussion here, trust shall he prepared to do
my duty M constituents and to the Commonwealth
of Virginia.
Dir. WALLACE. I do not wish to detain the com.
uitce ary length Of tine but representing in part one
If tic Cities wish briefly to state how shall vote on
this occasion shall vote against the amendment of u,
gentleman from lienrico, because my opinion it does
not change the scops and effect of the 9th section Of
proposition A. and is entirely unnecessary. shalt
vote against tho amendment Of the gentleman from
Franklin because while in principle it may be right to
cstrict the cities when they overgrown and NAV
exercise too much Influence the entire State, vet
situated as we are in the State of Virginia, with our
crcal interests small. and represented but feeblv
1t any rate in comparison with the rural strength of the
State think it would be unwsc and impolitic so to
estrict them
But am opposed to both of these amendments, be-
ause in them nothing else but m effort to embar
ass proprosition A and intend in good faith, fully
nd thoroughly to carry ont what know to be the will
+ my constituents and pass the mixed basis. find
hat the only way in which can pass the mixed basis
this time is by standing shoulder to shoulder and
citing through proposition precisely it stands
heae are the which influence to vote against
Ii amendments and particularly the two now before .
s. The gentleman from Taylor (Mr. ARMSTRONG; has
lluded to one of the counties of the district which