Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-27

i fer thi. pro ition or something equivalent,
himself will do it. After that distinct announceme
made here on this floor the gentleman from Rlchmot
# MIR SrAsARp gets up and asks if it is purpose aft
We get into the house. force this compromise throul
by the stringent influence Of the previous question
ask if it is fair that gentlemen who do not regard tn
question in the light in which the gentleman from Ric
+ mond does. and who consider this compromise ia
and honorable settlement, and who have announced
this body that they will submit proper nodfcaons
the suitable time as the report was hastily drawn W
shall not have the right to get the proposition into tn
house and pursu. their own course upon TINS SUBJECT
We have asked no one share the responsibility OF tn
sefcaled compromise as the gentleman from Rchlnou
styles it
Mr STANARD. l said, so called-improperly calle
compromise
Mr. MARTIN, of Henry Well :" so called, then.
regard it in different light l regard it, as 10 thos
who have acted with me, as u fair compromise as
surrender OF portion Of the rights OF TINS common
wealth. one upon which the east and the west cal
fairly stand ask if it is not fair that those gentemer
VINO entertain that opinion and who 90 mol, Ike ths
gentleman from Richmond, regard 1t rs 4 surrender
should have some extent the management of the mat
ter they think best hope it will be the pleasure
of my friend from Appomattox, (Mr Bocock') not to
press his amendment.
Mr. BOCOCk As stated in all candor, the PROPOSE
Ton make Is not hostile movement, and desire 1t
shall be frankly and fairly considered BY all sides of the
house cannot agree i'll the views presented by some,
hat this Is not the proper time consider It, because
1t seems to me the committee Of the whole IL the pro-
per place. Yet, inasmuch desire for it the calm
aud intelligent consideration of every member of the
committee, As well those who agree with about
it's terms as those who disagree; and desire all
should have fair Opportunity of examining it and de-
Gliding upon its real merits in order agree upon such
notifications will make it acceptable upon the
side the other shall, ut the suggestion of gen.
tlemen upon the other side and with the understanding
that the committee will give fair opportunity OF
bringing 1t up again, give notice that when the
committee rise will move to lay it upon the table in
order to have il printed
| Mr. WISE. You shall have every chance
Mr.. STANARD hope before my friend from Ap.
pomatox wthdrnws his proposition, that he will allow
lie to say single word in explanation.
Mr.. BOCOCk. Certainly.
Mr.. STANARD. desire to ray but II few words in
reference to the remarks which made respect to tis
compromise, i'll advocating this proposition to amend 50
that there may BIZ mistake to the position which
occupy upon this question. stated | cuncurrrd in
the sentiments which have been expressed by the gen
tltnan from Appomat.oX, aud concurrng regarded
this proposition compromise ut al but surrender
of the rights of the east in order that it might not BE-
supposed that advocating this amendment under
the IDEA that would vote for this p,sitOn although
the amendment to be adopted, | appealed as |
thought had right TO appeal, TO gentlemen upon the
other side of the house. who thought the amendment pro-
per- to adopt ii now rather than 90 into the house,
where au amendment of this kind any other proper
amendment night be off under the operation Of rules
which did not apply i'll committee of the whole
Mr.. BococKs amendment being withdrawn
Mr.. WISE move the proposition bc reported to
the House
The motion was agreed to- aud the committee accord
gly rose and reported the subject of the Basis to the
House
MrTAYLOR move that the reading of the report
be dispensed with and that the report aud amendments
be print ed for the Of the House.
The PRESIDENT The report ia not preparcdin form.
If the Convention make orer the report will be pre-
pared The form in which the report will be- printed
IS that they have amended thu report of the committee
OH the Basis of Representation by striking out prU)o.
sitions 4 and b. and inserting III lieu thereof certain
other propositions
Mr.. SUMMERS. presume it will not he necessary
to reprint propositions \ aud B. move to print the
amendments now reported 10y the Chalrial OF tue
committee OF the whole.
| The PRESIDENT. The amendments as reported by
the Chairman of the committee Of the whole, are all
that will BE- printed The other propositions will he
referred to by letter.
Mr.. WISE Now, address myself to the opponents
and friends of this measure | shall firmly maintain
this compromise n il may be amended by its friends,
but al the same time it is not worth maintaining unless
it can bear the brunt Of the fair test Of amendment
fair bona nd. propositions of amendment have SAID
10 gentlemen III the committee what will say to them
now, am convinced that this proposition, or sone-
thing like it, will be firmly maintained by its friends
and J. for one shall afford every opportunity for b"nd
ride attempts to amend it. But my desire is that
this measure should take this course and make the
suggestion permit to say without consultation with
one human being, member or not OF this House. from
east or west II shall be motion of my indepen
dent action for the benefit OF those who wish 10 see tt
proposition amended and in order that they may d
resi- their amendments | shall make the motion 10,
the benefit Of the proposition ITSELF that may be lait
aside in the Convention for while to be matured and
desire the Convention shall take up some other part
the constitution and refer it to the committee OF the
whole on the state Of the Union. Laughter.
Several VOICES. Agreed Agreed.
Mr.. WISE forgot myself. You know it is an ole
familiar phrase of mine having served long in t.
House OF Representatives But hope we are now IL
committee Of the whole the state of the unon-'
union of the State for the sake of the State 1t was nc
lapse of idea if it was htsts EnqWd. ] say now, rs
have said to the people before came here will not
vote for the surase basis without certain guarantee:
rendered to me in this constitution. | care not wha
basis Of representation you nre TO adopt there are Ger
tain clauses that must be inserted III this constitution
before vote for it.
ON this subject towards the east undertake TO pledge
for the west now that they will give reasonable
guarantee which shall ask. And say 1T distinctly, tt
be understood bv the west well as the east that by
that word guarantee mean something and not nothing
Ono of the dearest principles for which have beer
coutending in this body has been the suffrage basis
and have cputendcd for it with honest and an ear
nest zeal that l hope has satisfied every body that
have been in earnest And tell the friends o
the compromise, or the suffrage, or mixed basis thai
with the same earnestuess the snme zeal, care MOI
what basis of representation be adopted before CIV.
n final vote upon that question in Convention must
know whut is to be done in the legislative department
in other respects have welded the strength oi boil
nv arms to carry the right and left the rest to God SC
far as the basis Of representation is concerned hay,
con,cnded for constitutional form of government thai
shall give the power that which be longs to the munich
pa government the representatives of the people
government in which the governmental majority sinai
correspond to the majority at the polls In contenine
for that princisle meant to yield one moment
what seems to be with other gentlemen an antagonist
cal proposition that the minority is not entitled to IT.
protection care not whether the majority lies upoE
The east or the west side of the mountains, wherever
tn. minority lies it is entitled to the power And tn
very business of constitution is to impose limitations
on power, and those limitations such as are just an'
reasonable, for one determined t" have. say t
nv western friends they desert me in this they deser
friend that needs no certificate of his sincerity i'll hi
. advocacy of their cause; aud at the same time,
saw to eastern gentlemen now, for your protection, nj
inst as earnest and Jealous as am for the right of re