Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-03-11

nJc,ent tba Issue will be made up and can fairly try
or strength upon The time for steering at paper gar-
antics will have passed BY, and we can argue here
as brethren the great question wiG,hcr the .e' o.
inc and holding on with death-like grip to this
predominancy Of political power may not be accom-
plished and nj the same time full Justice be done tn our
Western friends There las been much said in the
of this debate in regard to this being mere strug
gle for political power. Now, As have before remarked
the district which have the honor in part here to
present has nothing do with any such struggle. Any
one who will take the trouble to examine into the sub
ect will be satisfied that by the adoption Of either
scheme, shall be left just where are We cannot
be affected by it. We are obnoxious TO no imputation
Of the kind, nor do believe that either party here
is. But there has been much said upon the subject
Of this being mere struggle for political power, the
amount of which ali imputation charge that gen,
temen are not candid or sincere in battling for thi
great principle. The West are told that what they pro
pose not only the assertion and establishment OF this
great principle Of republican government but that their
object torunt their arms up to the elbow into the public
treasury. believe that to be unjust well an
ungenerous impuation On the other hand, our East
friend, have been told that they have been vested
with this power by chance AZ least ii not hy
than chance, and that their desire tn hold To
it that they MAJ elect their governors and their ena
tors and exercise all those powers grateful 10 The
human mind. do not believe it, but the pro-
pose will test the sincerity Of gentlemen. While We
come here occupying dsinerested ground, of the
Valley do this subject, will fer to Eastern
friends these guarantees and ask that some OF them
representatives the most intelligent most astute most
sagacous and at the same time most liberal in their
sentiments, may be placed upon the committee, to join
in counsel with US and gentlemen from the est rs to
the best mode of procuring the protection to property
80 desired. am that my friend from Fauquicr
Indeed have been so told did not express the senti
mcnts of all the East in regard to this subject am
we'll aware of that also of the fact that it has been
said that there gentlemen here who have BEEN
improperly admit but very generally called copper
heads on this subject and who so for the mixed basis
per Sc without reference the ends be accomplished
BY it, except that of holding to the power do not
say that there are such gentlemen here but ask that
gentlemen from thu East of iberality of feeling this
subject. may be placed on this committee Now, when
we offer yo these guarantees, let gentlemen Try their
strength. Lei them show that they insufficient. OF
otherwise thcy subject themselves 10 the suspicion. II
least that il i the ut Of power that induces them &c
cling tenaciousy 10 the power which they now hold
On the other hand. present these guarantees to OIL
Western friends those deeply Interested in this sub
;cct of internal Improvements, and We ask that the re
representatives. of the Interests may be on me contee
~ show us wherein any particular limitation or propo
sto, will ,cc. the subject of Internal improvement
and to aver, any such evil. Then, when the work o
this committee is before the Convention, we vii
test their sincerity and ascertain whether they are alone
conte,ing for great principle, or whether !. true
"
mt the public treasury alone, which prompts this clano
for suffrage basis.
will ne, detuin the committee longer. | rIs, the
Convention will receive my apology Tor my occupy
ne thus much of the time of the convention Inc reso
luton is presented at this late day. when the neceS
tv for il has arisen and trust therefore, 1t will b. the
pleasure of the Convention to award Is this committee
hive no doubt that before another week closes they
will make their report and the debate VIII be directed
in its proper channel and that the result may be that
II IL in hnr
shall bring our labors to some sae, proper ana mar
,nonious conclusion.
Mr. NJ GARNETT. do not rise to make speech OF
to discern the proposition of the gentleman from Jefr
son. but coming from section which lave mere
oore believed to be doomed on this subject of taxation
rise to tender him thanks for the relief that c has
inst held out 70 US irha. proposition will raise the
hope among ms constituents the; day - mt last break
linz and that better days in store for them have
become perfectly satisfied of i,in, and that i that
SO far IL the region Of country c which came i con
ccrncd it i scarcc worth the cost OF Luton what
sort Of basis we have, unlcSs have something also
in the shane Of guarantees. have rather faith Ill
paper GUARANTEES than gentlemen though would
not bargain the basis for the guarantees shall 90 for
retaining .he mixed basis but | will very gladly take
with it all the guarantees which be offered want
all the guarantees can get. Laughter
Mr. JANNEY. | shall make no opposition to the
adoption of this resolution. am decidedly IN favor OF
its abortion and will say that have listened In some
Of the remarks of my friend (r HrsrER) with great
deal of pleasure although am not 20 sanSuc rs my
friend from Essex Now, if mistake not, this precise
duty of proposing guarantees was devo,ycd by reo
ton adopted in the month OF October last upon the BASIS
Committee | rise now to ask my friend from kanawha
the chairman Of that committee, if it is reasonable for III
Ia hone for any report from that committee THE sub
ject
Mr., SUMMERS. In reply to the inquiry of my
friend from Loudoun, Mr. JASSEY will say that 1t Is
very difficult for to state what may may not be
hopc,l for especially in relation to the committee oyci
which have the honor to preside. 1t will be remem
ber that the resolution adopted i'll October proposed
by the gentleman from Fauquer, believe or perhaps
il was a suggestion of the gentleman from Berkelv
adopted bv the gentleman from Fauquer, Imposed II
on thc Basis Committee duty to inquire into and re
port whether any, and if any, what limitations upon le
gsative power would be proper in connection with the
basis of representation The Committee the Basis, n:
you will remember, have made report in part, which
states that they have considered the subjects referred
them in part and have reported on the basis of re
presentation Whether it be the intention of the
committee TO examine the subject OF limitations up
ON legislative power, | have no means III stating
The commit ee still standing committee of the Con
vention although it has reported upon branch OF the
duties referred to them. and it will be competent for il
to 90 back and consider any other subject which has
been or which may hereafter be refer: cd to it.
am prepared to say now, however in answer to the
gentleman from Loudoun, that although am ready 10
consider all and any just limitations OF legislative pow
er as matter of general interest aud part and par
eel of the legislative branch of the yet do
not consider it expcdicn; to engra them part and
parcel of the basis Of representation not willing
to consider the matter Of guarantees and limitations
upon legislative power condition precedent TO an
equal division and apportionment of legislative pow.
er among the people of this Commonwealth. While
am willing to unite with those who propose guarantee
and limitations on legislative authority and at all
times am willing to unite with them in tho form OF
general clauses and provisions Of the constitution and not
rs connected with and made part and parcel Of the basis
of representation Now there is, presume, member
of the committee certainly with whom have the
pleasure to act so far know their opinions. who
unwilling to yield to gentlemen representing the east-
ern portion of this Commonwealth and every pro-
vision which they may deem essential and necessary for
the security of property be it of whatever kind may
Wo MI admit that the protection OF property Is of the
great objects here and everywhere Wears
ready to unite with you in the protection Of property.
whether it be of that particular species of property Of
which YOU have much larger amount east of The noun
tans, or any other species Of property We come here
ready to unite in any slavery measure which you may
devise and ask as proper and reasonable for the pro-
lection of this property and every species Of prop,
erty But YOU tell us when offer guarantees and
limitations upon legislative power that they are not
worth croat What have seen in this Convention.
Nv friend from Fauquer the gentleman who i'm
posed it as duty upon this Basis Committee to consic-
r on rnno.t ,nn, any and all limitations OF cglIsla