Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-10
: the Enquirer.
TO THE PEOPLE OF BEDFORD AND CAMPBELL


Feou CIi>ens Seeing from some OF the public prints,
that nv course on the question Of the basis of
very much have thought II proper TO give
you my signature pain unvarnished statement
Of the have ict il my duty to pursue in an honest
endeavo carry views and preserve the and
harmony Of the STATE in order that you may be the better
enabled determine whether not have faithfully reflect
cd your will.
The basis of representation need inform you, has
been question OF great difficulty and embarrassment 10 the
Convention On side, have beheld the united
western and fragment of the delegation represent
ing large majority of the qualified voters OF the State SIREN
uousy contendng for equality Of representation as well as
eoalv al the polls the other sde have nearly
the en,e delegation from the East representing an immense
majority of the aXpayiug interest OF the Stale den'andg
protcction-not power for powers saEeont profession
the Legislature. As the humble representative oi large
eastern saveholding and taxpaying district nave con-
srnny abo.ei for constituents all the protection
which The mixed basis in its unmgaed form, could
al;rd and il was until after this cherished eastern
scheme had been tedy voted down IN committee o e
whole and there no reasonable prospect OF successfully
yiyns IT, that felt constrained by imperative sense OF
duty support the best compromise could get Feo"
citizens, respectfully submit could have violated my
pledges or your views in doing this Lei
me Briefly recall The various votes and the peculiar
circumstances attending them which have gwen accord
ing TO my best Judgment, in defence OF your interests.
Ii was not until the 3lst of April that the Convention
came To vote in Committee OF the Whole on the oasis quc
ton On that day voted against the suffrage oasts teP1
4 which was rejected and in favor OF the SUBSTITUTE OIL W
Rn f. Scott Of Fauouer which also rejected Can
INV one say that these votes were not In accora WI"
nv pledges your wishes felow-czens! Again. on the
oh uf the alternative proposition oil vi
summers OF Kanawha which proposed 10 submit the que
ion OF the basis OF representation to the decision the quail
flied of the States and on te same oay Vo'eu ~
yor of the amendment OF Mr. Beac Of Westmoreand Qhe
mixed basis except the free negro TAX which was defeated
then voted against striking out mixed basis proposition
Here now five votes from the record every one o when
cast in defence and support Of this mixed oasis-ye 10 my
surprise some of the papers Of the District have taken
options 10 my course. - ny. ,.,,,
n. rfR Ram
moved an adjournment upon the ground that compromise
# the basis question obviously essenal 10 preserve
no nrace and harmony of the State and he desired
h members To time consult freely together IN order
% see cOmpumse acceptable, II not satisfactory 10 oot
,ares could not be adopted Several members SPOKE oI
rave of the body among them Mr. wise and MI ocott o
Eluouier Mr. Scott advocated the adjournment and DE
ared his readiness concur in compromise Inc ao'
ournnrnt carried by large vote-ayes o. nays
rhe Eastern delegation remained in the Hall aftel tue 40
appointed committee 10 confer win suc'
committee the Western members might appoint upon e
subject OF compromise At night the two parties aSs
led the Western members appointed committee 10 NEE
he Eastern committee when the following pfoposuos, "
which respectfully invite your attention. were mutually
rendered and rejected:
PROPOSITIONS FROM EASTERN COMMITTEE
The Eastern Committee made successfully the three
'si"'"' FIRST PROPOSITION.
Resolved That House OF Delegates snail o "
drs ami hy.ix members and that representation sfe s"a
had upon :he qualified OF he sta:e go, ,o,.r m,
2 Resolved That Senate ahal consist OF MY o,v y
that representa- shall be based upon m @
The law process, anu '"e "f'' - =
negroes. ;,;,,., i, either 81 the tw,
Houses Of the Gene Assembly. be approved VI
other and Ill may amended by either HOUSE, WIN w
Resolved That The Legislature shall IN the year s ana ID es
cry ten wears thereafter re.appOi"n ~ 10
anJ in he senate upon principles slated IN The Isl az
@o' fe<'!e e'"'' SECOND PROPOSITION:
r,rvad Thar Ihe House Delegate. sai consist " one
a nl ,;v nrnbe and eishty.hve members lne!r" s
nc hn,c counties districts and cities lying West
arp pd n"nn,sin. and slxtyfve those counties
80 ,n s,,s. wing east the Blue Ridge OF mountains
HssnIrc5 That The Senate shall consist VI MY
,b, shall be based upon aHal -
M @ m licenses process aud the capitanon u"
Tb,, all laws maj originate in either Of the TWO House
i Assembly 10 be approved or rejected by the onI, f
and aI laws NAV be amended BY ethet 'u'e' VIII '
4 oi.e.. ,.,,-o I'M he 1862 and in ey
thereafter rpotion representation IN .e ~
Desaes i on ration excluding licenses law pre-
ce'o "'u e'i THIRD PROPOSITION.
i ITose OF Delegates shal consis. oi one hu
,,smberz serenyfve OF which SHAH DC apoluohe
10 ha,is and seventy five on taxes eaeIsl,eo 's
rcns Ia process and the capiatoh lA o W
Resolved That shall consist Oh my
therein shall based upon the guahed voters OF
state -,,x orrina,e in either House, and
tenosu The legislature shall the 1862 and IN eve
80, coI., Al. led in The and second resolutions
No Convention altcr"r anheoc this
unIes, Of as passed BY voe oil three u.
Ill N. emuers elected each House OF the Legislature anu
~. anal na..aee the and shall be ehef
upon the journal Of each house s5s.s